What are the prospects for talks to end Israel’s war on Gaza?
Discussions brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt to resume in Cairo. As Israel continues its relentless war on Gaza, Palestinians are pinning their hopes on talks that have paused in Doha but are set to resume in Cairo next week. Israel and Hamas are studying proposals from mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States. But what are the chances of a ceasefire this time? Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra Guests: Alon Pinkas – Former Israeli ambassador and previous government adviser Rami Khouri – Distinguished fellow at the American University of Beirut Niall Stanage – White House columnist for the publication, The Hill Adblock test (Why?)
Protesters rally in Venezuela’s capital as post-election crisis persists
Opposition protesters are taking to the streets of Venezuela’s capital once more to denounce the results of a recent election that saw President Nicolas Maduro secure another term in power. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged her supporters “to remain firm and united” in a social media post on Saturday, shortly after she called for people to demonstrate in hundreds of cities across the country and abroad. “We won’t leave the streets,” Machado told the crowd in Caracas, where hundreds of demonstrators waved the national flag and printed copies of election records that the opposition says is proof of its election victory. “With intelligence, prudence, resilience, boldness … peaceful protest is our right,” she said. The South American nation has seen weeks of unrest following the July 28 election, which opposition leaders said was marred by fraud. The National Electoral Council (CNE) formally declared Maduro the vote winner, saying in early August that he had secured 52 percent support compared with 43 percent for main opposition challenger Edmundo Gonzalez. However, the opposition has said its tally of the votes showed Gonzalez had defeated the incumbent, spurring international calls for Maduro’s government to release the full breakdown of votes. At least 25 people have been killed in post-election protests so far, with nearly 200 injured and more than 2,400 arrested — and the continued crisis has fuelled fears the Venezuelan authorities could launch a wider crackdown on opposition leaders and protesters. Reporting from Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Saturday, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo said relatives of many of those who have been detained in recent weeks in Venezuela say they don’t know where their loved-ones are. “Human rights organisations [have been] expressing their concern about what’s been happening,” Bo reported. “The opposition have asked people to gather with their families at protests, saying Venezuelans should remain united … They have also asked people to go with Venezuela flags and tally sheets — the centre of the dispute,” Bo said. “Until now, the Venezuelan government has been unable to provide proof of the election results,” she added. “The government is saying that the system was hacked and that’s why the results have not been provided.” Machado, who had her presidential candidacy blocked by institutions loyal to Maduro, is expected to take part in the march in the capital, Caracas, on Saturday. A heavy security presence was deployed in the city before the start of the rally. Access to the vast Petare neighbourhood, a few kilometres from the opposition’s announced gathering point, was controlled by two National Guard armoured vehicles and backed by about 40 motorcycle-mounted troops. Local media reported similar deployments in other key areas. “I came today to support Maria Corina and Edmundo to be able to have a future in this country and have a family,” Jesus Aguilar, a 21-year-old theology student, said at the rally in Caracas. “We know that with this government there are no possibilities for growth, I’ve even seen myself trying to leave the country.” Maduro, who came to power in 2013 following the death of his mentor and predecessor Hugo Chavez, has presided over an economic collapse that has pushed millions of people to leave Venezuela over the past years. In the aftermath of July’s election, he accused his political opponents of trying to carry out a “coup d’etat”, and he has called for the arrests of Machado and Gonzalez. “Maduro says there is a plan by the opposition to get him out of office,” Al Jazeera’s Bo reported, noting that the Venezuelan leader has accused the United States of being involved, as well. Maduro’s government also urged its supporters to take to the streets later on Saturday as the embattled president continues to strike a defiant tone. But Maduro continues to face both domestic and international pressure to provide a full accounting of the vote. Last week, Colombia and Brazil called for new elections in Venezuela, but Machado — the opposition leader — said this would show “a lack of respect” for the popular will already expressed on July 28. On Friday, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, traditionally a left-wing ally of Maduro, took a harsh tone, describing the regime in Caracas as “very unpleasant” as he insisted it release a detailed vote breakdown. In a radio interview, Lula declined to label the Maduro government a dictatorship, but said it had an “authoritarian bias”. The Organization of American States (OAS) approved a resolution in Washington on Friday urging Caracas to “expeditiously publish the presidential election records, including the voting results at the level of each polling station”. In a joint statement that same day, the European Union and 22 other countries also called for an “impartial verification” of the election outcome. Meanwhile, protests also broke out in other countries around the world to show support for the Venezuelan opposition. Australia held one of the first demonstrations on Saturday, where more than 100 Venezuelans rallied in Sydney, waving national flags. “This is a strong message to our people in Venezuela. We are with you, and we want the world to listen to what we are saying,” protest organiser Rina Rivas told the AFP news agency. Members of the Venezuelan community also rallied in Melbourne. Members of the Venezuelan community protest the recent election results in Venezuela during a rally in Melbourne, Australia [William West/AFP] Adblock test (Why?)
