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Nayib Bukele officially re-elected El Salvador president

Diplomat Times
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Nayib Bukele officially re-elected El Salvador president

Nayib Bukele officially re-elected El Salvador president

San Salvador, SALVADOR (EFE) – El Salvador’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on Friday declared Nayib Bukele the winner of the presidential election with 82.66 percent of the vote.

The current president and winner of reelection, Nayib Bukele, greets from the National Palace with his wife Gabriela Rodríguez de Bukele in San Salvador, El Salvador, 04 February 2024. EFE FILE/Bienvenido Velasco

TSE judge Dora Martínez announced in a press conference that Bukele’s ruling Nuevas Ideas party garnered a total of 2,700,725 votes (82.66 percent), the leftist Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front obtained 204,167 (6.25 percent) and the right-wing Nationalist Republican Alliance got 177,881 (5.44 percent).

READ MORE : El Salvador’s Bukele has everyone’s attention as he seeks reelection in spite of the constitution

The humanist center party Nuestro Tiempo, which participated for the first time, obtained 65,076 (1.99 percent) and the Fuerza Solidaria and Fraternidad Patriota Salvadoreña parties registered 23,473 (0.72 percent) and 19,293 (0.59 percent), respectively.

Martínez said that 6,214,399 citizens were eligible to vote and 3,268,466 voted, with a participation level of 52.60 percent. There were 15,064 abstentions (0.46 percent) and 1,760 contested votes (0.05 percent).

Shortly before the results were made official, Bukele took to social media.

“In 2019, we won the presidency in the first round, with more votes than all other parties combined. But in 2024 we won with practically all the votes of all the parties of 2019, together, including ourselves. Thank God. Thank you Salvadoran people,” the president wrote.

The message was accompanied by a graph that highlighted the enormous difference in votes with respect to his opponents.

The results show that support for Bukele increased, given that in his first presidential elections he took 1,434,856 votes – equivalent to 53.10 percent, while the two traditional parties saw their support drop.

Last Sunday night Bukele proclaimed himself the winner with more than 85 percent of the votes, while the total number of voters and the percentage of abstentionism were still known.

Bukele is the first president of El Salvador to be re-elected, despite the constitutional ban, since the country left a decades-long military dictatorship and entered democracy. EFE

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Former DEA informant given life sentence in Haiti assassination case by US Court

Endrit Pjetri
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Former DEA informant given life sentence in Haiti assassination case by US Court

Former DEA informant given life sentence in Haiti assassination case by US Court

Washington, USA (EFE) – Former US Drug Enforcement Administration informant Joseph Vincent was sentenced to life in prison in Miami, Florida, on Friday for his role in the 2021 assassination of Haiti president Jovenel Moïse.

Haiti President Jovenel Moise and senior government officials commemorate the 10th anniversary of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010 with a ceremony held in the community of Saint -Christophe, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Jan. 12, 2020. EFE FILE/Jean Marc Herve Abelard

Among the 11 defendants charged with involvement in a scheme to oust Moise by dispatching a group of Colombian mercenaries to assassinate him at his Port-au-Prince home, two individuals are implicated. Of the four individuals sentenced in Miami thus far, all have been handed life sentences.

READ MORE : Biden issues order at Israeli settlers who perpetrate violence in West Bank

“Please forgive me for what I did,” Vincent, 58, said before his sentencing.

Two months ago, the Haitian-American pleaded guilty to participating in the plot to kill 53-year-old Moïse at his home in Port-au-Prince.

The former DEA informant, who is the fourth of the 11 defendants sentenced to life imprisonment in this case, admitted to having discussed the plot and accompanying accomplices to Moïse’s residence.

It is believed that during these meetings Vincent wore a US State Department pin to make others think he worked for Washington.

In addition, another suspect pleaded guilty on Friday to submitting false or misleading information in the case.

Vincent’s trial was held in Florida because the US Department of Justice ruled that it fell within its jurisdiction, since part of the planning took place in the state.

According to Miami court documents cited by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), between February and July 2021, “South Florida served as a central location for planning and financing the plot to oust Moïse from power and replace him with someone who would serve the co-conspirators’ political goals and financial interests.”

