Podcasts about defence ministry

Israeli air strike on Gaza school kills over 20 Palestinians "At least 20 Palestinians were killed and dozens were wounded after an Israeli air strike hit a Gaza school sheltering displaced families, local officials say. Women and children were among the victims, with some bodies severely burned. Israel's genocidal war, now in its five-hundred-ninety-seventh day, has claimed over fifty-three-thousand-nine-hundred Palestinian lives, with more than eleven-thousand still missing under the rubble. Global outrage is growing as humanitarian conditions for Palestinians worsen due to the Israeli blockade. Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Ministry has overspent its war budget by four-point-seventeen billion dollars, sparking heated tensions with the Finance Ministry, which warns the gap may reach $7 billion. " Putin has gone absolutely crazy after Ukraine attack: Trump "US President Donald Trump has fiercely condemned his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, saying he's “gone absolutely crazy” after Moscow's massive weekend missile attack on Ukraine. Trump accused Putin of deliberately killing civilians and warned that trying to seize all of Ukraine could trigger Russia's downfall. While distancing himself from the conflict, Trump calls this conflict “Zelenskyy's, Putin's, and Biden's war.” The latest Russian assault is recorded as one of the largest strikes since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began three years ago." US delays EU tariffs while negotiating trade terms "US President Donald Trump has agreed to delay a looming 50 percent tariff on EU goods until July 9, following talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Trump called the extension a ""privilege,"" while von der Leyen pledged swift, decisive negotiations to secure a fair deal. The move signals a temporary thaw in US-EU trade tensions, although key disputes over tariffs and regulations still loom, calming jittery global markets for now." Pakistan channels surplus power into bitcoin mining "In a bold tech-forward move, Pakistan will channel 2,000 megawatts of surplus electricity to bitcoin mining and AI data centres, the finance ministry announced. Spearheaded by the Pakistan Crypto Council, the initiative aims to harness excess power, boost high-tech employment, and attract global investment. Amid rising tariffs and a solar surge, the plan marks phase one of a sweeping digital infrastructure rollout designed to monetise idle energy and reshape the nation's tech landscape." Fenerbahce Beko win their second EuroLeague title "Turkish basketball club Fenerbahce Beko claims their second Turkish Airlines EuroLeague title, beating AS Monaco 81-70 in a thrilling final. The Istanbul giants dazzled with sharp shooting and relentless defence, led by standout performances from Nigel Hayes and Marko Guduric. Under coach Sarunas Jasikevicius's strategic guidance, Fenerbahce sealed a historic win, becoming the only Turkish club with multiple EuroLeague crowns."

Houthis vow to attack US warships, carriers "Yemen's Houthi leader Abdul Malik al Houthi vowed to intensify attacks in response to US military operations, warning that drones and missiles will target American warships and aircraft carriers. Speaking in a video statement, al Houthi declared they would respond to escalation with escalation and accused the US of turning the sea into a battlefield. He also said that the US would now be included in the Houthi-imposed naval blockade, alongside Israel, as long as its aggression persists." Armenian forces attack Azerbaijani troops: Baku "Azerbaijan on Sunday said that its military positions were fired upon by Armenian forces in three separate incidents along the border. The Defence Ministry reported gunfire from Armenian troops near the Khazinevar, Burun and Digh settlements. Armenia has denied the claims. The renewed friction comes just days after both nations announced progress on a draft peace deal aimed at ending decades of conflict." Russia seeks 'ironclad' guarantees in Ukraine war "Moscow is demanding ""ironclad"" guarantees in Ukraine peace talks, insisting on Kiev's neutrality and exclusion from NATO. This comes as Washington pushes for a 30-day ceasefire, with talks expected between the US and Russian presidents this week. Separately, Ukraine's military leadership sees a shake-up with the appointment of Major General Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of General Staff, aiming to bolster operational efficiency." Deadly suicide attack strikes Pakistan military forces "A vehicle-borne suicide bomber targeted a military convoy in southwest Pakistan, killing at least five, including three Frontier Corps troops and wounding over 43 others, according to officials. Security forces suspect the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is behind the bombing. Three suspected terrorists were killed in the security operation in the volatile district of Noshki in Balochistan after the attack, the Pakistani military said. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as several victims remain in critical condition. The attack followed Pakistan's recent anti-terror operation against the BLA, which killed dozens of terrorists after a deadly train hijacking ambush." Netanyahu moves to dismiss Shin Bet chief over Hamas attack fallout "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to propose the dismissal of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar to the government, citing a ""lack of trust."" The decision follows tensions over an internal investigation into the agency's failure to foresee Hamas's October 7 attack. While Shin Bet admitted lapses, it also pointed to Netanyahu's policies as a contributing factor. The dismissal is poised to stir significant controversy within Israel."