As DNC approaches, party remains at impasse with with anti-Israel ‘uncommitted’ movement
Of the thousands of delegates expected to gather Monday at the Democratic National Convention, just 36 will belong to the “uncommitted” movement sparked by dissatisfaction with President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war. But that small core has outsized influence. Anger over U.S. backing for Israel’s offensive in Gaza could generate unwelcome images for convention organizers, with raucous protests expected outside and potentially inside the Chicago arena where Harris will accept the nomination Thursday. CHAOS ERUPTS AT KAMALA HARRIS NYC EVENT AS DNC BRACES FOR CHICAGO UNREST Top Democrats have spent weeks meeting with “uncommitted” voters and their allies — including a previously unreported sit-down between Vice President Kamala Harris and the mayor of Dearborn, Michigan — in an effort to respond to criticism in key swing states like Michigan, which has a significant Arab American population. Months of meetings and phone calls between pro-Palestinian activists and the Harris campaign have fallen into an effective impasse. The activists want Harris to endorse an arms embargo on Israel and a permanent cease-fire. Harris has supported Biden’s negotiations for a cease-fire but rejected an arms embargo. Rima Mohammad, one of Michigan’s two “uncommitted” delegates, said she sees the convention as a chance to share their movement’s concerns with the party leadership. “It is a way for protesters outside to be able to share their frustration with the party,” she said. Questions remain about the leverage “uncommitted” voters hold now that Biden has stepped aside and Harris has taken his place. Democrats have seen a significant surge in enthusiasm for Harris’ campaign and concerns about voter apathy in key areas, such as Detroit’s large Black population, appear to have diminished. But Harris and her team have still made communication with Arab American leaders a priority. During a campaign trip to Michigan last week, Harris met with Abdullah Hammoud, the 34-year-old mayor of Dearborn, a Detroit suburb that has the largest number of Arab Americans of any city in the United States. The meeting was disclosed by a person who was not authorized to discuss it publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The person familiar with the meeting did not provide specific details but said the focus was on Harris’ potential policy, if elected, on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hammoud declined to comment. “Vice President Harris supports the deals currently on the table for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and for the release of hostages,” her campaign said in a statement. “She will continue to meet with leaders from Palestinian, Muslim, Israeli and Jewish communities, as she has throughout her vice presidency.” Campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez on Thursday held separate one-on-one meetings with leaders in the Arab American community and “uncommitted” movement in metro Detroit. “They are listening and we are talking,” said Osama Siblani, publisher of The Arab American News, who met with Chavez Rodriguez. “But none of us can garner votes in the community without public statements from Harris. She doesn’t need us; she can win over votes by saying and doing the right thing.” According to Siblani, Chavez Rodriguez agreed that “the killing has to stop.” In response, Siblani said he pressed: “How? There is no plan.” Lavora Barnes, the Democratic chair in Michigan, said the party would “continue working toward our goal of coming together to defeat Donald Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot.” “We are committed to continuing these conversations with community leaders, activists and organizations because we want to ensure that everyone in the Michigan Democratic Party has a seat at the table,” Barnes said in a statement. Some on the Democratic Party’s left have called for including a moratorium on the use of U.S.-made weapons by Israel in the platform of policy goals that will be approved during next week’s convention. But such language isn’t included in a draft platform party officials released earlier this summer, and it’s unlikely that those close to Harris’ campaign would endorse including it. The Uncommitted National Movement has also requested a speaking slot at the convention for a doctor who has worked on the frontlines in Gaza, along with a leader of the movement. And they have asked for a meeting with Harris “to discuss updating the Gaza policy in hopes of stopping the flow of unconditional weapons and bombs” to Israel, said Abbas Alawieh, another “uncommitted” delegate from Michigan and one of the founders of the movement. Before a Harris rally just outside Detroit last week, Alawieh and Layla Elabed, co-founders of the movement, briefly met with the vice president. They requested a formal meeting with Harris and urged her to support an embargo on weapons shipments to Israel. According to them, Harris seemed open to the idea of meeting. However, shortly after news of the meeting became public, Harris’ national security adviser Phil Gordon reaffirmed that she does not support an arms embargo. Alawieh mentioned Wednesday that the group has not received any further response from Harris’ team or the DNC regarding their requests ahead of the convention. “I hope she doesn’t miss the opportunity to unite the party,” said Alawieh. Elsewhere in metro Detroit this week, Massad Boulos, the father-in-law of Trump’s youngest daughter and now a leader in his Arab American outreach, was holding meetings with various community groups. Boulos has come to Michigan often for the outreach, along with Arab Americans for Trump chair Bishara Bahbah. According to Bahbah, their pitch highlights the situation in Gaza under Biden’s administration and a promise from Trump’s team to give the community a seat at the table if he wins. “We have been told by the Trump circle, which is not part of the campaign, that in return for our votes, there would be a seat at the table and a voice to be heard,” said Bahbah. But any apparent political opportunity for Trump in the Arab American community or the “uncommitted” movement may be limited by his past remarks and policies. Many Arabs remain offended by Trump’s ban, while in office, on immigration
‘Uddhav Thackeray ready to support, but…’: Sanjay Raut on MVA’s CM face in Maharashtra
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Saturday that party chief Uddhav Thackeray never said that he would become the Chief Minister and if the Congress or NCP (SCP) has any face, then Uddhav is ready to lend support.
