Qatar PM meets with Trump after Israeli attack on Doha
Today's news: An airstrike by Myanmar’s junta hits two schools in Rakhine, killing 18. Nepal's president dissolves parliament and announces new elections in March, following the swearing-in of caretaker Prime Minister Sushila Karki. A UN report denounces the progressive deterioration of human rights in North Korea. An all-women sports channel is launched in Saudi Arabia.
QATAR - ISRAEL - USA
Donald Trump dined yesterday in New York with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The two leaders discussed Israel’s attack in Doha against a Hamas delegation engaged in hostage and truce talks in Gaza. This failed operation, condemned by much of the international community, threatens to undermine attempts at dialogue to end the conflict. The US president expressed his annoyance over the raid in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and tried to reassure Qatar that it would not happen again. Informed sources say the two leaders discussed Qatar’s future as a mediator in the region and defence co-operation in the wake of the attack by the Jewish state.
MYANMAR
At least 18 people were killed in an airstrike carried out by Myanmar’s military junta against two private schools in Thayet Thapin, a village in an area controlled by an ethnic Arakan militia in the western state of Rakhine. Most of the dead were students aged 17 and 18. Arakan Army spokesperson Khaing Thukha said a fighter jet dropped two bombs on Pyinnyar Pan Khinn and A Myin Thit private high schools.
NEPAL
Nepali President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved parliament last night and announced legislative elections for 5 March 2026, at the suggestion of the new prime minister, Sushila Karki, who had been sworn in a few hours earlier, making her the country's first woman head of government. The 73-year-old former chief justice was chosen as caretaker leader after violent anti-corruption protests left 51 dead and more than 1,300 injured, forcing Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
NORTH KOREA
A UN report released yesterday, based on hundreds of interviews, shows a deterioration of human rights in North Korea, amid suffering, repression, and increased fear. More than a decade after the first report, released in 2014, it emerges that the situation has not improved; on the contrary, in many cases it has deteriorated, and no other population in the world is today subjected to such a restrictive environment. The regime has even sentenced people to death for watching or distributing foreign media programmes, including popular South Korean dramas.
SAUDI ARABIA
The All Women's Sports Network (AWSN), in co-operation with the football federation and the national broadcaster Saudi Sports Company, launched a channel yesterday entirely dedicated to women's sports. In Saudi Arabia women athletes have been an untapped pool of talent in the conservative Islamic state for many years, with a ban on girls' sports in effect until 2017 and a ban on entry in stadiums lifted only the following year. The launch coincides with the start of the Saudi Women's Premier League season, broadcast nationally and globally for the first time.
MALAYSIA
Malaysia plans to introduce mandatory seat belt for all drivers and passengers of private vehicles. The director general of the Road Transport Department (JPJ) made the announcement as part of a campaign launched on Thursday aimed at improving road safety. Those who fail to buckle up will face fines of up to RM 300 (US$ 90).
RUSSIA
Among the many Russian drone strikes in Ukraine, with some drones crossing into Poland, one has been particularly painful for Ukrainians, the one in the city of Sumy, where a drone hit the country's iconic Holy Resurrection Cathedral of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which was crowded with worshippers during a liturgical service. No casualties were reported, but the building suffered major damage.
KAZAKHSTAN
In a message to the country, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced a referendum to abolish the Senate and move to a unicameral parliament. This is seen by many as a step towards boosting the power of the legislative branch of government and curbing the president’s autocratic rule. Others, instead, believe that while it might speed up decision-making, it will not enhance democratic governance.
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12/02/2016 15:14
17/08/2017 10:58
