Worst floods in decades kill 29 in Somalia, hit towns across East Africa
MOGADISHU (Reuters) – The worst flooding to hit Somalia in decades has killed 29 people and forced more than 300,000 to flee their homes, the National Disaster Management Agency said on Wednesday, following heavy rains that have inundated towns across East Africa.
Authorities have scrambled to rescue thousands of stranded people from the floodwater, which comes on the heels of the region’s worst drought in 40 years.
“What is going on today is the worst for decades. It is worse than even the 1997 floods,” said Hassan Isse, managing director of the Somali Disaster Management Agency (SOMDA).
The death toll and numbers of people displaced were likely to rise further, Isse said, because many people were trapped by floodwaters.
“I do not remember such floods in my life,” said Mohamed Farah, a local elder in Baidoa city, in southwest Somalia. “People keep on evacuating looking for high ground.”
At least 2,400 people have been cut off in Luuq town, where the Jubba River burst its banks, the United Nations has said.
“Luuq is surrounded by the river and floods are threatening us. People keep fleeing out of the town. Some are still trapped. Our shops have been washed away,” said Ahmed Nur, a trader in Luuq.
Floods in neighbouring Kenya have killed at least 15 people and submerged a bridge in Uganda, cutting off a road linking Kampala to oilfields in the northwest, the Kenya Red Cross and Uganda’s road authority said.
The regional deluge was caused by the combined effect of two weather phenomenons, El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole, said Nazanine Moshiri, a climate analyst at the International Crisis Group.
El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole are climate patterns that impact ocean surface temperatures and cause above-average rainfall.
“The impact of the flooding is much worse because the soil is so damaged from an unprecedented recent drought – years of conflict and al Shabaab militia’s presence also makes building flood defences and resilience more complex and costly,” Moshiri said.
Scientists say climate change is causing more intense and more frequent extreme weather events. In response, African leaders have proposed new global taxes and reforms to international financial institutions to help fund climate change action.
Reporting by Abdi Sheikh, Elias Biryabarema and Hereward Holland; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Alex Richardson
NATO freezes a Cold War-era security pact after Russia pulls out, raising questions on arms control
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO member countries that signed a key Cold War-era security treaty froze their participation in the pact on Tuesday just hours after Russia pulled out, raising fresh questions about the future of arms control agreements in Europe.
Many of NATO’s 31 allies are parties to the Treaty of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which was aimed at preventing Cold War rivals from massing forces at or near their mutual borders. The CFE was signed in November 1990 as the Soviet bloc was crumbling but was not fully ratified until two years later.
NATO said that Tuesday’s action by its signatory members was required because “a situation whereby Allied State Parties abide by the Treaty, while Russia does not, would be unsustainable.”
Earlier in the day, Moscow said it had finalized its withdrawal from the treaty. The long-expected move, which the Kremlin blamed in part on NATO’s continued expansion closer to Russia’s borders, came after lawmakers in Moscow approved a bill proposed by President Vladimir Putin denouncing the CFE.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said suspending the obligations by Washington and its allies will strengthen NATO’s “deterrence and defense capacity by removing restrictions that impact planning, deployments, and exercises -– restrictions that no longer bind Russia after Moscow’s withdrawal.”
Russia’s actions “further demonstrates Moscow’s continued disregard for arms control,” he added.
The German Foreign Ministry underscored that Berlin and its allies are not pulling out of the treaty. “In the case of a fundamental change in Russia’s behavior, a renewed implementation of the CFE remains possible,” it said.
The ministry said Germany intends to stick to the national limits for weapons systems in the treaty. It criticized Moscow’s withdrawal, saying that “Russia is destroying another pillar of our European security and arms control architecture.”
“Securing a balanced conventional potential of forces in Europe cannot be realized without the involvement of Russia,” it added.
The treaty was one of a number of major arms control treaties involving Russia and the U.S. that has been crippled in recent years.