Chicago mayor warns influx of illegal migrants could come to city before Democratic convention: report
The mayor of Chicago is warning that thousands of migrants could arrive in the city ahead of the Democratic National Convention. While previous estimates of over 20,000 migrants arriving in the city seem to have been assuaged, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration still expects several hundred migrants ahead of the convention — arrivals via bus that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office has confirmed. “Until President Biden and Border Czar Harris step up and do their jobs to secure the border, Texas will continue busing migrants to sanctuary cities across the country like Chicago to provide much-needed relief to our overwhelmed border towns,” Abbott’s office told the Daily Mail this week. US OFFICIALS NAB PERUVIAN GANG LEADER WANTED FOR NEARLY 2 DOZEN KILLINGS IN HOME COUNTRY: ‘SIGNIFICANT THREAT’ “We realistically expect 750-1,000 new arrivals next week, if that,” said Andre Gordillo, the director of migrant assistance group New Vecinos Program. The majority of migrants entering Chicago are transported into the city by the government of Texas, which is seeking to alleviate the economic and social burdens of rampant illegal migration into border towns. Beatriz Ponce de León, the Chicago deputy mayor for immigration, warned last month that the city could receive as many as 25,000 migrants ahead of the convention. HAITIAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH RAPING PREGNANT WOMAN AT MASSACHUSETTS MIGRANT MOTEL She walked back that grim prediction on Tuesday, telling reporters that such a massive influx is no longer expected. “We at this point do not have any credible intel that there will be a large surge in terms of buses coming from Texas,” Ponce de León told the Chicago Tribune on Tuesday. The far lower numbers of expected arrivals is a relief to city officials as Chicago prepares to host the Democratic National Convention next week. Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz are slated to accept the Democratic Party’s presidential and vice-presidential nominations at the convention. A correction to the nation’s rampant illegal immigration problem remains one of the most important issues for U.S. voters across the country.
Trump recruits Tulsi Gabbard for debate prep after she ‘dominated’ Harris in 2019 primary
She memorably took down Kamala Harris in a viral debate exchange in 2019 and now former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been enlisted by former president Trump to give him some valuable insights ahead of his upcoming debates against the 2024 Democratic nominee. Gabbard, who ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primary, has been recruited by Trump to help him sharpen his preparation ahead of the debates, Fox News Digital has learned. The former congresswoman memorably scorched Harris in a 2019 primary debate where she hammered Harris for jailing hundreds of Californians for marijuana violations while she was attorney general, yet bragged about her own use of the drug. KAMALA HARRIS IS AN ‘EMPTY SUIT’ AND CAMPAIGN HANDLERS ARE WORRIED, SAYS TULSI GABBARD “She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana,” Gabbard said on the debate stage. Gabbard has already taken part in a practice session with former president Trump at his private club and home, Mar-a-Lago, The New York Times reports. Trump’s campaign team confirmed that Gabbard has been enlisted by Trump to debate prep and cited her performance in the debates for the 2020 election. “President Trump has proven to be one of the best debaters in political history as evidenced by his knockout blow to Joe Biden,” Trump’s National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. “He does not need traditional debate prep but will continue to meet with respected policy advisors and effective communicators like Tulsi Gabbard, who successfully dominated Kamala Harris on the debate stage in 2020.” Gabbard dumped the Democrat Party two years ago to become an independent and has become a fixture among conservatives and was even touted as a potential running mate for former President Trump. KAMALA HARRIS’ RECORD AS PROSECUTOR IN CALIFORNIA SPELLS ‘TROUBLE’ FOR PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: LAWYER In the viral 2019 exchange, Gabbard said she was “deeply concerned” about Harris’ record as a prosecutor. “She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California, and she fought to keep a cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way,” Gabbrad said. Harris responded by saying she helped reform the criminal justice system in California “which became a national model for the work that needs to be done.” She also said she supported legalizing marijuana in the U.S. “I am proud of that work, and I am proud of making a decision to not just give fancy speeches or be in a legislative body and give speeches on the floor, but actually doing the work,” Harris retorted. Harris previously held the office of San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General prior to her position as vice president. On Thursday, Gabbard labeled Harris an “empty suit,” arguing her campaign “handlers” are worried about what will happen if she has to explain her policy positions. “I think she revealed in that [July 2019] debate the same thing that I think her campaign handlers are worried about right now… Kamala Harris is an empty suit,” Gabbard said on “America’s Newsroom”. “They are trying to create this new version of Kamala Harris to match what their pollsters are telling them, so she can say whatever she needs to say to try to win over voters, which is the most offensive thing because they think we’re so stupid as to forget what her record actually is.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Referring to her 2019 debate with Harris, Gabbard said the exchange exposed the vice-president’s hypocrisy, which is still relevant to this year’s election. “What she said was very different than what she actually did, and she had no answer for it,” Gabbard said. “She had no explanation. She didn’t even try to own or justify what her actions were. And that’s going to be the key thing here for voters as we head into this election is Kamala Harris will say whatever she thinks she needs to say.”