For review:1. Iran Supreme Leader Not Interested in Talks with "Bullying" Countries. Iran's Supreme leader has criticized "bullying" countries in an apparent response to US President Donald Trump's letter demanding negotiations over its nuclear program.2. Israel on Sunday prepared to send a delegation to Doha for further talks on the Gaza truce.3. Israel's Energy Minister on Sunday instructed the Israel Electric Corporation to immediately cut off the supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip, in an apparent bid to pile pressure on Hamas, where 24 hostages presumed to be alive, and the bodies of 35 more, are still held.4. Russian Forces Advance in Kursk Region. Russian forces on Sunday recaptured three more settlements in Russia's western Kursk region, the Defence Ministry said (Russian), as part of an operation to evict Ukrainian troops holding chunks of territory seven months after a cross-border incursion.5. Norway will more than double its aid to Ukraine in 2025 to bring the annual total to $7.8 billion, Prime Minister Jonas Store announced Thursday.6. France on Friday began handing over military bases in Senegal, as part of a withdrawal of troops from the west African nation where it has had a presence since 1960. The withdrawal follows the departure of French forces from Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Ivory Coast in recent years.7.    Iran - Russia - China Naval Drills in Indian Ocean. The drills “will begin on Tuesday in the port of Chabahar,” located in southeast Iran on the Gulf of Oman, the Tasnim news agency said, without specifying their duration.                    Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka will attend as observers.8. The U.S. military's classified mini-space shuttle- the X-37B- returned to Earth on Friday after circling the world for 434 days. The space plane blasted into orbit from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in December 2023 on a secret mission. Launched by SpaceX, the X-37B vehicle carried no people, just military experiments.

The families of fourteen South African soldiers who lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are set to receive the remains of their loved ones today. The South African government has vowed that the 14 SANDF members who died in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo will be given decent send-off. The soldiers were fatally caught in the crossfire two weeks ago during clashes between the DRC army and M23 rebels. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to South African National Defence Force's spokesperson Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala

Netanyahu supports Trump's plan for Palestinian expulsion from Gaza "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal of Palestinian ethnic cleansing from Gaza, asking in a Fox News interview, ""What's wrong with that?"" He suggested that Gaza residents could leave, return or relocate as part of so-called rebuilding efforts. Meanwhile, Israel is officially pulling out of the UN Human Rights Council or UNHRC, aligning with Trump's move. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar declared, “Israel joins the US and will not participate in the UNHRC.”" Türkiye, Germany urge global action for two-state solution "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier are calling for urgent global action to secure a lasting ceasefire in Gaza and revive the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Speaking in Ankara, both leaders stressed the need for diplomacy and adherence to international law. ""As the international community, we must continue our efforts for a two-state solution,"" Erdogan said. Steinmeier also slammed Donald Trump's proposal to expel Palestinians, calling it “unacceptable.”" Russia, Ukraine swap 150 prisoners of war with UAE mediation "Russia and Ukraine each returned 150 servicemen, marking another step in ongoing negotiations. Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed its troops are in Belarus for medical and psychological care before heading home. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the return of troops from various military branches, calling it “a good day.” Both nations thanked the United Arab Emirates for brokering the deal, signaling continued diplomatic efforts despite the war's relentless toll." UN reports 2,800 deaths in DRC's Goma due to escalating violence "The death toll from the fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo's eastern city of Goma has surpassed 2,800, according to the United Nations. Despite a declared ceasefire, the M23 rebel group, backed by Rwandan forces, has resumed its offensive, seizing key areas. The intense fighting has sparked international concern, with fears of a wider regional conflict. Diplomatic efforts are underway to de-escalate the situation. However, the renewed violence persists, with ongoing concerns about its impact on the civilian population." "A federal judge in the US has issued a nationwide injunction blocking President Trump's executive-order seeking to end birthright citizenship for children born in the country to undocumented immigrants. The judge ruled that the order violates the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalised in the United States. This is the second court to block the order, which has been met with widespread legal challenges. The Trump administration has argued that children born in the US to undocumented immigrants are not ""subject to the jurisdiction"" of the United States and therefore not entitled to citizenship."

UN says 17,000+ children without their families in Gaza Israel's genocidal war in Gaza has seen children killed, starved, frozen to death, orphaned and separated from their families, the UN humanitarian chief has said. At a UN Security Council meeting, the humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said that ""a generation has been traumatised." "Conservative estimates indicate that over 17,000 children are without their families in Gaza," he said. Report reveals Google's secret AI support for Israel amid war on Gaza "Google has continued providing AI technologies to Israel's military-industrial complex despite public attempts to distance itself from the country's violent aggressions, according to a report by the Washington Post. According to the newspaper's investigation, Google has been supporting Israel's Defence Ministry and military with artificial intelligence tools since the onset of its attacks on Gaza on October 7, 2023, even as its employees protested the Nimbus cloud computing contract. The company documents reveal Google expedited access to its Vertex AI service for the Israeli Defence Ministry. Internal communications show Google employees were concerned about losing potential contracts to competitors like Amazon if they did not quickly provide AI technology access." Dozens of diplomats, officials ousted in sweeping reset at State Department "In a swift and sweeping move, the Trump administration has directed dozens of senior State Department officials to step aside, triggering one of the most extensive leadership shake-ups in recent history, according to US media. Career diplomats and political appointees alike, including some in top roles overseeing US foreign policy, have been reportedly instructed to vacate their positions in recent days as President Donald Trump's team accelerates its plans to realign the Department with the administration's vision. This dramatic overhaul, which includes the departure of key figures such as John Bass and Geoff Pyatt, has sent shockwaves through Foggy Bottom." M23 rebels battling DRC army approach Goma city after seizing Sake town "Panic has spread in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo's main city, with M23 rebels steadily inching closer to Goma and seizing a nearby town as they battle the Congolese army. Bombs were heard going off in the city's distant outskirts and hundreds of wounded civilians were brought in to the main hospital from the area of the fighting. The rebel group has pushed significantly in recent weeks, closing in on Goma, which has around 2 million people and is a regional hub for security and humanitarian efforts." Climate shocks disrupted schooling for 242M children in 2024 — UN "Extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year — roughly one in seven students, the UN children's agency has reported. It deplored what it said was an ""overlooked"" aspect of the climate crisis. Heat waves had the biggest impact, the report showed, as UNICEF's executive director Catherine Russell warned children are ""more vulnerable"" to extreme weather."