Moïse was tortured and murdered in the early hours of July 7, 2021 in his home in the Pétion-Ville sector of Port-au-Prince by a group of mostly Colombian mercenaries. His wife Martine Moïse was injured in the attack and transferred to Miami.

Former Haitian senator Joseph Joel John, Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jaar and former Colombian military officer German Alejandro Rivera García have also been sentenced to life imprisonment in Miami for their roles in the murder.

Since Moïse’s assassination, the country has been controlled by violent armed criminal gangs that have caused a humanitarian crisis and thousands of forced displacements.

The United Nations declared that January had been the most violent month in the country in more than two years, with some 1,100 dead, injured or kidnapped. EFE

(This story has not been created by Diplomat Times’s staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed, edit by Endrit Pjetri)

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Indian PM Modi’s Visit to UAE Scheduled for February 13-14; Set to Inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s First Hindu Temple

Shasi Kumar
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Indian PM Modi’s Visit to UAE Scheduled for February 13-14; Set to Inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s First Hindu Temple

Indian PM Modi’s Visit to UAE Scheduled for February 13-14; Set to Inaugurate Abu Dhabi’s First Hindu Temple

New Delhi, INDIA (DT) – Indian Prime Minister will ceremonially open the BAPS Mandir, Abu Dhabi’s inaugural Hindu temple. Additionally, he will deliver remarks to the Indian community in the UAE during an event at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.

The Ministry of External Affairs has officially announced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s itinerary, affirming that he will embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13 to February 14, 2024.

READ MORE : 75th Republic Day : French President Macron to arrive in India, will tour pink city, Jaipur with PM Modi today

Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit marks his seventh to the UAE since 2015 and his third in the last eight months. During the trip, he will engage in bilateral discussions with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, to explore avenues for enhancing the strategic partnership between the two nations. They will also exchange perspectives on mutual regional and global concerns.

The Prime Minister will also convene with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defense Minister of the UAE. Upon Sheikh Mohammed’s invitation, the Prime Minister will attend the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai as the Guest of Honour. He will deliver a special keynote address during the Summit.

India and the UAE share robust, multifaceted relations characterized by strong political, cultural, and economic ties. Since Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s significant visit to the UAE in August 2015, bilateral relations have advanced to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In February 2022, both nations signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), followed by the establishment of a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System in July 2023, aimed at facilitating cross-border transactions using the Indian Rupee and AED.

The two nations stand as each other’s primary trading partners, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately US$ 85 billion in 2022-23. Moreover, the UAE ranks among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments during the same period.

Comprising approximately 3.5 million individuals, the dynamic and resilient Indian community constitutes the largest expatriate group in the UAE. Their constructive and valued contributions to the host country’s development serve as a significant pillar of the outstanding bilateral relationship between India and the UAE.

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ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim’s Maiden Visit to India, Strengthening Diplomatic Ties and Fostering Greater Cooperation

Shasi Kumar
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ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim’s Maiden Visit to India, Strengthening Diplomatic Ties and Fostering Greater Cooperation

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim’s Maiden Visit to India, Strengthening Diplomatic Ties and Fostering Greater Cooperation

JAKARTA/NEW DELHI (DT) – At the invitation of the Government of India, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN’s Secretary-General, embarks on his first official visit to India from 11-15 February 2024 to strengthen strategic ties and engage in high-profile meetings. The visit includes a lecture at Sapru House, a tour of the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, and an address at Nalanda University, highlighting the shared cultural heritage and promoting dialogue on the future of ASEAN-India relations.

READ MORE : ASEAN has concurred to allow Laos to continue the outcomes of Indonesia’s chairmanship

During the visit, Secretary-General of ASEAN is scheduled to have meetings with the External Affairs Minister and other dignitaries in Delhi. He will deliver the Sapru House Lecture organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) on the theme”The ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the Evolving Regional Architecture”.

