4 min
April 12, 2024 Daily News Brief
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- News
US curbs diplomats' movements in Israel over Iran ultimatum
The United States has issued a security alert to its diplomats in Israel, asking them to cut down their daily outdoor activities. The American embassy in Jerusalem cited concerns of Iranian retaliation over an Israeli strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus earlier in April that left seven Iranian military officials dead.
An embassy notice said, "Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel" outside the Tel Aviv, West Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice.
No Security Council 'consensus' on Palestinian UN membership: presidency
Members of the UN Security Council failed to reach a consensus on a bid by Palestinians for full UN membership.
Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who holds the council's rotating presidency for April, confirmed that the deadlock continued during a closed-door meeting.
Israelis protest against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv
Protesters have again taken to the streets in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of dozens of captives held in Gaza.
Demonstrators carried large photos of captives as well as signs with slogans, some in English and some in Hebrew.
US House speaker negotiating Ukraine aid with White House
House Speaker Mike Johnson is negotiating with the White House as he prepares for the treacherous task of advancing wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel through the House, a top House Republican said.
House Republican Leader Steve Scalise told reporters that Johnson had been talking with White House officials about a package that would deviate from the Senate's $95 billion foreign security package and include several Republican demands.
Japan calls for law-abiding fix to handling of frozen Russian assets
Japan's finance minister Shunichi Suzuki said that any handling of frozen Russian assets must abide by international law. He added that the topic will likely be discussed at next week's meeting of his counterparts from G7 advanced economies.
The EU and the Group of Seven nations (G7) froze some 300 billion euros of Russian central bank assets following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The EU and G7 have been debating if and how these funds can be used for over a year.
China, Türkiye must dissuade Iran from retaliating against Israel — Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged his Turkish, Chinese and other counterparts to use their influence to dissuade Iran from striking Israel, the State Department said.
Blinken spoke by telephone over the past day to his Chinese, Turkish, Saudi and European counterparts "to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Thursday.
CNN report on Gaza 'Flour Massacre' reveals Israeli disinformation drive
A CNN investigation has unveiled significant discrepancies in the Israeli military's account of a devastating incident on February 29 in Gaza, now widely referred to as the "Flour Massacre."
The CNN report, substantiated by eyewitness testimonies and video evidence, raises serious questions about the transparency of Netanyahu's extremist government, casting doubt on their official narrative.
US will defend Philippines from any attack in South China Sea — Biden
US President Joe Biden has pledged to defend the Philippines from any attack in the South China Sea, as he hosted the first joint summit with Tokyo and Manila amid growing tensions with Beijing.
"The United States' defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad," Biden said as he met Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.
US curbs diplomats' movements in Israel over Iran ultimatum
The United States has issued a security alert to its diplomats in Israel, asking them to cut down their daily outdoor activities. The American embassy in Jerusalem cited concerns of Iranian retaliation over an Israeli strike on Tehran's consulate in Damascus earlier in April that left seven Iranian military officials dead.
An embassy notice said, "Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel" outside the Tel Aviv, West Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice.
No Security Council 'consensus' on Palestinian UN membership: presidency
Members of the UN Security Council failed to reach a consensus on a bid by Palestinians for full UN membership.
Maltese Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who holds the council's rotating presidency for April, confirmed that the deadlock continued during a closed-door meeting.
Israelis protest against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv
Protesters have again taken to the streets in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and call for the release of dozens of captives held in Gaza.
Demonstrators carried large photos of captives as well as signs with slogans, some in English and some in Hebrew.
US House speaker negotiating Ukraine aid with White House
House Speaker Mike Johnson is negotiating with the White House as he prepares for the treacherous task of advancing wartime funding for Ukraine and Israel through the House, a top House Republican said.
House Republican Leader Steve Scalise told reporters that Johnson had been talking with White House officials about a package that would deviate from the Senate's $95 billion foreign security package and include several Republican demands.
Japan calls for law-abiding fix to handling of frozen Russian assets
Japan's finance minister Shunichi Suzuki said that any handling of frozen Russian assets must abide by international law. He added that the topic will likely be discussed at next week's meeting of his counterparts from G7 advanced economies.
The EU and the Group of Seven nations (G7) froze some 300 billion euros of Russian central bank assets following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The EU and G7 have been debating if and how these funds can be used for over a year.
China, Türkiye must dissuade Iran from retaliating against Israel — Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged his Turkish, Chinese and other counterparts to use their influence to dissuade Iran from striking Israel, the State Department said.
Blinken spoke by telephone over the past day to his Chinese, Turkish, Saudi and European counterparts "to make clear that escalation is not in anyone's interest and that countries should urge Iran not to escalate," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters on Thursday.
CNN report on Gaza 'Flour Massacre' reveals Israeli disinformation drive
A CNN investigation has unveiled significant discrepancies in the Israeli military's account of a devastating incident on February 29 in Gaza, now widely referred to as the "Flour Massacre."
The CNN report, substantiated by eyewitness testimonies and video evidence, raises serious questions about the transparency of Netanyahu's extremist government, casting doubt on their official narrative.
US will defend Philippines from any attack in South China Sea — Biden
US President Joe Biden has pledged to defend the Philippines from any attack in the South China Sea, as he hosted the first joint summit with Tokyo and Manila amid growing tensions with Beijing.
"The United States' defense commitments to Japan and to the Philippines are ironclad," Biden said as he met Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday.
4 min