A video showcasing a new Chinese stealth fighter jet, suspected to be a 6th-generation machine, has taken social media by storm. The timing couldn't be more striking. As this footage goes viral, India grapples with a stark contrast. The country has yet to field a stealth fighter jet, and the Defence Ministry has just formed a high-level committee to address critical gaps, including a severe shortage of fighter jets, weapons, and equipment, in the Indian Air Force's arsenal, TOI reported. The video went viral shortly after this episode's recording. The committee, featuring DRDO chief Samir V Kamat, defence production secretary Sanjeev Kumar, and IAF deputy chief Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, aims to chart a path forward. But is this the game-changer the IAF desperately needs? Can the committee offer immediate solutions to the fighter jet shortage? Will it deliver a long-term roadmap for the IAF's capability development, or is this another bureaucratic exercise with no tangible outcomes? With just 36 Rafale jets inducted so far and a 110-jet acquisition proposal still unresolved, how will the IAF bridge its glaring “capability voids”? And what role will indigenous production play in addressing these gaps? Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor address these pressing questions. Tune in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound mix by Nitin Rawat

①China's finance ministry has announced a more proactive fiscal policy for 2025. What are the key goals behind this approach, and how will it impact the Chinese economy? (00:48)②The Philippines says it plans to acquire US Typhon missile system. What are the potential implications for regional peace and security? (13:35)③Why has Donald Trump proposed the controversial idea of taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal? (24:28)④Nine countries have confirmed their readiness to become BRICS partners. (34:10)⑤Syria says ex-rebel groups agree to integrate under Defence Ministry. (43:21)

Syria's de facto leader has reached an agreement to dissolve and consolidate rebel groups under the defence ministry. Also on the programme, is Israel nearing a hostage deal with Hamas? And, a Nasa spacecraft has made history with the closest-ever approach to the Sun.(Photo: A child looks on next to a flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers, during a protest against the burning of the Christmas tree in Hama, in Damascus, Syria December 24, 2024. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh)

The new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said it was his aim to unite and stabilise the country

*) Israel kills over 110 Palestinians in one day The Israeli army continues to brutally target displaced people, civilians, municipal teams and others. In just 24 hours, the Israeli army has killed more than 110 people, Palestinian media office in Gaza says. One of the deadliest Israeli attacks on a school-turned-shelter in the northern town of Beit Hanoon left at least 43 people dead. More than 213 shelters have been targeted in Israeli attacks since the start of its genocide last year and at least 94 civil defence personnel also lost their lives in Israeli bombardment. The media office also said the Israeli army has carried out successive massacres against medical teams and hospitals in recent days, killing several doctors and staff. *) UN envoy meets HTS leader to discuss Syria's future The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria has met with the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Ahmad al Sharaa, to discuss recent developments in Syria. According to information from Syrian interim government sources, Geir Pedersen visited Damascus for the first time since the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime to meet with Sharaa. During the meeting, Sharaa emphasised the need to update and align the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 with the current realities of the situation in Syria. He highlighted the necessity of quick and effective cooperation to address the issues facing Syrians. *) South Korea's Yoon faces summons amid martial law probe, impeachment trial South Korean law enforcement authorities are pushing to summon impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol for questioning over his short-lived martial law decree as the Constitutional Court began its first meeting on Yoon's case to determine whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. A joint investigative team involving police, an anti-corruption agency, and the Defence Ministry said it plans to request that Yoon's office hold him for questioning on Wednesday as they expand a probe into whether his ill-conceived power grab amounted to rebellion. *) Mass grave and drug factories uncovered in Damascus A mass grave was discovered in the Husainiyya district of the Syrian capital Damascus. The discovery comes as part of search and investigation efforts continued across Syria following the fall of Bashar al Assad's regime. The mass grave is located in the southeastern part of the capital, just behind Damascus Airport. A villa in Syria's capital Damascus was identified as a drug production hub linked to Maher al Assad, the brother of ousted regime leader Bashar al Assad. Since the collapse of the decades-long Baath regime on December 8, drug manufacturing centres across Syria have been steadily uncovered. *) Cyclone Chido wreaks havoc in French-colonised archipelago Several hundred people may have been killed by Cyclone Chido in the French-colonised archipelago in the Indian Ocean. The French interior ministry said it would be difficult to account for all victims and said a figure could not be determined at this stage. Cyclone Chido swept through Mayotte overnight, bringing winds of more than 200 kilometres per hour and damaging makeshift housing, government buildings and a hospital.