File Photo : Secretary-General of ASEAN holds interview with Viet Nam News Agency on May. 3, 2024. Photo : ASEAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN will visit the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Gaya. He is scheduled to deliver an address on “The Future of ASEAN: ASEAN’s Relevance and Resilience in the Evolving Strategic Environment” at the Nalanda University in Rajgir. Students from ASEAN Member States pursue higher education at the University under ASEAN-India cooperation projects. The Nalanda University also leads the ASEAN-India Network of Universities (AINU).

Engagement with ASEAN is an important pillar of India’s Act East Policy, which has entered into its 10th year in 2024, as well as its vision for the wider Indo-Pacific. In 2022, the ASEAN-India relations were elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. India firmly supports ASEAN centrality and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). India also supports the priorities set by Lao PDR in its ASEAN Chairmanship for the year 2024 under the theme ”ASEAN: Enhancing Conectivity and Resilience”.

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Japan announces a 2.4 billion yen grant aid package for Samoa, signaling a commitment to enhancing bilateral relations

Shasi Kumar
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Japan announces a 2.4 billion yen grant aid package for Samoa, signaling a commitment to enhancing bilateral relations

Japan announces a 2.4 billion yen grant aid package for Samoa, signaling a commitment to enhancing bilateral relations

Apia, SAMOA (KYODO/DT) – Tokyo on Saturday promised 2.4 billion yen ($16 million) in grant aid to Samoa to help improve a national university’s facilities, as Japan’s foreign minister met the Pacific island nation’s prime minister in an effort to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

During their talks in the Samoan capital of Apia, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, who also serves as foreign minister, discussed the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting scheduled for July in Tokyo, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

READ MORE : Japan Extends $10 Million Grant Aid to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya in Horn of Africa

Japan has been seeking to deepen ties with the island nation located in the South Pacific, where China has been increasing its influence. The funding will go to the National University of Samoa, which is located in Apia.

Minister Kamikawa also touched on the “kizuna” between the two countries, such as the activities of the JICA’s Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, which is running over a half century in Samoa, and the Ministers reaffirmed that Japan and Samoa have built cordial and cooperative relations over the years, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year.

In response, Prime Minister Fiame expressed her gratitude for the support from the Government and people of Japan in providing cooperation to Samoa, including the one for the improvement of the facilities at Faculty of Health Science in National University of Samoa.

In this group photo, Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa H.E. Senta Keisuke, left, Foreign Minister Ms. Kamikawa, second left,  second right, FIAME Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Foreign Affairs, Samoa. Photo MFA, Japan

Minister Kamikawa stated that, as the world is at a turning point in history, she would like to strengthen their relations with trust based on shared values and principles between Japan and the Pacific Island countries, including Samoa, attaching the importance to regional unity and cohesion, and made discussions on the PALM process as well as its development direction. During the discussion, while she mentioned the importance of regional unity, Prime Minister Fiame expressed her expectation for the PALM 10.

Regarding the discharge of the ALPS treated water into the sea, Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude to the Prime Minister for sincerely listening to Japan’s explanations.

She also mentioned about the first IAEA Report since the start of the discharge of ALPS treated water, and stated that Japan, with the continued engagement with IAEA, would continue to provide sincere explanations based on scientific evidence, including monitoring results, to provide reassurance.

China has been a fierce opponent of the releases since before they began in August last year, citing its potential negative impact on human health and the environment.

Kamikawa and Mata’afa also spoke about the importance of addressing climate change, according to the ministry.

Kamikawa is the first Japanese foreign minister to visit Samoa. She is set to attend a ministerial gathering with the 18 Pacific Islands Forum members to be held in Fiji on Monday.

Minister Kamikawa stated that the climate change is the urgent challenge for both Japan and Samoa as island countries, and expressed her hope that the Pacific Climate Change Center (PCCC) in Samoa that she was visiting on that day would become a center for developing its own human resources and sharing information and technology in cooperation with Japan. The ministers confirmed the importance of their putting efforts in particular toward PALM 10 on climate change.

The ministers exchanged views on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Minister Kamikawa mentioned that Japan is vigorously promoting WPS as part of its major foreign policy, and held a discussion on reviewing cooperation for the common challenges shared with Pacific island countries, such as disaster prevention and response, by incorporating WPS perspectives.

