Daily News Brief TRT World

US circulates revised Gaza truce draft at UN but Israel objects

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-us-circulates-revised-gaza-truce-draft-at-un-but-israel-objects-18170639

The United States has circulated the revised draft of a UN Security Council resolution aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza, but Israel privately objected to its close ally’s latest attempt to stop the genocidal war.

The draft says the Security Council “welcomes the new ceasefire proposal announced on May 31, which is acceptable to Israel ... (and) calls upon Hamas to also accept it.”

But an Israeli official said that the language overlooks Israel’s stated aim of destroying Hamas.

*) Sodomised to death: Stories of torture at Israel’s Sde Teiman base emerge

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/sodomised-to-death-stories-of-torture-at-israels-sde-teiman-base-emerge-18170660

A three-month investigation by The New York Times has unearthed severe torture and egregious human rights violations at an Israeli military base in Sde Teiman, southern Israel.

Since the onset of Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, a chilling pattern of grotesque abuse has emerged within Sde Teiman’s walls.

Detainees, shackled by horror, have borne witness to unspeakable acts: sodomised with metal rods, jolted with electricity, and subjected to merciless beatings with batons, rifle butts, and handheld metal detectors.

*) Outrage grows as RSF is blamed for killing 100+ in Sudan’s Gezira
https://www.trtworld.com/africa/outrage-grows-as-rsf-is-blamed-for-killing-100-in-sudans-gezira-18170661
Sudanese and international organisations and institutions have condemned the killing of over 100 civilians in the village of Wad al Noora in Sudan’s Gezira state allegedly by paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
They are calling for an immediate investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The Madani Resistance Committee, a local pro-democracy activists group, put the toll at “more than 104.”
*) Ukraine to get $225M worth US weapons that Kiev can use inside Russia
https://www.trtworld.com/us-and-canada/ukraine-to-get-dollar225m-worth-us-weapons-that-kiev-can-use-inside-russia-18170649
US officials said Washington will send about $225 million in military package to Ukraine.
The officials said the aid includes munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, as well as mortar systems and an array of artillery rounds.
Under a new US directive, Ukraine can use such weapons to strike across the border into Russia if Russian forces there are attacking or preparing to attack.
And finally…

*) Survey: 21% Germans prefer ‘more players with white skin’ in national team

https://www.trtworld.com/discrimination/survey-21-germans-prefer-more-players-with-white-skin-in-national-team-18170245

A new survey on German football and racism has sparked an intense debate in the country ahead of the Euro 2024 Championship.

In a representative poll by public broadcaster ARD, 21% of Germans said they prefer to see more players with white skin in the national football team. Nearly 17% said they regret that the national team’s current captain is a player with Turkish roots.

Ronny Blaschke, a renowned expert on German football, said the outcome of the survey was not surprising, as racism in football has long been a serious problem, and was further exacerbated by the rise of the anti-immigrant far-right AfD party.

US says response from Hamas on truce deal still awaited

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-us-says-response-from-hamas-on-truce-deal-still-awaited-18169816

A response from Palestinian resistance group Hamas on US President Joe Biden’s ceasefire proposal is still being awaited, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan has told reporters.

CIA Director Bill Burns will be in Doha to consult with Qatari mediators on the Gaza ceasefire proposal, Sullivan said.

Qatar has been mediating on Gaza between Israel and Hamas.

*) Urgent call in Morocco to bar suspected ship with Indian weapons for Israel

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/urgent-call-in-morocco-to-bar-suspected-ship-with-indian-weapons-for-israel-18169838

An activist group in Morocco has urged the government to block a cargo ship suspected of transporting Indian weapons to Israel from passing through its territorial waters.

Sailing under the flag of Luxembourg, the commercial ship departed from India on April 18 and is set to arrive at the Spanish port of Cartagena on Wednesday, the National News reported.

To enter the Mediterranean, ships travelling east from the Atlantic must pass through the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Spain and Morocco.

