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Palestinians to US: Don’t shut our mission, will cease all links with Washington

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Palestinians to US: Don’t shut our mission, will cease all links with Washington

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Saudis working to implement Israel-US plan in Palestine

Palestinian officials have threatened to cease all communications with Trump administration if it closes down their diplomatic mission in Washington. The mission known as General Delegation of People’s Liberation of Palestine to the US is situated some 5 km from the White House.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Saturday, “We will put on hold all our communications with this American administration.” He added that the decision was “very unfortunate and unacceptable,” and accused Washington of giving in to Israeli pressure.

He further noted that “we are trying to cooperate to achieve the ultimate deal.”

The Palestinian reaction came after US State Department threatened to close the Palestinians’ diplomatic office in Washington unless they enter into direct, meaningful negotiations with Israel.

According to AFP, the Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al Malki said that US State Department had sent a letter to Palestinian Authority two days ago saying that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had not found enough reasons to keep the office open.

He was quoted saying, “This has not happened in the past, and we have demanded clarifications from the State Department and the White House. They told us that there would be a meeting of senior legal experts on Monday. Then they would give a clear answer.” He also also said that they “will not accept any extortion or pressure.”

The Palestinian threat came on the day when Lebanese PM Saad Hariri has arrived in Paris from Saudi Arabia.

The issue of Israel’s expanding illegal settlements on Palestinian land is considered to be the most vexed issues of the region. Israel does not heed to UN resolutions asking to halt further expansion of  its illegal settlements.

US President Donald Trump has recently said that he wants to work towards “the toughest deal of all” for resolving the Israel-Palestine issue in the Middle East.

While addressing UN General Assembly in September, Donald Trump said, “I think we have a pretty good shot – maybe the best shot ever – and that’s what we’re looking to do. I certainly will devote everything within my heart and within my soul to get that deal made.”

There are reports of renewed Saudi Arabian pressure on Palestinian President Mehmoud Abbas to accept the American formula. Abbas was suddenly summoned to Ryadh in the first week of November, around the same time when Lebanese PM Saad Hariri was asked to reach Riyadh.

Mehmoud Abbas obeyed the instruction and travelled to Saudi Arabia having a stopover in Cairo to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. Palestinian President met with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh.

According to November 6 report published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, “The visit was not planned but after being in touch yesterday, it was decided that Abbas would make a quick visit to Saudi Arabia.”

The daily had articulated that “Saudis are also likely to raise the issue of Iran’s involvement with Palestinians, particularly in light of senior Hamas officials’ recent trip to Iran and after Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah cited a united front between Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah.”

The Palestinians are under pressure to start direct and meaningful talks with Israel. Washington says that Trump administration has 90 days to determine if Palestinians are in “direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.” If so, the mission will be reopened.

Hanan Ashrawi, the member of PLO executive committee has said that the US was “disqualifying itself as a peace broker in the region” with its refusal to extend the law.

“Conditioning the renewal of the waiver on the Palestinians’ sticking to ‘direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel’ is actually superfluous since negotiations are nonexistent, and the current US administration has yet to present any kind of peace initiative,” she said.

According to a State Department official, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has crossed the line in September when he called for an International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute Israeli crimes.

mehmoud-abbas

While speaking at UNGA in September, Palestinian President Mehmoud Abbas had called for the ICC to “open an investigation and to prosecute Israeli officials for their involvement in settlement activities and aggressions against our people.”

Less than a month ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration in January this year, the UN Security Council had adopted a resolution calling on Tel Aviv to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem”.

More than six lakh Israelis live in 230 illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. These settlements have been built after 1967.

Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In 2014, the last round of Israeli-Palestinian talks was collapsed because of the major sticking points about the Israel’s continued settlement expansion.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Slovakia’s Prime Minister safe after surviving multiple gunshot

The assailant critically injured 59-year-old Prime Minister Fico by shooting him five times.

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Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed today that Prime Minister Robert Fico’s condition is stable, with his life no longer in immediate danger, following an alarming incident where he was shot multiple times.

The Prime Minister was shot by an assassin while he was leaving a meeting on Wednesday.The assailant critically injured 59-year-old Prime Minister Fico by shooting him five times.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Fico was urgently airlifted to the hospital, where he underwent extensive surgery that lasted several hours. Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, addressing reporters from outside the hospital where Fico was receiving treatment on Wednesday, described the Prime Minister’s condition as critical, emphasising that he was fighting for his life.

The identity of the suspect is yet unconfirmed as the police further investigate. Unconfirmed reports from local media suggest that the assailant may have been a 71-year-old writer and political activist.

A video is currently circulating in which the alleged perpetrator can be seen. In the clip, he mentions that he does not agree with government policy.

