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16/11/2023 ---- 22/11/2023

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22.11.2023
THEME: WORLD

BRICS Summit Advocates for De-escalation and Resolution in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, a matter of global concern, has prompted the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to take proactive steps. On November 21, 2023, an extraordinary virtual summit, steered by Chinese President Xi Jinping, gathered the BRICS leaders to deliberate on a unified standpoint and response to the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza.

The summit, attended by nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Argentina, and the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, urged Israel and Hamas to exercise maximum restraint. The BRICS leaders denounced the violence affecting Palestinian and Israeli civilians and called for an immediate and lasting humanitarian truce, aiming to prevent further destabilization of the region.

Distinct from the US, Germany, Israel, the EU, and others, BRICS refrained from labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization. Instead, they reiterated their backing for a two-state solution, supporting the concept of an independent Palestinian state.

Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested an "international peace conference" to resolve the conflict, coinciding with representatives from the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Indonesia visiting Beijing for discussions.

The summit wasn't devoid of controversy. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa accused Israel of war crimes, a charge Israel strongly refuted. In reaction to the conflict, South Africa involved the International Criminal Court (ICC) for investigations and withdrew all its diplomats from Israel, prompting Israel to recall its ambassador to South Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite Russia's ongoing Ukraine invasion, criticized the US and suggested BRICS could mediate the conflict. Putin attributed the ongoing Gaza conflict to US unilateralism, claiming it had marginalized other Middle East Quartet members, including Russia, the UN, and the EU.

The Palestinian Health Ministry reports that the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in over 13,000 civilian casualties, emphasizing the urgency for an immediate ceasefire, a stance strongly advocated by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The summit's joint statement urged Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law and allow “unrestricted and sustained humanitarian access”. It also cautioned Israel against displacing Palestinians from Gaza. Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi demanded a binding resolution to halt attacks on Gaza and label Israel as a terrorist regime, while Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman criticized the killing of innocent civilians and the destruction of health facilities and places of worship.

The BRICS meeting, a precursor to a virtual G20 meeting hosted by India, demonstrates the growing influence of BRICS as a counterbalance to the Western G7 group. A delegation of Arab diplomats, appointed by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, is visiting various capitals to garner support, with China and Russia being their initial stops.

The Egyptian foreign ministry stated that the diplomats have drafted a new resolution to address hurdles and imbalances in humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza. Egypt condemns the continued bombing targeting displaced people in the south, viewing it as an attempt to enforce displacement of Palestinians.

In conclusion, the BRICS summit, with its call for de-escalation and resolution, has amplified the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in international discourse. The world now eagerly anticipates the outcome of these diplomatic efforts towards achieving peace in the region.

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22.11.2023
THEME: WORLD

The Israel-Hamas Conflict: A Battle of Hostages, Hunger, and Hospitals

The escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, marked by hostage-taking, a worsening food crisis, and the targeting of hospitals, reached a brief pause on Wednesday when Israel's Cabinet approved a temporary cease-fire deal. This agreement, secured on November 22, included the release of 50 Israeli hostages seized by Hamas during terror attacks, and the liberation of 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that this pause is not indicative of an impending end to the conflict.

The toll of the war is heavy. Hamas' cross-border incursion into Israel resulted in around 240 hostages and approximately 1,200 deaths, while the retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza have allegedly killed over 13,300 Palestinians, including at least 5,600 children. The international community has reacted with alarm, with South Africa severing diplomatic ties with Israel and Chinese President Xi Jinping suggesting an "international peace conference" to address the Palestine issue.

The conflict has also triggered a severe food crisis in the Gaza Strip, due to the closure of crossings, mass displacement, and bombing of bakeries. The United Nations reported that no bakery in northern Gaza has been operational since November 7, due to a lack of fuel, water, wheat flour, and structural damage. This crisis has been aggravated by Israel's total blockade of the Gaza Strip since October 7, restricting the entry of aid convoys.

Amidst the chaos, there are claims that Hamas has a command center located beneath Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. This allegation has prompted international concern, with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak advocating for the protection of the Al-Shifa hospital. Hamas, however, denies these claims, suggesting that Israel might use this information to justify attacks on medical facilities.

The European Union's foreign ministers have called for "immediate pauses in hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors," and the release of remaining hostages in their joint statement on the conflict. Despite the EU's unified statement, member states are divided, with some nations advocating for a total cease-fire, while others argue that this could benefit Hamas and undermine Israel's right to self-defense.

The ground reality remains bleak, with Israeli strikes persistently targeting Gaza City, and health officials reporting thousands trapped in hospitals with no electricity and dwindling supplies. The war has displaced over two-thirds of Gaza's population, with more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and minors, killed since the conflict began.