Last week, Putin signed a bill revoking Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a move that he said was needed to establish parity with the United States.
In February, with U.S.-Russia tensions running high over Ukraine, Moscow suspended its participation in the New START Treaty, the last arms control pact that remains between the two countries.
Both countries also pulled out of the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019, blaming each other for violations.
The INF Treaty, which was signed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, banned the production, testing and deployment of land-based cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,410 miles).
William Alberque, director of Strategy, Technology and Arms Control at The International Institute for Strategic Studies, expressed concern that another arms control treaty is under threat.
“What is needed right now is more transparency, more risk reduction, more what we would call guardrails on competition,” he said. “We basically need to manage the competition so that it doesn’t spiral into crippling arms races.”
When it was signed, the CFE envisaged weapons limits for the Warsaw Pact and NATO, but the Warsaw Pact ceased to exist shortly after it was signed. Unsuccessful attempts were made to renegotiate its conditions.
Russian President Vladmir Putin, right, listens to Russia First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov during their meeting at the Kremlin, in Moscow,Russia, Tuesday,Nov.7,2023. Photo : Gavril Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool/AP
Russia suspended its participation in 2007, and in 2015 announced its intention to completely withdraw.
In February 2022, Putin sent hundreds of thousands of Russian troops into Ukraine, which also shares borders with NATO members that signed the CFE: Poland, Romania and Hungary.
Announcing Moscow’s withdrawal from the treaty had been completed, the Russian Foreign Ministry blamed the U.S. and its allies for the move as well as the West’s allegedly “destructive position” on the treaty.
“We left the door open for a dialogue on ways to restore the viability of conventional arms control in Europe,” it said. “However, our opponents did not take advantage of this opportunity.”
The ministry said that “even the formal preservation” of the treaty has become “unacceptable from the point of view of Russia’s fundamental security interests,” citing developments in Ukraine and NATO’s recent expansion.
NATO said its members remain committed “to reduce military risk, and prevent misperceptions and conflicts.” It said the alliance will continue to “consult on and assess the implications of the current security environment and its impact on the security” of the Euro-Atlantic region.
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Morris reported from Tallinn, Estonia. Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed.
Blinken seeks G7 unity on Israel-Hamas war among items on crisis-heavy global agenda
TOKYO (AP) — Fresh from a whirlwind tour of the Middle East, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken shifted his intense diplomacy on the Israel-Hamas war to Asia on Tuesday with an appeal for the Group of Seven leading industrial democracies to forge consensus on how to deal with the crisis.
As he and his G7 counterparts began two days of talks in Japan, Blinken said it was critically important for the group to show unity as it has over Russia’s war in Ukraine and other major issues and prevent existing differences on Gaza from deepening.
“This is a very important moment as well for the G7 to come together in the face of this crisis and to speak, as we do, with one clear voice,” Blinken told Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, shortly after talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
The devastating monthlong conflict in Gaza and efforts to ease the dire humanitarian impacts of Israel’s response to the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas attack will be a major focus of the meeting. Yet with the Russia-Ukraine war, fears North Korea may be readying a new nuclear test, and concerns about China’s increasing global assertiveness, it is far from the only crisis on the agenda.
In Tokyo, Blinken and foreign ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy will be seeking common ground in part to prevent the Gaza war from further destabilizing already shaky security in the broader Middle East and seeking to maintain existing positions on other matters.
An early consensus on Gaza appeared to be building as at least four of the G7 members made statements in favor of strong common stance. And U.S. officials said they were expecting the group to release a communique featuring a common position after the meetings end on Wednesday.
Kishida said “the unity of G7 is needed more than ever with the situation in Israel and Palestine, the situation in Ukraine, and the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region,” his office said in a statement, adding that the prime minister “highly appreciates the leadership and diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration concerning this issue.”