*) Prosecutors paint Hunter Biden as driven by addiction in gun trial
https://www.trtworld.com/us-and-canada/prosecutors-paint-hunter-biden-as-driven-by-addiction-in-gun-trial-18169825
Jurors have heard unsparing accounts of Hunter Biden’s drug use in his own words as his trial on gun charges, the first-ever prosecution of a child of a sitting US president, has gotten under way.
Hunter Biden, 54, the only surviving son of President Joe Biden, is charged with lying about his illegal drug use when buying a handgun in 2018, a felony.
He is also charged with illegal possession of the firearm.
*) Two pilots killed as training aircraft crashes in central Türkiye
https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/two-pilots-killed-as-training-aircraft-crashes-in-central-turkiye-18169536
Two pilots were killed after a training aircraft crashed in central Türkiye, the country’s National Defence Ministry has said.
The SF-260D type aircraft belonging to the Air Forces Command, which took off from the 12th Air Transport Main Base Command in Kayseri for training, crashed for an unknown reason, the ministry said on social media platform X.
Search and rescue efforts have begun.
And finally…

*) India’s Modi declares historic victory, but fails to win ‘big majority’

https://www.trtworld.com/asia/indias-modi-declares-historic-victory-but-fails-to-win-big-majority-18169400

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed victory for the ruling National Democratic Alliance, terming it a “historical feat” in the history of the South Asian country.

As per the final tally, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies won 295 seats, while the opposition Indian National Congress and its allies were trailing with 231 seats.

17 seats were won by other candidates in the 543-member lower house of India’s parliament.

*) Blinken calls Israeli officials to discuss Gaza ceasefire deal
https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-blinken-calls-israeli-officials-to-discuss-gaza-ceasefire-deal-18169087
The US State Department said the Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called top Israeli officials to discuss a proposed deal for a truce in Gaza.
According to statements, Blinken spoke with the Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz and the Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant.
In both calls, he "commended" Israel for the proposal and said the onus was on Hamas to agree.
*) Exit polls indicate Sheinbaum wins historic Mexican presidential race
https://www.trtworld.com/latin-america/exit-polls-indicate-sheinbaum-wins-historic-mexican-presidential-race-18169100
According to exit polls in Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum is set to be elected the country’s first woman president.
A polling firm said the ruling party candidate won around 58 percent of the votes, against 29 percent for her main opposition rival.
Sheinbaum’s win is seen as a milestone in Mexico after a history of gender-based violence.
*) South Africa's Ramaphosa urges parties to unite after ANC loses majority


https://www.trtworld.com/africa/south-africas-ramaphosa-urges-parties-to-unite-after-anc-loses-majority-18169070
South Africans voted for national and provincial lawmakers in an election in which the governing party fell short of a majority for the first time.
South Africa’s president urged political parties to find common ground, overcome their differences, and work together for the country's good.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said: "Our people expect all parties to work together within the framework of our Constitution and address whatever challenges we encounter peacefully."
*) Clashes renew between Sudan's army and RSF paramilitaries
https://www.trtworld.com/africa/clashes-renew-between-sudans-army-and-rsf-paramilitaries-18169090
Violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and members of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, Al Jazirah and White Nile states and in the city of El Fasher.
Eyewitnesses said the army conducted air strikes on RSF gathering centres near a petroleum refinery north of Khartoum, resulting in thick columns of smoke rising.
And finally…


*) Turkish amputee team protest Gaza massacres after 6-0 win over Israel

https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkish-amputee-team-protest-gaza-massacres-after-6-0-win-over-israel-18169067
The Turkish National Amputee Football Team defeated the Israeli team 6-0 in the 2024 European championship match in France.
The Turkish team who refused to shake hands with their Israeli opponents, protested Israel’s brutal war on Gaza and dedicated the win to the Palestinian people.

Jury convicts Donald Trump on all 34 charges in hush money trial

https://www.trtworld.com/us-and-canada/jury-convicts-donald-trump-on-all-34-charges-in-hush-money-trial-18168112

Donald Trump has become the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes.

