Author: Amanda Martinez

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for three hours, describing the meeting as “positive” and conducted in “good spirit.” Blinken’s ninth trip to the region aims to secure a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. Optimism about a deal emerged after talks resumed in Doha last week. However, Hamas dismisses suggestions of progress as an “illusion.” Key issues remain contested, including the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Earlier, Blinken met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, emphasizing the urgency of securing a ceasefire and hostage release deal. “This is probably the best, maybe…

Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, is surprisingly moving from behind bars by applying to become the chancellor of Oxford University, where he studied in 1972. His adviser confirmed that Khan applied before the deadline. Khan, a former cricket star and an honorary fellow of Oxford’s Keble College, is eyeing the ceremonial role of chancellor. University graduates and academic staff will vote for the position online on October 28. Khan’s adviser posted on social media, “We look forward to everyone’s support for a historic campaign.” Candidates must not hold current student, employee, or political office holder status to be eligible.…

President Joe Biden has voiced hope regarding the likelihood of a Gaza ceasefire deal. He said that the parties are now closer to a deal than they have ever been. According to Biden’s announcement following recent talks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be travelling to Israel to forward these initiatives. Amid worries about possible Iranian reprisals for the murder of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, Biden asked all concerned parties to refrain from taking any steps that would compromise the process. Hamas has expressed doubt about the likelihood of an agreement. Israel has acknowledged the efforts of the US and…

A nationwide doctors’ strike in India has intensified protests over the brutal rape and murder of a female colleague in Kolkata. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) shut down non-essential hospital services, demanding justice and better protection for women. The IMA condemned last week’s killing as a “barbaric crime” that highlights the lack of safe spaces for women. They demand stronger laws to protect medical staff from violence and increased hospital security. Protesters demanded better protection for women and justice for the victim’s family after a mob attacked the hospital where the victim worked. The IMA demands a thorough investigation and…

The Thai parliament has named Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of billionaire and former politician Thaksin Shinawatra, as prime minister. At 37, Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the nation’s youngest and second female prime minister, following her aunt Yingluck. Days after the constitutional court dismissed former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Paetongtarn was appointed by the Pheu Thai Party. Despite placing second in the 2023 polls, Pheu Thai formed a ruling coalition. Her role involves the challenging task of reviving the economy while steering clear of military coups. She must also navigate legal issues that plagued her family’s past administrations. Parliament endorsed her on Friday…

Hurricane Ernesto intensifies as it heads toward Bermuda, with winds reaching 100mph. The storm previously left over 410,000 customers without power in Puerto Rico. Ernesto is expected to strengthen further, potentially becoming a major hurricane by Friday. The US National Hurricane Center warns of destructive waves and significant coastal flooding. As Bermuda prepares for impact, forecasters remind us climate change fuels more intense storms like Ernesto. In Puerto Rico, Luma Energy has deployed 1,500 employees to restore electricity, a daunting task given the island’s history of hurricane-related power grid failures. Notably, Hurricane Fiona knocked out power for almost a month…

Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks have resumed in Qatar, but hopes for a breakthrough are low. The negotiations aim to end the 10-month conflict that has killed over 40,000 Palestinians and displaced millions. The talks stalled after Hamas’s leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran last month. Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel, raising fears of a wider escalation. Hamas refuses to participate in the indirect negotiations, accusing Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of adding new conditions to the proposed deal. Netanyahu denies this, calling the claims “false.” The proposed deal outlines a six-week ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal from populated areas, and…

Following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, tens of thousands of women in West Bengal marched through the streets on Wednesday night to demonstrate their solidarity. The Kolkata women’s protest for justice came after nearly a week of protests ignited by the brutal killing of the 31-year-old trainee doctor. She had collapsed in a training room after a 36-hour shift due to the lack of a designated rest area. The following day, her colleagues found her partially clothed body on the stage, marked by numerous injuries. Police apprehended a hospital volunteer worker…

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, of Saudi Arabia, expressed his concerns about the dangers he faces to U.S. lawmakers. He shared this information as the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel discussed a potential groundbreaking agreement to normalize ties between the two countries. The crown prince insisted that any deal must include a natural path to establishing a Palestinian state, especially as Arab anger has intensified since the Gaza war. A former U.S. official was one of the three people aware of the talks and said they were serious and strategic. They say that Mohammed bin Salman’s…

Fumio Kishida, the Prime Minister of Japan, has submitted his resignation, effective next month. He made this decision in response to persistently low approval ratings and controversies involving his party’s finances. His tenure has centered on his economic policies, particularly addressing the yen’s depreciation. The yen’s recent decline to a 40-year low against the dollar has eroded consumer confidence in an economy that was progressively recovering from deflation, negatively impacting food and petroleum prices. Despite this impediment, Kishida’s economic reforms in Japan have prioritized wage increases as a fundamental component of his new capitalism strategy. Kishida resigned due to economic…

Belgorod, Russia, has declared a state of emergency following attacks from Ukraine on the Russian border region. Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov described the situation as highly challenging. Governor Gladkov stated in a video shared on social media that Ukrainian drones targeted the village of Ustinka and the city of Shebekino. Although no casualties have been reported so far, the attacks have raised significant concerns about the region’s security. Following the unexpected cross-border attack by Ukraine in the Kursk region last week, which led to mass evacuations and the declaration of a state of emergency by Russian President Vladimir Putin, this…

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been ousted by the country’s Constitutional Court for violating ethics rules. This decision marks the third time in 16 years that the court has removed a PM from office. Srettha’s downfall came after he appointed a former lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, to his cabinet despite Chuenban’s previous conviction for attempted bribery. Although Chuenban resigned after 19 days, the court ruled that Srettha’s actions showed “defiant behavior” and violated the Constitution. The 62-year-old Srettha has been in power for less than a year, and his removal will lead to an interim leader taking over until a…