*) Syria's Damascus falls to opposition forces The Assad regime has largely lost control of Syria's Damascus, as opposition forces entered the centre of the capital city and anti-regime demonstrators occupied key strategic locations. Anti-regime forces entered the centre of Damascus without any serious fight from the regime of Bashar al Assad, whose whereabouts are still unknown. Protesters rose against the regime in many neighbourhoods, while regime forces pulled out from critical sites such as the Defence Ministry, Interior Ministry and the international airport. The regime has largely lost control of Damascus. *) Israel continues to bomb Gaza Meanwhile Israel continues with its relentless bombing of Gaza. Israel struck the Tuffah neighbourhood, east of Gaza City, killing three Palestinians and wounding others. Tel Aviv also bombarded a residential compound near Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north of the enclave. Local sources said Israel targeted Saftawi neighbourhood in the north of Gaza City, killing four women. *) Israel's attacks on Palestinians are a post-modern Holocaust:Emine Erdogan Türkiye's First Lady Emine Erdogan has stressed that Israel's atrocities in Palestine constitute a "post-modern Holocaust," and are part of a calculated campaign to erase an entire people and their culture from history. Erdogan said in an address at the Doha Forum 2024 in Qatar thart we are witnessing in Palestine is not a war. It is an attempt to impose a world order in which only the strongest and cruellest survive, while other lives are easily expendable. She urged the international community to confront the ongoing violence. *) South Korea's ex-defence minister arrested over martial law plot South Korean prosecutors have arrested ex-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law. The prosecution's special investigative team has questioned Kim, who voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. Kim faces a travel ban as prosecutors investigate. *) Several people dead in Ecuador road accident The rescue officials have said an accident in south Ecuador involving a passenger bus left at least 16 people dead and eight others injured, The crash took place in Ecuador's Loja province bordering Peru. The bus collided with a car travelling in the opposite direction and overturned dramatically, according to local media.

Schrödinger's Defence Minister, at once busy and visible yet strangely inconsequential and intangible, what can one make of Andrei Belousov, his rise and his chances of achieving anything in his current role?The entry page for the Conducttr online crisis exercise on Russian sabotage I mentioned is @ https://www.conducttr.com/russian-sabotageThe podcast's corporate partner and sponsor is Conducttr, which provides software for innovative and immersive crisis exercises in hybrid warfare, counter-terrorism, civil affairs and similar situations.You can also follow my blog, In Moscow's Shadows, and become one of the podcast's supporting Patrons and gain question-asking rights and access to exclusive extra materials including the (almost-) weekly Govorit Moskva news briefing right here. Support the show

With plans to be integrated with most other indigenously designed aircraft, it makes sense for India to push for integrating the Uttam AESA radars with Rafale-Ms.----more----Read full article here: https://theprint.in/opinion/defence-ministry-on-its-way-to-finalising-rafale-m-deal-it-is-both-good-bad-news/2255712/

Euphoria swept through Georgia last December when the country was officially recognised as an EU member candidate - something Georgians overwhelmingly longed for.But this enthusiasm was crushed last week when the EU halted Georgia's accession process and froze the 30 million euros in assistance to its Defence Ministry.Why? Because of a specific law adopted by the Georgian parliament.What's this bill all about? And how will it affect Georgia's path to becoming a member of the EU?Europe, Day by Day is a Europod production in partnership with Sphera Network. The executive producer of Europe, Day by Day is Alexander Damiano Ricci. The host of Europe, Day by Day and the scriptwriter of this episode is Emma Belmonte. This episode was produced and edited by Seden Anlar.Original soundtrack by Thomas Kusberg. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India's quest for military modernization has been marked by significant reforms in recent years. In this episode, Raj Shukla provides insights into the progress and challenges faced in this transformation. He highlights the importance of technological integration, jointness, and civil-military fusion in strengthening India's deterrence.The conversation delves into the need for a comprehensive national security makeover, emphasizing reforms like integrated theater commands, and a cultural transformation in civil-military relations. Shukla also discusses the impact of geopolitical shifts, particularly the rise of China, on India's strategic imperatives.How have reforms fared over the past ten years? What is the way forward for defense industry, tri-service jointness, and civil-military relations? Does India's nuclear posture need a rethink?  Does it need to raise new forces in the emerging domains of space and cyber?Episode ContributorsRaj Shukla is a member of the Union Public Service Commission, Government of India, and a former general officer commanding in chief of the Indian Army's Army Training Command (ARTRAC). With over four decades of distinguished service, he has a deep interest in strategic military affairs and is a distinguished fellow at the Center for Land Warfare Studies.Yahoo: rajshukla35@yahoo.comYouTube: @LtGenRajShuklaInstagram: @ltgenrajshuklaTwitter: @Gen_RajshuklaFacebook: @Raj ShuklaSaheb Singh Chadha is a research analyst in the Security Studies Program at Carnegie India. His research focuses on China's foreign and security policies, India-China relations, and India's military modernization. He is broadly interested in the geopolitics of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific. He is also a researcher on a project examining the nature and dynamics of cross-border violence and its impact on civilian communities. Twitter: @SahebSChadhaAdditional ReadingsThe Absent Dialogue: Politicians, Bureaucrats, and the Military in India by Anit Mukherjee Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie JacbosenFrom Surprise To Reckoning: The Kargil Review Committee Report What is Shekatkar Report, Defence Ministry's First Order of Business After Lockdown by Snehesh Alex PhillipNaresh Chandra Task Force's Report on National Security: An Appraisal by Nitin GokhaleMOMENTOUS CHANGES: Defence Reforms, Military Transformation, and India's New Strategic Posture by Anit Mukherjee, Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan, Nishant Rajeev Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

