Israel

UN says it still faces obstacles in bid to fend off famine in Gaza

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UN says it still faces obstacles in bid to fend off famine in Gaza

The United Nations is facing difficulties in delivering aid to the Gaza Strip, with significant checkpoint delays and denied requests for aid deliveries. Despite some improvements in coordination with Israel, challenges persist in scaling up aid distribution. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has escalated, leading to increased global outrage. Israel has approved reopening crossings and ports for aid delivery after pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden. The focus is on improving access to essential services like water, sanitation, and health to prevent famine. U.S. officials acknowledge progress in aid delivery but are working to further improve the situation. Israel is retaliating against Hamas in Gaza following an attack, resulting in casualties on both sides.

California university cancels Muslim valedictorian’s speech, citing safety concerns

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California university cancels Muslim valedictorian’s speech, citing safety concerns

The University of Southern California canceled the valedictorian speech of Muslim student Asna Tabassum due to safety concerns and tensions surrounding the Middle East conflict. USC Provost Andrew Guzman stated that the decision was made to protect campus security, as discussions about the valedictorian selection had become alarming. Tabassum challenged the university’s rationale, questioning if the decision was solely based on safety. USC faced opposition from groups like Trojans for Israel and We Are Tov, who called for Tabassum’s removal as commencement speaker, citing her social media profile and past views on Palestine and Israel. Tabassum’s invitation to speak was withdrawn without USC reviewing her speech, leading to criticism and calls for her reinstatement from groups like the Council on American Islamic Relations.

Astronomers detect Milky Way’s second-largest known black hole

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Astronomers detect Milky Way’s second-largest known black hole

A black hole with a mass 33 times greater than the sun was discovered in the Milky Way, located 2,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Aquila. The black hole, named Gaia BH3, formed from a star with low metallicity and is the largest-known stellar black hole. Its companion star orbits it on an elliptical path, and the discovery supports the theory that massive stellar black holes can only be produced by low metallicity stars. The maximum size of stellar black holes is still a topic of scientific debate.

FACTBOX-Lebanon’s Hezbollah: What weapons does it have?

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FACTBOX-Lebanon’s Hezbollah: What weapons does it have?

Hezbollah, a heavily armed non-state group in Lebanon, is a key player in the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance” alliance against Israel and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Hezbollah possesses a vast arsenal of over 150,000 missiles and rockets, including precision weapons, anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and anti-ship missiles. The group also has around 45,000 fighters and has used drones in hostilities with Israel.

Israeli tanks push back in northern Gaza, warplanes hit Rafah, say residents

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Israeli tanks push back in northern Gaza, warplanes hit Rafah, say residents

Israeli tanks re-entered parts of northern Gaza and carried out air strikes on Rafah, killing and injuring several people. Tanks surrounded schools where displaced families were seeking refuge, ordering evacuations and detaining men. The Israeli military continued operations in central Gaza, targeting gunmen and destroying terrorist infrastructure. Israel is still imposing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite some claims of increased aid flows. The Palestinian health ministry reported over 33,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since October.

Putin tells the Middle East to pull back from a catastrophic clash

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Putin tells the Middle East to pull back from a catastrophic clash

Russian President Vladimir Putin urged all sides in the Middle East to avoid actions that could lead to a new confrontation with catastrophic consequences for the region. Putin spoke to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi about Iran’s retaliatory measures against Israel and emphasized the need for restraint to prevent further escalation. The root cause of instability in the Middle East was attributed to the unresolved conflict between Palestinians and Israel. Both leaders confirmed their support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a political settlement of the crisis. Iran has provided Russia with powerful missiles and drones used in Ukraine.

Biden targets wealthy in Pennsylvania tour with a hometown visit

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Biden targets wealthy in Pennsylvania tour with a hometown visit

Joe Biden is starting a tour in Pennsylvania, where he plans to push for higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations. Pennsylvania is a crucial state with swing voters, and in the 2024 election, Biden is facing a rematch against Donald Trump. Despite economic concerns, Biden is focusing on his populist economic message to win over blue-collar voters in the state. The state’s primary contests are scheduled for April 23. Critics are accusing Biden of not doing enough to address the crisis in Gaza.

Spanish airlines increase capacity as they expect record summer demand

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Spanish airlines increase capacity as they expect record summer demand

Spanish airlines are expecting a record summer season, adding 13% more seats compared to last year, with up to 758,000 flights scheduled from April to October. Despite inflation, consumer demand for leisure travel remains strong, especially to popular Spanish destinations like the Canary Islands and Andalusia. Only 0.2% of flights departing from Spain have Israel as a destination, minimizing the impact of the Middle East conflict on the airline industry. Airlines are prepared for potential oil price increases due to geopolitical tensions.

Geopolitics, Fed and Chinese GDP

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Geopolitics, Fed and Chinese GDP

Geopolitical tensions are causing caution among investors, with concerns about potential retaliation from Israel against Iran. The Nasdaq index fell below its 50-day SMA, indicating a possible sell-off. US economic data, including industrial production and Fed Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech, are being closely watched. Oil prices are influenced by tensions in the Middle East, with the possibility of Brent crude reaching 0. Gold prices are anchored by inflation expectations and geopolitical tensions, with potential for further increases. China’s strong GDP growth is seen as positive for gold demand. Powell’s speech and potential oil price increases could impact inflation. Gold prices are expected to continue rising, potentially reaching ,500.

Lufthansa slashes 2024 outlook, citing strikes and capacity snags

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Lufthansa slashes 2024 outlook, citing strikes and capacity snags

Lufthansa slashed its 2024 earnings outlook, expecting adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 2.2 billion euros, down from a previous forecast of stable earnings compared to 2023. The airline reported a first-quarter loss of 849 million euros, with strikes impacting earnings by around 350 million euros. Lufthansa shares fell by more than 4 per cent to a five-month low.