Prime Minister Fiame renewed her wish for the swift recovery from the damages caused by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and Minister Kamikawa responded with her gratitude and presented the gift, which is a box foiled with Kanazawa gold leaf, in the hope of supporting the affected areas.

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Japan Extends $10 Million Grant Aid to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya in Horn of Africa

Shasi Kumar
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Japan Extends $10 Million Grant Aid to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya in Horn of Africa

Japan Extends $10 Million Grant Aid to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya in Horn of Africa

Tokyo, JAPAN (DT) – During today’s cabinet meeting, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, announced a significant move by the Government of Japan. A total of USD 10 million in Emergency Grant Aid will be extended to Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya in the Horn of Africa.

The decision comes as these countries grapple with a severe humanitarian crisis compounded by factors such as a prolonged drought spanning three years and the recent surge in global food and energy prices due to the unfolding international situation. The devastating floods at the end of the previous year exacerbated the already dire circumstances, prompting Japan to intervene to address the pressing humanitarian needs.

READ MORE : Japan’s ‘Moon Sniper,’ successfully lands on the moon but encounters a power-related issue

The Emergency Grant Aid aims to provide crucial humanitarian assistance, focusing on areas like shelter provision, water, and sanitation. International organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will be instrumental in facilitating the distribution of aid. Recognizing the vital importance of water and sanitation for human security, Japan emphasizes the necessity of ensuring access to these basic necessities.

Moreover, climate change poses a growing threat, increasing the risk of water-related disasters. Approximately 80% of natural disasters worldwide are attributed to water-related causes. In response, Japan leads the “Kumamoto Initiative for Water,” an initiative aimed at both mitigating and adapting to climate change by preventing water-related disasters.

Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, who served as a Special Envoy of the Prime Minister at the third United Nations (UN) Water Conference last March, reiterated the critical importance of integrated water resources management. She emphasized the need for comprehensive measures, including watershed management, to proactively prevent floods and minimize damages when they occur.

Japan remains committed to enhancing cooperation in this vital area, reaffirming its dedication to addressing the challenges posed by water-related disasters and promoting sustainable development in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

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‘Dynasty Emerging’ as President Jokowi’s Influence Looms Over General Elections

Diplomat Times
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‘Dynasty Emerging’ as President Jokowi’s Influence Looms Over General Elections

‘Dynasty Emerging’ as President Jokowi’s Influence Looms Over General Elections

Channel News Asia

Indonesia’s Feb 14 presidential election seems to be dominated more by one man than the three candidates themselves. CNA traces how events to strengthen President Joko Widodo’s legacy have shaped the polls and the country’s politics.

JAKARTA: In what became an iconic event, on Jan 24, reporters crouched in front of Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the tarmac of a Jakarta air force base as they posed him a question that has surfaced repeatedly in the lead-up to the country’s upcoming presidential election: Is the sitting president allowed to take sides for the Feb 14 poll?

This query sums up how the president is proving to be a new kingmaker in Indonesian politics and how the looming poll has turned out to centre more around Jokowi – as he is widely known – than the three presidential candidates themselves: Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo.

READ MORE : Indonesian presidential hopefuls are trying social media, K-pop to win young voters. Will it work?

Through various moves and remarks, the president has stamped his mark on the election, sparking allegations of him interfering in the electoral process, swaying voters’ support towards his preferred candidate, and seeking to extend his political influence after his presidency ends.

Advocates of fair and democratic elections say the president should remain neutral during the hustings, though the law does not ban state officials from engaging in campaign activities, albeit with certain conditions.

Beyond legal technicalities, however, observers noted how events in recent months and years bear the clues of efforts by Jokowi and the fruition of a strategy that was possibly some years in the making to create his own political dynasty beyond the election.

It started as early as 2019 when rumours of a potential third term for Jokowi surfaced – with some saying he should stay on to steer the country out of the pandemic – despite the constitution limiting the president to two terms.

Then there was the quick ascension of his politically inexperienced children into prominent political roles within various parties and regional governments.