This week, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited announced a significant development: the Defence Ministry has issued a Request for Proposal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) as part of the government's push to boost defence indigenisation. Of these, 90 will be allocated to the Indian Army and 66 to the Indian Air Force (IAF). Currently, 15 Prachands are in service with the IAF and 5 with the Indian Army. The LCH was formally named Prachand in October 2022.What Makes the Prachand Special?The Prachand, a marvel of modern engineering, is the world's only attack helicopter capable of landing and taking off at 5,000 meters (16,400 ft). This unique feature makes it ideal for high-altitude operations in challenging areas like the Siachen glacier and eastern Ladakh. Equipped with a range of air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, it can neutralise enemy air defence operations.In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor explore the significance of light combat helicopters, the history of the Prachand's development, and how it compares with the Boeing Apache, of which the IAF operates 22 and the Army 6.The duo explores these key questions: Why do the Air Force and Army have separate combat helicopter divisions? Will the new acquisition reduce India's reliance on Western or foreign equipment? Can India achieve greater self-sufficiency in defence capabilities with these additions?Tune in to find out!Produced by Anna PriyadarshiniSound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Hamas sees no sign of Israel agreeing to Biden's truce plan https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/live-blog-hamas-sees-no-sign-of-israel-agreeing-to-bidens-truce-plan-18172710 Hamas said it has shown “full positivity” in efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement with Israel in Gaza. In a statement, the Palestinian resistance group said it urged the US to pressure Israel to accept a deal leading to a permanent ceasefire in the blockaded enclave. Hamas said that while US officials have said Israel has accepted a ceasefire proposal outlined by President Joe Biden on May 31 and later backed by the US, the group has not not heard any Israeli official confirm the development. *) Israel keeps 9,170 Palestinians captive against 116 Israelis Hamas holds https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/israel-keeps-9170-palestinians-captive-against-116-israelis-hamas-holds-18172722 The detention disparity is clear. Even as the global powers are pressing Hamas to release 116 Israeli hostages, there's minimal demand for Israel from the same powers to free more than 9,170 Palestinians it has abducted since October last year. According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, Israeli authorities have committed “horrific crimes” against prisoners, leading to at least 18 deaths since Israel's brutal war began, while it is estimated that dozens of detainees from Gaza have been killed. *) Russian nuclear-powered submarine, other naval vessels dock in Cuba https://www.trtworld.com/latin-america/russian-nuclear-powered-submarine-other-naval-vessels-dock-in-cuba-18172706 A Russian nuclear-powered submarine and other naval vessels have arrived in Cuba for a five-day visit in a show of force amid spiralling US-Russian tensions. The submarine Kazan, which Cuba says is not carrying nuclear weapons, was accompanied by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, as well as an oil tanker and a salvage tug. Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement that prior to entering the Havana port, the fleet “completed an exercise on the use of high-precision missile weapons.” *) Amid far-right surge, Ramelow warns of division between east, west Germans https://www.trtworld.com/europe/amid-far-right-surge-ramelow-warns-of-division-between-east-west-germans-18172546 The electoral show by the far-right AfD party in the just-concluded European elections could drive a wedge between East and West Germany, the top elected official of the country's Thuringia province has said. Minister-President Bodo Ramelow of the German free state of Thuringia warned that “emotional unity is breaking down.” Ramelow told a local newspaper that in social networks after the European elections, many users were questioning “where is the gratitude of East Germans,” adding that such comments weren't needed right now. And finally… *) More than 1.5M Muslims arrive in Mecca for annual Hajj pilgrimage https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/more-than-15m-muslims-arrive-in-mecca-for-annual-hajj-pilgrimage-18172453 Muslim pilgrims have been streaming into Islam's holiest city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia ahead of the start of Hajj later this week Saudi officials say more than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims have arrived in the country, the vast majority by air, from across the world. More are expected, and hundreds of thousands of Saudis and others living in Saudi Arabia will also join them when the pilgrimage officially begins on Friday.

*) US, Israel to discuss Rafah invasion in virtual meeting: report The US and Israel will hold a virtual meeting to discuss alternative proposals from the Biden administration regarding a possible Israeli military invasion of Rafah, where more than 1.5 million Palestinians are taking refuge, Israeli and US officials confirmed to Axios. The meeting, originally scheduled for last week, was cancelled by Netanyahu in protest at a perceived lack of US involvement as tensions escalated after the US refrained from vetoing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. *) Israeli forces admit most Gaza killings are civilians The Israeli newspaper Haaretz collected testimony from Israeli officers and soldiers involved in the Gaza war who reportedly admitted that the majority of individuals classified by the army as “terrorists” were actually civilians. The Israeli army claimed that 9,000 terrorists were killed during the Gaza war. However, the officers and soldiers in the report testify to Haaretz that those killed were civilians, their only crime being crossing an invisible line drawn by the Israeli army. Another soldier also stated that they were explicitly instructed to shoot to kill any suspect who ran into a building, even if it resulted in serious civilian casualties. *) Azerbaijan warns Armenia against military ‘provocation' along border Azerbaijan has warned Armenia against any military build-up on the border, saying any provocation would be dealt with firmly. In a statement on Sunday, Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry said intensive movements and military build-ups by the Armenian army had been observed recently. The ministry also added that there has been a further activation of revanchist forces threatening Azerbaijan with war and a concentration of manpower, armoured vehicles, and artillery installations in different directions of the Azerbaijani-Armenian conditional border. *) Rockets target Libyan PM's residence, no casualties reported The residence of Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah was targeted with rocket-propelled grenades in an attack that caused no casualties, a Libyan minister told the press. The minister, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the attack had caused some damage. The minister did not give further details. *) Erdogan declares local elections ‘turning point' for Türkiye Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the results of the local elections marked a “turning point” for his Justice and Development Party. Regarding the outcome of the local elections, Erdogan vowed to “respect the decision of the nation.” Speaking from the party's headquarters in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said his party had failed to achieve the expected results in Sunday's local elections and that the party “would evaluate the results of the local elections with an open heart within the party and will engage in self-criticism.”

