Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan, missing since Thursday in the UAE, was found murdered, with Israeli authorities labeling it a terrorist act. The Emirati government arrested three suspects but withheld details pending investigation. Rabbi Kogan, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary, worked to expand Jewish life in the Emirates. Israeli PM Netanyahu condemned the murder as an antisemitic terrorist attack, vowing justice. Penelope Kingsley 24/11/2024 7:30 pm
Renewed sectarian violence in north-west Pakistan’s Kurram district has resulted in over 80 deaths and 156 injuries. The conflict began when gunmen attacked Shia Muslim convoys, killing over 40 people and sparking revenge attacks. The violence, rooted in long-standing Shia-Sunni land disputes, has forced hundreds to flee. Among the dead, 16 were Sunni and 66 Shia, including women and children. Residents describe hiding and fleeing to the mountains for safety amid ongoing gunfire. Penelope Kingsley 24/11/2024 4:00 pm
Iran plans to hold talks with France, Germany, and the UK after the IAEA censured it over its nuclear program. Discussions will cover regional and international issues, including Palestine, Lebanon, and nuclear concerns. Iran, which insists its nuclear program is non-military, plans to activate new uranium enrichment centrifuges. Efforts to revive the 2015 nuclear deal have stalled since the US withdrawal in 2018. Separately, Israel condemned the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident,” and advised caution for travelers to the UAE. Noah Prescott 24/11/2024 4:00 pm
The BJP-led alliance, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, won a decisive victory in Maharashtra’s state elections, securing over 230 of 288 seats. This marks a significant comeback after a parliamentary setback five months prior. Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state, is crucial politically. Analysts note the BJP’s success was due to local factors rather than religious polarization. The Congress party, which previously dominated, won only 16 seats, highlighting a disconnect between its leadership and grassroots. The BJP’s strategy included less focus on Modi and more on local issues. Noah Prescott 24/11/2024 4:00 pm
Photojournalist Robert Nickelsberg’s book, “Legacy of Lies,” features black-and-white images from El Salvador during the early 1980s, highlighting the impact of U.S. foreign policy on the country’s civil war. The book, published by Kehrer Verlag, includes previously unpublished photos and personal essays that depict the U.S. support for El Salvador’s right-wing military government amid Cold War tensions. It captures the violent early years of the civil war and the resulting migration of Salvadorans to the U.S., offering a visual and contextual narrative of the era. Penelope Kingsley 24/11/2024 4:00 pm
An Israeli airstrike on a Lebanese army center killed one soldier and injured 18 others. The strike, in southwestern Lebanon, is under review by Israel, which claims its operations target Hezbollah, not the Lebanese military. Lebanon’s caretaker PM condemned the attack as undermining ceasefire efforts. Israeli actions have displaced 1.2 million in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Iran plans to respond to Israel, and in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes have killed over 44,000 Palestinians since October 2023, with recent attacks injuring a hospital director. Penelope Kingsley 24/11/2024 4:00 pm
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the House speaker killed if she is assassinated, later claiming it was an expression of concern over threats to her life. The Presidential Security Command increased security for Marcos, considering the threat a national security issue. Duterte’s remarks could be criminal under Philippine law, which punishes threats. The Constitution states the vice president succeeds the president if the latter cannot serve. Duterte questioned the logic of her alleged threat, denying any intent to harm. Ava Sinclair 24/11/2024 12:30 pm
COP29 in Baku achieved incremental progress, setting a new climate finance target of at least US$300 billion annually by 2035 to aid developing nations in transitioning from fossil fuels and adapting to climate change. Nations also finalized rules for a global carbon trading market, completing the 2015 Paris Agreement framework. Despite low expectations due to political challenges, including the U.S. election of climate denier Donald Trump and Azerbaijan’s pro-oil stance, the conference demonstrated the Paris Agreement’s effectiveness, though more action is needed from national governments. Penelope Kingsley 24/11/2024 12:30 pm
Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged the US to prioritize aiding Ukraine over Taiwan, as Ukraine needs weapons more urgently. Speaking at the Halifax International Security Forum, Tsai emphasized that a Ukrainian victory would deter future aggression, potentially discouraging China from attacking Taiwan. Despite Taiwan’s increased defense spending, Tsai expressed concerns over President-elect Donald Trump’s demands for further budget hikes. Meanwhile, Russia offers debt forgiveness to new recruits joining the war in Ukraine, allowing them to write off debts up to 10 million rubles. Ava Sinclair 24/11/2024 12:30 pm
Israeli rabbi Zvi Kogan, missing in the UAE, was found dead in what Israeli authorities call an “antisemitic terrorist act.” Kogan, a Chabad representative, was abducted in Dubai. Israeli officials vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The UAE confirmed receiving a missing person report and is investigating. Kogan contributed to Jewish community development in the UAE. His wife, Rivky, is a US national with family ties to past terror attack victims. Israel reissued travel advisories for nationals, urging caution. Ava Sinclair 24/11/2024 12:30 pm