The shooting has sparked international concern. Expressing shock over the incident, PM Modi conveyed his solidarity with the people of the Slovak Republic, wishing Prime Minister Fico a speedy recovery. He strongly condemned the shooting, denouncing it as a cowardly and despicable act while emphasising the need for unity against such violent acts and reaffirming India’s support for Slovakia during these challenging times.

Earlier, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also expressed disapproval of the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico . On X, she stated that such acts of violence have no place in society, undermining democracy, the most precious common good. Von der Leyen extended her thoughts to Prime Minister Fico and his family, highlighting the European Union’s solidarity during this challenging time. The condemnation from EU leadership underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for a united stance against violence targeting political figures. As the investigation unfolds, international support for Slovakia remains steadfast, emphasising the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring the safety of leaders across Europe.

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World Earth Day 2024: Google Doodle showcases aerial view of planet’s natural beauty

Google celebrated Earth Day 2024 with a special doodle featuring an aerial view of our planet’s biodiversity.

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Google shared a doodle today to celebrate World Earth Day 2024, which showcased aerial photos of the planet’s biodiversity and natural beauty. Google reminded us of the importance of protecting planet earth for future generations with the help of this doodle.

The Google letters depict specific locations across the globe where people, communities, and governments work every day to help protect the planet’s natural beauty, biodiversity, and resources, according to the explanation of the annual Earth Day 2024 doodle on their website.

It said, these examples remind us that there’s much more to do to address the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, but also offer the promise of hope and optimism.

The islands of Turks and Caicos are represented by the letter “G.” The islands’ conservation efforts are concentrated on protecting important regions for biodiversity and addressing persistent environmental problems.

The largest reef in the southern Gulf of Mexico and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, Scorpion Reef National Park, is represented by the letter “O” in the Mexican flag.

The letter “O” features Iceland’s Vatnajokull National Park, which was designated as a national park in 2008 following decades of advocacy. The ecology within and surrounding the biggest glacier in Europe is safeguarded by this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The letter “G” has the Jau National Park in Brazil on it. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the biggest forest reserves in South America.

The Great Green Wall of Nigeria is represented by the letter “L,”  and the Pilbara Islands Nature Reserves of Australia are represented by the letter “E.”

Meanwhile, Earth Day is a worldwide event that promotes protection of the environment every year. April 22 serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation efforts and sustainable practices to guarantee a healthier world and a brighter future.

The occasion inspires people across the world to come together and take action to protect the environment, strengthening our bonds with nature and promoting good change.

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Bigg Boss 14 contestant Rahul Vaidya struggles walking in knee deep water, compares Dubai rains with Mumbai floods

Singer and TV personality Rahul Vaidya was recently stranded in the Dubai rains.

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Rahul Vaidya, who was in Dubai ahead of his show which was scheduled to take place today, left the country due to heavy rains and reached Kolkata. The artist shared on social media his encounters in the UAE city, including challenges like walking through knee-deep water. Rahul provided an update regarding the heavy rainfall in Dubai on his Instagram profile.

The Bigg Boss 14 contestant revealed that he was in Kolkata and prepared to do an evening performance. Recalling the terrifying period he went through, Vaidya said there was a lot of confusion and panic in Dubai. The situation was similar to that when heavy floods hit Mumbai in 2005.

Vaiday also posted seval other images and videos of cars that were underwater and flooded roadways. The Bigg Boss 14 contestant, who shared his ordeal, claimed that even though it had just rained for two hours, the situation was dire.

In one of the video, which went viral he can be seen struggling in walking in knee-deep water. He can be also seen holding his sneakers in one hand and with other hand he was seen managing other things.

This is the result of the two hours of rain that it had, he can be heard saying in the video. Vidya also said he dosen’t believe Dubai is accustomed to a lot of rain. Everything had stopped working, he remarked.

After taking part in the first season of the singing reality show Indian Idol, Rahul Vaidya gained widespread recognition. In addition to Bigg Boss, he took part in Khatron Ke Khiladi 11.

Meanwhile, heavy rains that triggered flooding in the UAE and Bahrain, which left 18 people dead in Oman on Sunday and Monday, have paralyzed the financial hub of the Middle East, Dubai.

A lot of incoming flights were diverted from Dubai’s international airport because of the rain. At 7:26 p.m., the busiest airport in the world for foreign visitors stopped accepting new arrivals; a gradual resumption was announced for more than two hours later.

Images of planes navigating flooded tarmacs are making the rounds on social media.

According to pictures shared on social media, the flagship malls Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates both experienced heavy floods, while at least one Dubai Metro station had water up to the ankles.

There were several road collapses, severe flooding in residential areas, and numerous reports of leaks from windows, doors, and roofs.

Due to the unfavourable weather, schools around the United Arab Emirates were forced to close, and as more storms are predicted, the closures are anticipated to last until Wednesday. The government of Dubai allowed its staff to work remotely till this Wednesday.

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