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 28th of February and here are the headlines.In a shock result, the BJP emerged victorious on Tuesday in the election for the single vacant Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal Pradesh, where the Congress is in power, with 40 MLAs in the 68-member Assembly. While the defeat is embarrassing for the Congress, now there is a possibility of its government collapsing, should it fail to pass the Budget in the ongoing Session. Meanwhile, 15 BJP MLAs, including the Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Assembly, were suspended from the House by the Speaker today for alleged misbehaviour and shouting slogans.Around 3,300 kg of narcotic drugs were seized from an Iranian boat off Gujarat coast late on Tuesday and five men suspected to be Iranian nationals were apprehended in a joint operation by the Navy, the Narcotics Control Bureau and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad. The Defence Ministry said that this was the largest drug haul seizure in recent times. The seized contraband included 3,089 kg of charas, 158 kg of methamphetamine and 25 kg of morphine.Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone for a new launch complex of ISRO in Tamil Nadu. The Rs 986 crore facility is set to accommodate 24 launches per year. ISRO Chairman S Somanath said acquisition for the launch complex has been completed and the construction of the launch complex is expected to be completed in two years.As the BJP staged a protest outside the Karnataka Assembly today, alleging that Congress supporters had raised ‘Pakistan Zindabad' slogans on Tuesday after their candidate Syed Nasir Hussain's victory in the Rajya Sabha polls, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said “strict action will be taken” if the allegations were proven true.Though Hussain denied the BJP's allegations and said some of his followers had raised “Nasir Saab Zindabad” slogans, Bengaluru city police registered a suo motu case over the alleged incident.Leader of Opposition of Kerala assembly today said that the Congress Party will contest 16 seats in Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and allocation of seats within the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) for the general elections has been finalised. Like in the previous polls, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second largest coalition partner in UDF, would contest in two seats.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Israel's Prime Minister has again rejected the idea of a Palestinian state - something the US supports; will it damage their alliance? Jordan's Foreign Minister sets out Arab thinking on a sustainable future. Also in the programme: does the combination of climate change and more precise techniques mean it's time to embrace GM crops? And why was Stalin included in an Icon in a Georgian cathedral?(IMAGE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convenes the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 7, 2024 / CREDIT: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Pool)

In 2024, India's focus on strengthening its air power centers around the Tejas, its indigenous fighter aircraft. The Defence Ministry's approval for acquiring 97 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A marks a significant step in bolstering the Indian Air Force's capabilities.With just two Tejas squadrons currently in operation, the Air Force faces the challenge of maintaining its strength at 31 squadrons, well below the standard requirement of 42. In a discussion between India Today TV Output's Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami, the implications of this shortfall are explored. Why is the benchmark of 42 squadrons crucial, and what hurdles arise from not meeting this target?What are the reasons behind India's reliance on foreign aircraft? Shiv questions the over-reliance on foreign fighters, and having eight different types of aircraft, labeling it a "zoo" and a "beauty contest" of aircraft. Why is managing eight different aircraft types a challenging nightmare?Listen in to know why Shiv believes that Built-in-India is a fig leaf, why it has not worked for India at all, and what Made-in- India fighters of foreign origin actually mean for the Indian exchequer.Listen in!Produced by Anna PriyadarshiniSound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