The conflict continues with Israeli troops surrounding four hospitals in Gaza, including Al-Shifa, which is on the brink of collapse. The Ministry of Health in Gaza refers to the situation as a "war on hospitals," with the sick and wounded overflowing the corridors due to a lack of beds. As the conflict persists, the hope for peace remains elusive, with the reverberations of war echoing across the globe.

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20.11.2023
THEME: WORLD

Argentina Elections: A New Era Under President Javier Milei?

In a historic shift, Argentina has elected libertarian economist Javier Milei as president, signaling a potential overhaul of the nation's economic policy. Often compared to figures like Donald Trump and Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, 53-year-old Milei has pledged to halt Argentina's economic downturn. His victory, which garnered 55.7% of the vote against former Economy Minister Sergio Massa's 44%, reflects a strong desire for change among the Argentine populace.

Milei's win comes at a time when Argentina grapples with severe economic challenges, including triple-digit inflation, a strictly controlled peso, shortages in essential commodities, and a public debt exceeding $400 billion. Despite these daunting issues, Milei remains undeterred. He has vowed to collaborate with nations worldwide to rebuild Argentina's economy, a proposition that has resonated with his supporters and attracted international attention.

However, Milei's victory has sparked controversy. Critics liken him to polarizing figures like Trump and Bolsonaro, and his economic reform plans, including closing the central bank and adopting the US dollar as the official currency, have been met with skepticism. Sergio Massa, representing the populist Peronist coalition, warned that Milei's policies could exacerbate the plight of Argentina's poor.

Despite criticism, the election results underscore the Argentine people's desperation for change. Economic hardships have pushed two in five Argentines into poverty, and the annual inflation rate has soared to a staggering 140%. Amid these grim statistics, Milei's election offers a beacon of hope for a nation in crisis.

The world is now closely watching Argentina as it embarks on this new era under President Milei. Will his radical economic reforms bring the much-needed change, or will they exacerbate the nation's crisis? The future is uncertain, but what is clear is that Argentina's political and economic landscape is poised for a significant shake-up, the impact of which will be felt globally.

As President Milei takes office, the world waits in anticipation to see if his promised changes will indeed herald the end of Argentina's economic woes. This moment signifies more than a new chapter in Argentina's history; it's the opening of a new book, and the world is eager to read on.

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16.11.2023
THEME: WORLD

A New Chapter in Sino-American Relations: The 2023 Xi-Biden Summit

The Xi-Biden summit, held on November 15, 2023, at the Filoli estate in California, marked a significant turning point in the Sino-American relationship. The meeting, which followed Chinese President Xi Jinping's departure from Beijing for the China-US summit and the 30th APEC Economic, aimed to restore communication channels between the world's two largest economies. The focus was on avoiding potential conflict, particularly through the military, and renewing economic and trade talks.

In a bid to mend the strained relationship, US President Joe Biden and President Xi agreed to maintain open lines of communication during periods of disagreement, a key step towards diplomatic progress. The four-hour summit was a direct and substantial exchange, with both leaders expressing their concerns and aspirations for their respective countries.

A significant outcome of the summit was the agreement on curbing fentanyl production and restoring military communication. China committed to targeting companies producing precursor chemicals to fentanyl, a narcotic causing a significant drug crisis in the US. Additionally, Xi agreed to mechanisms addressing potential military miscalculations and forums to present concerns, marking a departure from previous Chinese reluctance to re-establish military-to-military communications.

The leaders also touched on the sensitive issue of Taiwan. Xi expressed that Taiwan's situation is the most dangerous issue in US-China relations. In response, Biden reiterated the US's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region and urged China to respect Taiwan's electoral process.

The summit also saw Biden raising concerns about the harassment of American businesses in China and restrictions on technology exports. Despite these issues, the leaders agreed to collaborate on artificial intelligence, with Biden urging China to increase transparency on nuclear matters.

The summit was highly choreographed, with US officials, including Sullivan, Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and US climate envoy John Kerry, laying the groundwork and reestablishing diplomatic channels beforehand. They acknowledged the need for understanding and cooperation on issues like climate change, countering narcotics trafficking, and artificial intelligence.

However, the US-China relationship remains complex despite the progress made at the meeting. The Xi-Biden summit signifies a new chapter in Sino-American relations. Despite the challenges ahead, the outcomes of the meeting hint at a cautiously optimistic future for diplomatic relations between the two superpowers. The world now waits to see how these agreements will be implemented and their impact on the global landscape in the years to come.

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