“You have our utmost support,” Kamikawa told Blinken.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that “as G7 countries, we are making clear that Israel has the right and the duty to protect its population and its people in the framework of international law.” She said that she has been discussing with many partners “how we can finally get humanitarian cease-fires off the ground, in terms of time and also geographically.”
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told a select group of journalists, including The Associated Press, that his government only supports a time and geographically specific “humanitarian pause” and not a wider cease-fire.
“Firstly, we have seen and heard absolutely nothing that makes us believe that Hamas leadership is serious about (a) cease-fire,” he said, adding that a cease-fire would hamper Israel’s ability to defend itself.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, centre, arrives at likura guest house, ahead of G7 ministerial meetings, in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Nov.7,2023. Photo : Jonathan Ernst/AP
Blinken’s efforts include pushing to significantly expand the amount of humanitarian aid being sent to Gaza, getting Israel to agree to “pauses” in its military operation to allow that assistance to get in and more civilians to get out, beginning planning for a post-conflict governance and security structure in the territory and preventing the war from spreading.
Blinken described all of these as “a work in progress” and acknowledged deep divisions over the pause concept. Israel remains unconvinced and Arab and Muslim nations are demanding an immediate full cease-fire, something the United States opposes. There has also been resistance to discussing Gaza’s future, with the Arab states insisting that the immediate humanitarian crisis must be addressed first.
Securing agreement from G7 members, none of which border or are directly involved in the conflict, may be a slightly less daunting challenge for Blinken.
U.S. Secretary Blinken post on twitter/X today with Japan Prime Minister Kishida
Today I thanked @JPN_PMO Kishida Fumio for his government’s strong leadership of the @G7 during this very difficult year in the in face of unprecedented global challenges. We are grateful to Japan for its pledge to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/LHDRSVI0Zl
Yet some small cracks have emerged over Gaza, which has inflamed international public opinion. Democracies are not immune from intense passions that have manifested themselves in massive pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel demonstrations in G7 capitals and elsewhere.
Last month in the U.N. Security Council, France voted in favor of a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza that was vetoed by the United States because it didn’t go far enough in condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel, which ignited the war. Britain abstained in that vote.
Since before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the G7 has held together in defense of the international order that emerged from the destruction of World War II. Despite some fraying around the edges, the group has preserved a unified front in condemning and opposing Russia’s war.
The group similarly has been of one voice in demanding that North Korea halt its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, that China exercise its growing international clout responsibly, and also in calling for cooperative actions to combat pandemics, synthetic opioids, and threats from the misuse of artificial intelligence.
Blinken arrived in Tokyo from Turkey, the last stop on his four-day whirlwind through the Mideast that began with visits to Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Cyprus and Iraq. From Japan, he will travel to South Korea and then on to India.
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Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report.
Hundreds leave to join Mexico migrant caravan headed for US
By Jose Torres
MEXICO (Reuters) – A caravan of at least hundreds of migrants left from the southern Mexican city of Tapachula on Sunday, heading for the U.S. southern border.
The smaller caravan plans to join a larger one that left six days ago and is currently stopped about 25 miles (40 km) north in the town of Huixtla.
Organizers said the first had swelled to some 7,000 people while the government in the southern Chiapas state said it estimated the group at 3,500 people.
Many migrants are fleeing poverty and political instability in their homelands, hailing from Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, and especially Honduras and Venezuela, according to a Reuters witness.
“I think 3.4 months is too long to wait to get a humanitarian visa, to be able to travel through Mexican territory,” said Selma Alvarez from Venezuela. “Because we are at the mercy of coyotes, of criminals, it is good that we accompany each other in the caravan, it seems safer to me.”
Alvarez added that the group was impatient to get to the U.S. border and start the process to enter the U.S. with appointments secured via a U.S. government app, CBP One, and request asylum.
Gunmen kill at least 20 and burned houses in pre-dawn attack in Cameroon- local official
YAOUNDE (Reuters) – Gunmen opened fire on people as they slept in a town in western Cameroon in the early hours of Monday, leaving at least 20 dead, a local government official said.