Ex-Jharkhand CM Champai Soren to join BJP ahead of assembly polls? He says…
There has been intense speculation on the future status of Champai Soren, the former Chief Minister, who had stepped into the role when Hemant Soren was arrested in connection with an alleged land scam case
Is India at risk of mpox outbreak? Here’s what health ministry said
In view of the World Health Organization (WHO) again declaring Monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern on August 14, a detailed review of the situation and the preparedness was taken by Union Health Minister J P Nadda at the meeting with the senior officials of his ministry.
Delhi-NCR weather update: Rain lashes several parts of Capital, IMD predicts rain till this day; check full forecast
“Rain will reduce in Delhi from today onwards. There is a possibility of light rain today and tomorrow, the day after tomorrow the rain is likely to end. After that light rain will start again,” IMD scientist Soma Sen told ANI.
Trump accuses Harris of ‘Soviet style’ policies following price control proposal
Former President Donald Trump accused Vice President Kamala Harris of pushing “Soviet style” economic policies after she announced her intention to introduce price controls on groceries. The Harris campaign announced on Wednesday that she would institute a “federal ban on price gouging on food and groceries” as president in an attempt to stop “big corporations” from taking advantage of consumers. “If you think things are expensive now, they will get 100 times WORSE if Kamala gets four years as President. Under her plan, Kamala will implement SOVIET Style Price Controls,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday. ECONOMIC COMMMENTATOR WARNS HARRIS’ PRICE CONTROL PLAN ALREADY TRIED IN ‘VENEZUELA, ARGENTINA, SOVIET UNION’ The former president continued, “She will abolish private health care, and make California’s ridiculous tax policies the law of the land, meaning EVERY American will be taxed up to 80% of their income! If you want more CASH and less TAX, VOTE TRUMP!!!” Harris floated the idea of price controls earlier this week, stating that “there’s a big difference between fair pricing in competitive markets and excessive prices unrelated to the costs of doing business” — adding that “Americans can see that difference in their grocery bills.” The announcement widespread criticism from commentators and economists who compared the idea to failed communist economies across the world. DAVE RAMSEY EXPLAINS WHY KAMALA HARRIS’ PRICE CONTROL PLAN WILL NOT CURB INFLATION: ‘IT’S NOT SUSTAINABLE’ A Harvard economist who worked in President Obama’s administration ripped Harris’ plan to curb inflation as not based in “reality.” “This is not sensible policy, and I think the biggest hope is that it ends up being a lot of rhetoric and no reality,” Jason Furman, the former National Economic Council chair under Obama, told The New York Times in a report published Friday. “There’s no upside here, and there is some downside.” Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell criticized Vice President Harris’ proposal to implement federal price controls in order to stop “price gouging” on groceries. CRITICS BLAST HARRIS’ GRASP OF INFLATION, ATTACK ON BUSINESS AHEAD OF POLICY SPEECH: ‘LUNATIC BEHAVIOR’ “It’s hard to exaggerate how bad this policy is,” Rampell wrote in an op-ed published on Thursday. “It is, in all but name, a sweeping set of government-enforced price controls across every industry, not only food. Supply and demand would no longer determine prices or profit levels. Far-off Washington bureaucrats would. The FTC would be able to tell, say, a Kroger in Ohio the acceptable price it can charge for milk.” Rampell, who is also an economic commentator for CNN, compared the proposed controls to policies in the Soviet Union and other community countries. “We’ve seen this kind of thing tried in lots of other countries before; Venezuela, Argentina, the Soviet Union, et cetera. It leads to shortages, it leads to black markets, you know, plenty of uncertainty,” she said. “And beyond that, the specific way this bill is written might actually increase prices because of some of the other language in it, things like requiring companies — public companies to disclose in their quarterly reports, their quarterly earnings reports, how they’re setting prices, which is a great way to help them collude, which normally we don’t want them to do,” she explained. Fox News Digital’s Jeffrey Clark and Kristine Parks contributed to this report.