All this culminated in a Constitutional Court decision last October that allowed Jokowi’s elder son Gibran Rakabuming Raka to run for vice-president alongside Mr Prabowo, despite not being of the minimum age as stipulated by law.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo speaks at an Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) event in Jakarta on Jun 24, 2023. (Photo: CNA/Danang Wisanggeni)

Analysts told CNA that Jokowi intends to cement his legacy to ensure his defining policies – some of which have faced challenges – are continued, and that his consistently high approval ratings show he has the leeway to achieve this through perceived undemocratic manoeuvres.

These controversial moves always seem to implicate those closely linked to Jokowi – though never himself – and have raised accusations that the president was orchestrating a masterplan with the chips falling in place just as Indonesia heads to the polls.

Mr Gibran’s partnership with Mr Prabowo has all but confirmed which candidate pair will score Jokowi’s backing. While there have been not-so-subtle clues, Jokowi has not publicly vouched for them.

Back on Jan 24 at the Halim Perdanakusumah Air Base, with the reporters crouching before the new kingmaker-president, it was time to hear from the horse’s mouth.

“A president may campaign. We may take sides. We are public officials, as well as politicians,” Jokowi was quoted as saying by local media, as he stood next to Mr Prabowo – the current Defence Minister – after overseeing the delivery of military planes.

When asked if he himself was taking any side, Jokowi replied with his own question. “Do I?” he said with a smile.

CNA looks back at various events in recent years that have been singled out as moves pivotal to Jokowi’s ability to influence the election and to set up his political dynasty, with observers weighing in on what these moves could mean for Indonesian politics going forward.

Read the full article on Channel News Asia This report is auto-generated from CNA, Diplomat Times holds no responsibility for its content.

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India’s Kohli to miss rest of England series due to personal reason

Diplomat Times
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India’s Kohli to miss rest of England series due to personal reason

India’s Kohli to miss rest of England series due to personal reason

New Delhi, India (Agencies) – India batsman Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the remaining three tests of their five-match home series with England for personal reasons, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Saturday.


Kohli pulled out of the first two tests, also for personal reasons. The Indian cricket board said in a statement that it fully respected and supported the player’s decision.

READ MORE : India vs. England : India beat England by 106 runs to level series


The 35-year-old former captain, who has scored nearly 9,000 runs in 113 tests, will miss an entire home series for the first time in his career.

England won the opening test by 28 runs in Hyderabad before the hosts levelled the series at 1-1 with a 106-run victory at Visakhapatnam this week.

The third test will be held in Rajkot from Thursday, with matches to follow at Ranchi and Dharamsala.

The injured duo of batter KL Rahul and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the second match, were recalled to the 17-man squad announced by the BCCI for the final three tests. They will only play subject to fitness clearance from the medical team.

The injured duo of batter KL Rahul and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who missed the second match, were recalled to the 17-man squad announced by the BCCI for the final three tests. They will only play subject to fitness clearance from the medical team.

Source : Reuters

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Kim pledges to ‘terminate’ any nation that launches an attack on North Korea

Um Kwang Ho
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Kim pledges to ‘terminate’ any nation that launches an attack on North Korea

Kim pledges to ‘terminate’ any nation that launches an attack on North Korea

Seoul, SOUTH KOREA(EFE) – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un he will not hesitate to “end” any adversary that uses force against Pyongyang, and once again described the South as its most “hostile” nation in a speech published Friday by state media.

Kim spoke during a commemorative event held Thursday during a visit to the North Korean Ministry of National Defense, to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the country’s army.

“If our enemies dare to use force against our country, we will make a bold decision that will change history and will not hesitate to mobilize all the superpowers at our disposal to put an end to them,” Kim said in his speech reported by the state agency KCNA.

READ MORE : US, Japan, South Korea defence chiefs to share North Korea missile data in December

The North Korean dictator also once again called South Korea the North’s main “hostile” nation and a “puppet” country, and highlighted the national policy to “occupy and pacify their territory in case of emergency” for the “nation’s eternal security and future peace and stability.”

A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on 09 February 2024 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his daughter Kim Ju-ae attending a banquet celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) in Pyongyang, North Korea, 08 February 2024. EFE/EPA/KCNA EDITORIAL USE ONLY EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Kim also noted that peace “is not something to be begged for or exchanged for through negotiation,” and reaffirmed that the North has “shaken off the unrealistic constraints of having to strive for formal dialogue or cooperation” with the South.