Residents said they suspected the attack was meant to disrupt celebrations marking the 41st anniversary of Paul Biya becoming Cameroon’s president that were due to take place in Mamfe and other centres on Monday.
Separatists in minority English-speaking parts of Cameroon have been fighting to carve out an independent state called Ambazonia since 2017.
Armed groups have carried out attacks, kidnappings and killings in the North West and South West regions of the predominantly French-speaking African country.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack.
Burned house photo, Mamfe, Cameroon, Monday, Nov.6,2023. Photo : KOUAM JOEL HONORE
The gunmen struck before dawn and set houses ablaze, Viang Mekala, the administrative head of the surrounding Manyu division in South West region, said.
Seven people were in hospital and security forces were searching the area, Mekala told Reuters. “The situation is under control and the population should not panic,” he said.
Residents said several senior politicians had come to celebrate the anniversary in the town which is less than 50 km (30 miles) from the border with Nigeria.
Reporting by Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Writing by Sofia Christensen; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Andrew Heavens
US Foreign Secretary Blinken meets Turkish FM for tough Israel-Gaza talks
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up a grueling Middle East diplomatic tour on Monday in Turkey after only limited success in efforts to forge a regional consensus on how best to ease civilian suffering in Gaza as Israel intensifies its war against Hamas.
In the Turkish capital, Ankara, Blinken met with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan following a frantic weekend of travel that took him from Israel to Jordan, the occupied West Bank, Cyprus and Iraq, to build support for the Biden administration’s proposal for “humanitarian pauses” to Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza.
“All of this is a work in progress,” Blinken said before leaving Turkey. “We don’t obviously agree on everything, but there are common views on some of the imperatives of the moment that we’re working on together.”
Blinken’s shuttle diplomacy came as Israeli troops surrounded Gaza City and cut off the northern part of the besieged Hamas-ruled territory. Troops are expected to enter the city Monday or Tuesday and are likely to face militants fighting street by street using a vast network of tunnels. Casualties will likely rise on both sides in the month-old war, which has already killed more than 10,000 Palestinians according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The top U.S. diplomat hopes that pauses in the war would allow for a surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of hostages captured by Hamas during the militants’ deadly Oct. 7 incursion into southern Israel that killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians — while also preventing the conflict from spreading regionally.
“We’ve engaged the Israelis on steps that they can take to minimize civilian casualties,” Blinken said before leaving Ankara. “We’re working, as I said, very aggressively on getting more humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
People clash with anti riot Turkish police officers during a pro Palestine protest outside U.S.-Turkish Incirlik military air base in Adana, southern Turkey, Sunday, Nov.5,2023. Pro-Islamic Turkish NGO IHH called for people to drive their vehicles in a convoy of demonstrators to gather and protest at U.S.-Turkish Incirlink military air base to show their solidarity with the Palestinians. Photo: Mehmet Sancakzade/AP
“We are very focused on the hostages held by Hamas, including the Americans, and we are doing everything possible to bring them home,” he added.
State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said in a statement both Blinken and Fidan “emphasized the importance of the longstanding U.S.-Turkish cooperation as NATO Allies and Euro-Atlantic security priorities including Sweden’s NATO accession.”
As the Blinken-Fidan meeting got underway, dozens of protesters from an Islamist group waved Turkish and Palestinian flags and held up anti-U.S. and anti-Israel placards outside the Foreign Ministry. Police earlier in the day dispersed a group of students marching toward the ministry chanting “murderer Blinken, get out of Turkey!”
Blinken tweets his meeting with Turkey foreign minister and write on his wall Secretary Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan sit in chairs during a meeting. There is a round table with small U.S. and Turkish flags in between them. There is also a Turkish flag behind them.
Spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan about preventing the spread of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the need to protect civilians and increase humanitarian assistance. Also discussed Sweden’s NATO accession and the importance of our partnership in addressing global challenges. pic.twitter.com/MwWBxTMBbG
Also Monday, about 150 people rallied outside the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, carrying a large banner that read: “No to genocide!”