A New York jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to an adult movie actress.

The verdict from the 12-person jury convicted Trump on all 34 counts after deliberating for 9.5 hours.

*) Recognising Palestine generates positive momentum — Norway’s ambassador

https://www.trtworld.com/europe/recognising-palestine-generates-positive-momentum-norways-ambassador-18167646

The recognition of an independent Palestinian state strengthens the idea of the two-state solution to the longstanding issue of Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, Norway’s ambassador to Türkiye told TRT World.

Andreas Gaarder said “the intention is to contribute to creating a momentum and also to signal to the world community that this is an important issue that needs to be solved and it needs to be solved now.”

Gaarder said Oslo has been involved in “hectic diplomatic activity” in Brussels in the past few days, while strongly advocating for the end of Israel’s brutal war on Gaza and for long-lasting peace in the region.

*) NY hospital fires nurse for Gaza ‘genocide’ reference during award speech
https://www.trtworld.com/discrimination/ny-hospital-fires-nurse-for-gaza-genocide-reference-during-award-speech-18167836
A nurse at New York University Langone Medical Center has been fired for referring to the “genocide” in Gaza during a speech accepting an award earlier this month.
Hesen Jabr, a Palestinian American labour and delivery nurse, drew a link between her work and the suffering of mothers in Gaza.
Jabr said after the speech, she was “dragged” to an office and was handed her termination letter for putting “others at risk” and “offending people.”
*) NATO discusses allowing Ukraine to use Western arms to strike inside Russia
https://www.trtworld.com/europe/nato-discusses-allowing-ukraine-to-use-western-arms-to-strike-inside-russia-18168072
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg pushed at the start of a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers to let Ukraine use Western weapons to strike inside Russia.
Ukraine has been pressing its supporters, led by the United States, to allow it to use the longer-range weaponry it supplies to hit targets on Russian soil.
Some countries including Britain and the Netherlands say Kiev has the right to use their weapons to strike military targets in Russia.
And finally…

*) Efes-2024 exercise based on peacekeeping, no country targeted: Erdogan

https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/efes-2024-exercise-based-on-peacekeeping-no-country-targeted-erdogan-18167900

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the Turkish military’s ongoing Efes-2024 drill is based on peacekeeping.

In an address to the military during the exercise in Izmir province, the Turkish president said that “no country is targeted within the scope of the Efes-2024 drill.”

Erdogan said Türkiye has the opportunity to use the new domestic systems that have entered the inventory during the ongoing drill.

*) China’s Xi Jinping calls for Israel-Palestine peace summit

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-chinas-xi-jinping-calls-for-israel-palestine-peace-summit-18167728

The Chinese president has called for a peace conference on Israel’s war on besieged Gaza as he addressed Arab leaders and diplomats at a forum in Beijing.

This week, China is hosting Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi and several other Arab leaders for a forum at which discussions on the war in Gaza are expected.

Addressing the delegations, the president said China supported a “broad-based” peace conference to resolve the conflict.

*) No country is safe unless Israel is made to abide by int’l law: Erdogan

https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/no-country-is-safe-unless-israel-is-made-to-abide-by-intl-law-erdogan-18167436

No country is safe unless Israel abides by international law, according to the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish president was referring to Israel’s actions in Palestine’s Gaza which have been ongoing for more than seven months despite rulings and resolutions against it.

Erdogan said: “A bare-knuckled Israel is a threat not only to Palestine or Gaza but also to global peace and humanity as a whole.”

*) ‘Finish Them!’: Haley inscribes genocidal message on Biden’s bomb to Israel

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/finish-them-haley-inscribes-genocidal-message-on-bidens-bomb-to-israel-18167719

Nikki Haley, the former Republican presidential contender, has sparked global outrage after writing “Finish Them!” for the Palestinians of Gaza on an Israeli artillery shell during a visit to Israel.