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Course Advertisement: Admission to Takshashila's Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (GCPP) programme is now open. Start your 2024 with a course that will equip you with the tools to understand the world of public policy. Check all details here. India Policy Watch: In Search Of GrowthCurrent policy issues in India— RSJA quick macro update. The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met this week and, as was widely expected, kept the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent for the fifth consecutive time. The Governor gave the usual explanation of global political risk, higher volatility in global financial markets, and continued inflationary expectations as the reason for keeping the policy stance unchanged as ‘withdrawal of accommodation'. And the Governor was quite clear that there is no ‘inadvertent' signalling to the market that it has actually moved to a ‘neutral' stance with its prolonged pause on rate hikes:“Reaching 4 per cent (inflation target) should not just be a one-off event. It has to be durably 4 per cent and the MPC should have confidence that 4 per cent has now become durable.We are very careful in our communication. There is no inadvertence in any of our communication. So, if somebody is assuming that it is a signal to move towards a neutral stance, I think it would be incorrect.”Well, that takes care of any possibility of a rate cut before next year's elections. And what's the need, really? Between now and the elections, there's always an inflation risk on vegetable and food prices. Also, while crude oil price has been on a downward trend during this year which has helped on the inflation front, there's no guarantee how that will trend given the global geopolitical situation remains uncertain. Most importantly, what's the need to signal any rate cut when the GDP growth numbers are coming in significantly above even RBI's somewhat optimistic forecasts at the start of the year? Q2 GDP grew at 7.6 percent, almost a full percentage point above estimates, leading the central bank to up its full-year forecast to 7 per cent. All good news so far. Further, the RBI note had this optimistic comment for the near term:“The healthy twin balance sheets of banks and corporates, high capacity utilisation, continuing business optimism and the government's thrust on infrastructure spending should propel private sector capex.” Well, you can go back to the past six quarters, and you will find similar sentiments about an impending private sector capex boom from both the government and the private sector. But it is turning out to be a bit of a mirage. While both the corporate and bank balance sheets are the healthiest they have been in the past two decades, there is a continued ‘wait and watch' approach on capex, which has mystified most observers. While the consumption growth remains robust, there are early signs that this lag in private capex is beginning to slow down corporate revenue growth. From the Business Standard:“.... the slowdown in corporate revenue growth over the last one year has begun to reflect in India Inc's capital expenditure as there is a close correlation between growth in net sales and investment in fixed assets. The net sales of 725 companies, excluding BFSI and state-run oil & gas firms, were up 4.2 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) in H1FY24 – the lowest half-yearly increase in the last three years and down sharply from 12.2 per cent growth in the second half of FY23 and 31.3 per cent growth in the first half of FY23.”As if on cue, the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA), picked the issue of sluggish private capex at a CII event this week. Instead of the expected anodyne address at events of this nature, he made some very insightful points. First, he correctly pointed out that to expect consumption to continue to drive GDP growth while private capex sits out for as long as it has defies logic. Consumption, as we have pointed out more than a few times here, is the residual factor. And that's exactly the point the CEA made (again quoting the Business Standard):“Waiting for demand to arise before they start investing will actually delay the onset of such demand conditions happening, because usually consumption has to be the residual. Investment leads to employment, which leads to income generation and which in turn creates consumption and then the savings are recycled back into the investment. So the more the corporate sector delays its investment, this virtuous cycle will not materialise.”Then he mused on what might be holding the private sector back despite strong balance sheets, robust GDP growth and a general sense of global optimism about India's prospects:“So what is holding it (corporates) back? It is easy to say that there is general demand uncertainty. Post Covid, recovery has started. But one thing we have to remember is that this decade is going to be the decade of uncertainty, whether we like it or not. So for us to wait for the uncertainties to abate or recede, [its] like waiting for the waves to subside before taking a dip in the ocean. That is not going to happen.”I won't be surprised if there will be more plain-speaking to corporate India coming in the next few quarters on private capex from the government—three reasons for that. First, the government has pushed its capex targets in the last two budgets and, somewhat surprisingly, kept pace with them. The public capex has grown at a CAGR of over 30 per cent in the last three years. It is now about 3.3 percent of GDP as opposed to the 1.5 per cent it used to be pre-pandemic. The government has found resources to fund this capex by trimming subsidies following the pandemic and by the continued growth in tax collections because of the efficiencies brought in with GST and the rapid digitalisation of the financial system. However, given the fiscal deficit constraints, this public capex growth will be difficult to sustain at this clip. Couple that with the recent data that shows household savings at a multi-decade low of 5.1 per cent of GDP, there is no other lever of growth to pull except private capex.  Second, given global uncertainty and the ‘higher for longer' expectations in developed economies, the annual FDI flows have been the lowest in this fiscal year than at anytime in the past decade. The venture money in the form of investments by VCs and PEs has also dried up with a general ‘funding winter' that has left all but a few startups untouched. While there's stronger global demand for the MSME sector that's visible across the board, it will start hitting the wall of lack of funds in the near term unless large capex projects take off and the general sentiment of investment picks up in the private sector, which then lifts all boats. Third, this government is instinctively fiscally conservative and likes to stick to its targets. It has set a target to reduce the fiscal deficit by 1.5 per cent of GDP in the next two years. That apart, the imminent inclusion in global bond indices will also mean a greater level of scrutiny of public accounts. The government would like to project an image of fiscal prudence to boost confidence of investors. So, I don't see a continued heavy lifting through public capex as has happened in the past couple of years.Which then brings us back to private capex and that question of what's stopping it from taking off. I think CEA has a point on the general aversion of the corporates to any kind of uncertainty which has continued for so long that it seems like despite all the talk, they are unable to take the final leap in making that investment. Will this go away in due course? I guess it is possible that the Lok Sabha elections may be the final trigger which may kickstart the process. But that apart I think there are two other points that remain unaddressed. One, the promoters are yet to come to terms with the new regime of greater scrutiny by banks when they borrow, an insolvency process where they can lose control of their companies and the limited degrees of freedom to do the kind of ‘excesses' they did in the past in the garb of capex. These ‘reforms', while good for the economy as a whole, haven't been fully assimilated in the minds of Indian promoters. The better-governed promoters will start taking the leap, and others will reluctantly come along after appreciating this is the only way things are going to get done from here on. Two, while there have been good steps to improve the ease of business, there is a huge opportunity to push for more fundamental factor market reforms to improve risk-taking and bring in a new generation of entrepreneurs in sectors beyond services. Possibly, this should be the big agenda if the inevitable third term materialises in May 2024. Private capex is the big lever still waiting to be pulled. Growth cannot come out of thin air, after all.Numbers that Ought to Matter: In the ongoing Parliamentary session, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare answered a question on the number of medical colleges and MBBS seats in India. There are 706 medical colleges in India, admitting 1,08,848 MBBS students annually. Over the last ten years, the number of MBBS seats in India has more than doubled (there were 51,348 seats on offer in 2014). However, the total number of seats on offer is quite low despite India now having the largest number of medical colleges in the world. On average, each medical college has just 154 seats. By 2020, China had 420 colleges offering 286,000 seats (i.e. 680 seats per college). Government policy should focus on helping existing colleges scale up. For more context, read edition #159.Also, do check the new Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha websites. They are useful data sources. Navigating the questions and government responses is much easier now. However, a lot of data remains locked in PDF files. That's for another day. A related project idea: Someone should parse the “Question Subject” field and classify it into meaningful categories. Maybe AI tools can help here. This data could be a proxy for the subjects that India cares most about. The next step would be to track if the subjects inviting the most questions successfully influence government policy. Any takers?A Framework A Week: A Taxonomy of Defence InnovationTools for thinking about public policy— Pranay KotasthaneOn November 30th, the Defence Ministry approved IAF's capital acquisition proposal for 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft. This move signals a major shift — India's armed forces have accepted the Tejas platform as a replacement for their inventory of old and outdated, mostly Russian, aircraft. This news item got me thinking about the process of defence innovation. What are the factors governing defence innovation? How are these factors related to each other? Why do some countries do better on this front than others? A search for answers to these questions led me to an excellent framework by Tai Ming Cheung in the Journal of Strategic Studies.Instead of identifying a simplistic policy answer, Cheung looks at defence innovation as a system composed of several interrelated factors, as shown in the chart below. In Cheung's classification, there are seven types of factors:* Catalytic factors are exogenous inputs that disrupt the defence innovation system. Examples include external threats, top-level leadership support, and revolutionary breakthrough opportunities. * Contextual factors account for all path-dependent variables such as historical legacy, level of development, market size, etc.* Input factors are the ingredients of defence innovation. Examples include Foreign Technology Transfers, budget allocations, human capital quality, and Civil–Military Integration.* Organisational factors refer to the capabilities and mandates of organisations set up to deliver defence products. * Institutional factors refer to shared norms, plans, strategies, intellectual property protection, and government-market relations.* Networks and sub-systems include formal and informal networks linking various sub-systems.* Output factors shape the final products coming out of the system. Examples include sales, marketing, commercialisation, and maintenance.This approach allows the author to create a typology of defence innovation regimes, wherein specific pathways within the chart get amplified. Two such types relevant to India are incremental and rapidly catching-up regimes. In incremental catch-up regimes, catalytic factors don't play a significant role. Such countries produce incremental improvements by parsing input factors such as technology transfers through organisational factors (military and state agencies) and institutional factors (plans, strategies, and norms). The paper identifies India as a prominent example of this regime. Cheung illustrates the model as follows.Rapidly Catching-up Regimes are underdeveloped defence innovation systems pushed by catalytic factors towards increased resource allocations and a strong research and development sub-system. Cheung classifies North Korea and China in this category. This model is illustrated in the chart below.Readers should check the full paper and other regime types based on this framework. But the relevant question for us is this: has India transitioned from an incremental catch-up regime to a rapidly catching-up one? There are some positive signs. Catalytic factors are playing a far bigger role now than in the past. This is mainly because China's aggression and Pakistan's relative decline have led to a new emphasis on the defence innovation system. The PM's recent sortie in the Tejas illustrates that another catalytic factor—“top-level leadership support”—now has a more prominent role. There is also more focus on civil-military integration, diffusion networks, and technology development than in the past. And given that India enjoys a positive relationship with the US, the possibilities of “Foreign technology transfers” (a crucial input factor) are substantially higher than in the past.The weakness is in the organisational realm. That part of the system is still governed largely by state-run entities with low technology absorption capabilities and fewer incentives for efficient production. The capabilities of universities and laboratories are also quite limited. The procurement system, classified as a network and sub-systems factor, is another weak link that discourages innovation while protecting inefficient government-run firms. My subjective assessment using this framework is that India is catching up faster than before. It doesn't seem to be “rapidly” catching up, though. Further, the more radical pathways, which lead to rapid breakthroughs in defence innovation systems, remain out of reach. Whatever your assessment, Tai Ming Cheung's framework is useful and helps clear many cobwebs of defence innovation.HomeWorkReading and listening recommendations on public policy matters* [Question] What, according to you, is the Indian government's best sports policy to date? Please drop a comment with your reasoning. We will put across your views and ours in an upcoming edition.* [Podcast] The latest Puliyabaazi discusses the politics of polarisation. Gaurav Sood, a political scientist who has worked on this topic for over a decade, gives a detailed account of the psychological underpinnings of polarisation.* [Article] This article on industrial policy challenges some of our Bayesian priors. More importantly, it links to many recent papers showcasing empirical research on industrial policy measures.* [Article] A good article explaining how DARPA functions. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit publicpolicy.substack.com