It was the second day of protests denouncing Blinken’s visit. On Sunday, pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with Turkish riot police outside the U.S.-Turkish Incirlik military air base in the southern city of Adana. Police fired tear gas and water cannon as the demonstrators tried to cross fields to enter the base.
American forces in the region face a surge of attacks by Iranian-allied militias in Iraq and elsewhere. U.S. forces shot down another one-way attack drone Sunday that was targeting American and coalition troops near their base in neighboring Syria, a U.S. official said. From Baghdad Blinken traveled to Turkey.
The Biden administration, while remaining the strongest backer of Israel’s military response to Hamas’ attacks on Oct. 7, is increasingly seeking to use its influence with Israel to try to temper the effect of Israel’s weeks of complete siege and near round-the-clock air, ground and sea assaults in Gaza, home to 2.3 million civilians.
Arab states are resisting American suggestions that they play a larger role in resolving the crisis, expressing outrage at the civilian toll of the Israeli military operations and believing Gaza to be a problem largely of Israel’s own making.
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Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.
Indonesia officially becomes FATF’s 40th member, President Jokowi tweet
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia has officially become the 40th permanent member of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) announced on Monday.
“I would like to convey good news as a result of the negotiations in Paris last October. Thank God, Indonesia was accepted by acclamation as the 40th permanent member of FATF,” he stated at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.
Kabar baik datang dari Paris, Prancis: Indonesia diterima secara aklamasi sebagai anggota tetap ke-40 Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Keputusan tersebut diambil oleh pihak FATF setelah perundingan di Paris akhir Oktober.
FATF is an international organization focused on global efforts to eradicate criminal acts of money laundering, terrorism financing, and funding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The president noted that Indonesia’s FATF membership is important to increase positive perceptions of the Indonesian financial system.
Increasing positive perceptions of Indonesia’s financial system will encourage confidence and trust in the business and investment climate in the country, he remarked.
“It is very important to increase positive perceptions towards the Indonesian financial system. It will help to boost confidence and trust in our business and investment climate, Jokowi remarked.
The head of state also lauded the National Coordinating Committee for the Prevention and Eradication of Money Laundering and other stakeholders for their hard work and commitment to realize Indonesia’s goal of becoming an FATF official member.
“We hope that this will be the first step towards better governance of Indonesia’s anti-money laundering regime and prevention of terrorist financing,” the president stated.
According to the official website of the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), by joining as a permanent member of the FATF, Indonesia will be able to make a broad contribution to determine global strategic policies related to Anti-Money Laundering and Prevention of the Financing of Terrorism (APUPPT) that can further emphasize Indonesia’s position as a country with integrity and capable of actively contributing to the international arena.
FATF’s History
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) was established in 1989 by the G7 to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering. It originally included the G7 countries, the European Commission and eight other countries. Click here to see the Economic Declaration from the G7 Summit in July 1989.
The FATF was given responsibility to examine money laundering techniques and trends, review the action already taken at a national or international level, and to set out measures needed to combat money laundering. In 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to also combat terrorist financing.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Work, Standards & Methods
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) leads global action to tackle money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing.
The FATF researches how money is laundered and terrorism is funded, promotes global standards to mitigate the risks, and assesses whether countries are taking effective action.
The methods used to launder the proceeds of criminal activities and to finance illicit activities are in constant evolution. As the international financial sector implements the FATF standards, criminals must find alternative ways to launder their dirty money.
The FATF carries out research into evolving methods and trends to assist countries in identifying, assessing and understanding their money laundering and terrorist financing risks. Once these risks are properly understood, countries will be able to implement more effective measures to mitigate the risks.
FATF mutual evaluations are in-depth country reports analysing the implementation and effectiveness of measures to combat money laundering, terrorist and proliferation financing. The reports are peer reviews, where members from different countries assess another country. Mutual evaluations provide an in-depth description and analysis of a country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing system, as well as focused recommendations to further strengthen its system.