North Korea also announced the previous day that it has abolished a series of laws for economic cooperation with the South, another gesture that worsens bilateral ties.

After the failure of denuclearization talks with the US in 2019, North Korea has opted to modernize its weapons, reject offers of dialogue and get closer to Beijing and Moscow, with whom it has exchanged weapons, while Seoul and Washington have reinforced their deterrence mechanisms and military cooperation, taking the peninsula to new levels of tension.

North Korea’s Kim was accompanied at the army anniversary celebration by his daughter Kim Ju-ae, who has appeared by his side at many public events and whom South Korean intelligence sees as his most likely successor. EFE

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Gaza: UN health agency warns over continuing attacks on healthcare

Diplomat Times
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Gaza: UN health agency warns over continuing attacks on healthcare

Gaza: UN health agency warns over continuing attacks on healthcare

UN News : Peace and Conflict

The unrelenting war in Gaza hasn’t spared hospitals, their staff or the people sheltering there, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, as it unveiled data indicating more than 350 attacks on healthcare in the enclave since hostilities erupted.

A total of 645 people have died since 7 October and another 818 were injured as a result of these incidents, said WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic, his comments coming amid allegations that a nurse was shot and critically injured while inside an operating theatre at a hospital in Khan Younis.

“These attacks have affected 98 healthcare facilities including 27 hospitals damaged out of 36 and affected 90 ambulances, including 50 which sustained damage,” Mr. Jazarevic told journalists in Geneva.

READ MORE : Gaza death toll crosses 24,000 in over 100 days of conflict

Driven out


In its latest update on the crisis, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported more “intense fighting” in Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Thursday involving shelling and heavy gunfire.

Citing UN partner the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PCRS), the UN aid coordination office said that Nasser hospital and Al Amal hospital – reportedly under siege for 17 days – had continued to be particularly badly affected by the violence which “is driving thousands of people” from the city further south, to Rafah.

Hospital focus


The OCHA update also relayed reports from the Gazan health authority of continuing “allegations of sniper shooting in the vicinity of Nasser hospital” and allegations that the Israeli military had prevented the movement of ambulances and access to Nasser hospital.

Hostilities in Gaza and Israel have created appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma across Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The international community has a responsibility to use all its influence to prevent further escalation and end this crisis..

UN Secretary-General António Guterres 

“On 8 February, a nurse was reportedly shot and critically injured while inside the operations room in Nasser hospital and two Palestinians were reportedly shot and killed in the vicinity of the hospital,” the OCHA update said. “On 7 February, a Palestinian woman was reportedly shot and killed while purportedly fetching water from Nasser hospital.”

West Bank escalation


Latest WHO data also highlighted the growing number of attacks on healthcare in the occupied West Bank since the Gaza-Israel war erupted on 7 October, after widely condemned Hamas-led terror attacks left 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals butchered and more than 250 taken hostage.

Some 364 attacks (on healthcare) have happened in the West Bank, resulting in 10 fatalities and 62 injuries, Mr. Jasarevic said. He noted that 44 health facilities had been affected, including 15 mobile clinics and 24 ambulances.

The latest toll from the fighting in Gaza is at least 27,840 fatalities with more than 67,300 injured, according to the local health authority. As of 8 February, 225 Israeli soldiers have been killed with 1,314 injured in Gaza since the beginning of the ground operation, according to the Israeli military.

Renewed famine fears


UN humanitarians continued to highlight that the risk of famine in Gaza is increasing “by the day”, particularly in northern Gaza.

Hundreds of thousands of people there have been “predominantly cut off from assistance”, OCHA said, despite the fact that this is where the greatest needs are, with many reportedly grinding animal feed to make flour.

Since the onset of the crisis, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 1,940 trucks – 19 per cent of all aid trucks, it said – carrying over 32,413 tons of life-saving food supplies.

The last time the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was able to carry out a food distribution in the north of Wadi Gaza was 23 January, OCHA’s update noted.

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