An image of Haley crouched in front of pallets of America-supplied shells, writing with a marker on one, was shared on social media by an Israeli politician and former ambassador to the United Nations.

Haley finished her inscription with a note that “America loves Israel always” with a heart emoji, and was quickly slammed for the message.

*) Women lead Mexico’s presidential race to historic final
https://www.trtworld.com/americas/women-lead-mexicos-presidential-race-to-historic-final-18167740

Campaigning to be Mexico’s next president has reached a climax with two women leading the race for the first time in the Latin American nation.

A woman appears almost certain to be elected leader of the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country when millions of Mexicans vote on Sunday.

Both the women have dominated the presidential race, in a dramatic change for a country with long-standing gender inequality.

*) India’s New Delhi records highest-ever temperature of 49.9°C

https://www.trtworld.com/climate/indias-new-delhi-records-highest-ever-temperature-of-499degreec-18167344

Temperatures in India’s capital have soared to a record-high 49.9 degrees Celsius as authorities warn of water shortages in the sprawling mega-city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which reported “severe heat-wave conditions,” recorded the temperatures on Tuesday at two New Delhi suburbs stations, Narela and Mungeshpur.

The weather bureau said the temperatures were nine degrees higher than expected.

Algeria proposes UNSC resolution calling for truce in Gaza

https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-algeria-proposes-unsc-resolution-calling-for-truce-in-gaza-18167320

Algeria has circulated a proposed UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and ordering Israel to halt its military invasion in the southern city of Rafah immediately.

The draft resolution also demands that the ceasefire be respected by all parties and calls for the immediate release of all hostages.

Additionally, the draft demands compliance with previous council resolutions that call for the opening of all border crossings and humanitarian access to Gaza's 2.4 million people who desperately need food and other aid.

*) Prosecutor seeks guilty verdict in Trump trial, citing powerful evidence

https://www.trtworld.com/us-and-canada/prosecutor-seeks-guilty-verdict-in-trump-trial-citing-powerful-evidence-18167314

In the closing arguments at the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president, prosecutors stated that Donald Trump engaged in a "conspiracy and a cover-up" to conceal hush money payments to an adult movie star.

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass delivered the prosecution's summation, urging the jury to disregard distractions and focus on the evidence.

Steinglass argued that the prosecution had presented compelling evidence of Trump's guilt.

*) Turkish universities to welcome academics from West who oppose Israel’s war

https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/turkish-universities-to-welcome-academics-from-west-who-oppose-israels-war-18167339

The president of Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education has announced that the doors of Turkish universities are open to academics and students from Western educational institutions who lost their jobs for opposing Israel’s massacres in Gaza.
The announcement was made at the opening of a conference titled “Gaza Genocide Attempt: Tellings of an Eyewitness” at the Social Sciences University of Ankara.

The conference was presented by Ghassan Abu Sitta, the Palestinian rector of Glasgow University, who volunteered as a doctor during Israel's siege of Gaza and was prevented from talking about his experiences in some European countries.

*) Kenya begins holding public hearings into alleged abuses by UK troops

https://www.trtworld.com/africa/gunmen-kill-multiple-civilians-abduct-dozens-in-central-nigeria-official-18166913

Kenya has launched public hearings to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses of power by British troops stationed in the former colony.

The sessions will examine accusations of mistreatment, torture, unlawful detention, and killings, according to a circular issued by the lower house of parliament.

British soldiers stationed in the country have faced accusations of serious offences, including murder.

And finally…

*) Colombia moves to become latest South American country to ban bullfighting

https://www.trtworld.com/latin-america/colombia-moves-to-become-latest-south-american-country-to-ban-bullfighting-18167325

Colombia's congress has passed a bill banning bullfighting, a popular yet controversial pastime in the South American country with hundreds of events drawing thousands of spectators every year.

If approved by President Gustavo Petro, who has in the past supported restrictions on bullfighting, the ban will come into effect in 2027.

The lower house gave the bill the green light with a 93 to 2 vote.