During a mutual evaluation, the assessed country must demonstrate that it has an effective framework to protect the financial system from abuse.
Thailand to waive visas for India and Taiwan to boost tourism
Chinese, Kazakh tourists already granted temporary visa waiver, Visa exemption meant to boost tourist arrivals, premier says
BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand will waive visa requirements for arrivals from India and Taiwan from next month to May 2024, a government official said on Tuesday, in a bid to draw in more tourists as high season approaches.
Thailand in September scrapped visa requirements for Chinese tourists, the country’s top pre-pandemic tourism market with 11 million of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019.
From January to October 29, there were 22 million visitors to Thailand, generating 927.5 billion baht ($25.67 billion), according to the latest government data.
“Arrivals from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days,” spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said.
India has been Thailand’s fourth largest source market for tourism so far this year with about 1.2 million arrivals after Malaysia, China and South Korea.
Inbound tourism from India showed signs of growth as more airlines and hospitality chains targeted that market.
Thailand is targeting about 28 million arrivals this year, with the new government hoping the travel sector can offset continued weak exports that have constrained economic growth.
September scrapped visa requirements for Chinese tourists, the country’s top pre-coronavirus-pandemic tourism market with 11 million of the record 39 million arrivals in 2019.
“Arrivals from India and Taiwan can enter Thailand for 30 days,” government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said.
India has been Thailand’s fourth largest source market for tourism so far this year with about 1.2 million arrivals after Malaysia, China and South Korea.
Travellers from Malaysia has topped the list of tourists this year at more than 3 million, followed by Chinese — the largest group of visitors to Thailand before the Covid-19 pandemic — at 2.65 million, according to the latest figures from the TAT.
Pressure mounts on Australia to call for Gaza ceasefire, Greens boycott question time after labor rejects ceasefire call on Gaza
CANBERRA (AAP) – Pressure is mounting for the Australian government to call for a complete ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as the civilian death toll mounts.
Today in Australia Parliament the Labor Government again refused to support a call from the Greens for an immediate ceasefire to protect innocent civilians in Gaza amid a soaring civilian death toll.
In Question Time today the Greens asked Labor to back the United Nations call for a ceasefire, following Labor’s refusal, all Australian Greens Senators exited in protest.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi is Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens and led the call for a ceasefire and subsequent boycott of Question Time today:
“We are witnessing the State of Israel’s horrific war crimes in Gaza, with almost ten thousand massacred including more than 4000 children. The Australian Government must back the United Nations call for an immediate ceasefire.
Senator Mehreen Faruqi says the federal government continues to shield Israel from accountability. Photo : Mick Tsikas/AAP
“Today the Australian Greens left Question Time in protest because, like millions of Australians, we have been shocked, horrified and angered by the massacre of innocent people in Gaza. It is unacceptable that the Labor government refuses to push for a ceasefire in the face of these atrocities.
“Millions are marching around the world for peace in Palestine but our Government is failing to listen and act. Today, we proudly brought the people’s protest into Parliament so that Labor can no longer ignore the call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry condemned the walkout.
“They pose as pacifists but they know that a ceasefire will hand victory to Hamas and encourage more jihadism in the West,” co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said.
Federal ministers have consistently called for Israel to act within the confines of international law while reaffirming its right to defend itself.
Foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have lobbied US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire.
Pope Francis also urged a ceasefire, branding the situation in Gaza as “very grave”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any ceasefire until hostages were returned.
The federal government is continuing to assist 79 people in Gaza after 25 citizens and family members were able to make it out through the Rafah crossing into Egypt.
Most have since returned to Australia.
No departures from Gaza have been possible in recent days, a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed after reports the Rafah crossing had been shut again.
“Australia is supporting international efforts to keep the Rafah border crossing open for humanitarian purposes, including the passage of civilians,” the spokesman said in a statement.
The Israeli army has surrounded Gaza’s main city as its invasion of the strip in search of Hamas militants continues.
Hamas, which is deemed a terrorist organization by the Australian government, killed more than 1400 Israelis and took more than 240 hostages in an attack on October 7.
The Palestinian death toll from Israel’s retaliatory strikes, which have hit refugee camps and ambulances, is nearing 10,000, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza health ministry.
Israel says 31 of its soldiers have been killed.
Palestinian human rights groups have launched legal action seeking records of weapons exports granted by Defence Minister Richard Marles since October 7.
“We are seeing the makings of a genocide unfold in front of our eyes,” Al Mezan Centre director Issam Younis said of the events in Gaza.
If Australia was “selling Israel the means to commit that genocide”, it would breach Australia’s international obligations and its arms export laws, he said.
There is “credible public information” Australian goods and technology might be being used to abate genocide specifically against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, the groups said in an affidavit seen by AAP.
Australia has approved 322 defence exports to Israel over the past six years but such exports weren’t lethal in nature and included items such as radios, body armour, software, vehicle parts and sporting equipment, defence officials have said.
Ravindra Jadeja credits Virat Kohli for gritty hundred on tough wicket
KOLKATTA (ICC) – Ravindra Jadeja heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his record-breaking ton in Kolkata on Sunday that laid the foundation for India’s huge win.
Jadeja praised Kohli for his record 49th ODI hundred, a feat that saw him match Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record, pointing out how he navigated the team through a tricky phase in the afternoon on a slow, turning wicket at the Eden Gardens.
“In the afternoon, there was turn and it was slow, so batters couldn’t hit well,” Jadeja said at the post-match press conference.
“But credit to Virat and the middle-order batters who handled their spinners, it was very good.
“I would say this is special for him as well because of the way the wicket was in the afternoon. At one time it felt like 260-270 is also fine and at that time, rotating the strike and taking boundaries, I think that must have been very challenging.
“So, especially when the team was struggling to get a run, both their spinners were bowling well, and at such a time to rotate the strike, to take boundaries, and to get a score of above 300 and be not out – that is a very big achievement and a very big effort from him,” Jadeja concluded.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up a 5-wicket haul and hit a crucial 29 against South Africa in Kolkata (Reuters Photo)
The middle overs saw South Africa’s spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi bring down the run rate after Rohit Sharma got India off to a flier. Maharaj’s dismissal of Shubman Gill with a delivery that turned square gave a hint of the challenge awaiting the Indian batters.
But an unflustered Kohli, with solid support from Shreyas Iyer, carried India through the tricky phase. The Proteas head coach Rob Walters also agreed that his side conceded way more than what he would’ve wanted and averted any blame on the pitch itself.
“I think it would be very short-sighted and unfair of me to blame the pitch,” Walters said after the game while addressing the media.
“One side gets 320, and we get bowled out for 80. That doesn’t sound right, does it?
“So, to be fair, as I said, 320 was too much on that pitch. I think we’ll all reflect on that and say that that was probably 70 or 80 too many. But on the other side, I think India were excellent. And I wouldn’t blame the pitch on that part.”
Meanwhile, Jadeja revealed that the decision to bat first was made to challenge the batting on a slow pitch and to see how the bowlers would adapt to dew later in the evening.
“After winning toss, we were trying to challenge ourselves. Because if we had bowled in the afternoon, we might not have scored so many runs.
“As I said, the ball was stopping a lot, and there was no bounce. And the turn was increasing. It was continuously turning.
“So, it was a challenge for us to take first batting and in the second innings if the dew comes, how can we bowl with the dew? Because if such a situation comes in the knockout stage, we should know how to handle that situation. That was the only reason.”
India went to the top of the points table with the whopping win, their eighth on the trot, while South Africa, who have also made the semi-finals, will hope to take learnings away from the game ahead of the knockout phase.