*) UN chief says Hamas blitz 'didn't happen in a vacuum', riling Israel UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has rankled Israel at the United Nations Security Council meeting in which he stressed the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel "did not happen in a vacuum”. Opening the session on Tuesday, Guterres said there was no excuse for the operation by Hamas on Israeli settlements but also warned against "collective punishment" of the Palestinians. He then said Hamas operation "did not happen in a vacuum" as the Palestinians have been "subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation." His remarks infuriated Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. *) UNSC deepening crisis in Gaza with one-sided approach: President Erdogan The International community is failing in the face of Israel's lawless and indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Palestine's Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. In his message on the 78th anniversary of the United Nations, Erdogan thanked those working under its framework for peace and justice in the world. He said a party that is a bystander to "collective punishment" of the people in Gaza cannot offer hope to humanity, and ensure peace, stability *) Biden's Israel support angers Muslim Americans; could jeopardise 2024 votes Muslim Americans and their allies are criticising President Joe Biden's response to the Israeli war on Gaza, asking him to do more to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the blockaded enclave or risk losing their support in the 2024 election. Many Arab Americans and Muslim Americans are upset Biden has not pushed for any humanitarian ceasefire even as Palestinians are being killed by Israel's bombardment of besieged Gaza. In hotly contested Michigan, Arab Americans account for 5 percent of the vote. In other battleground states, Pennsylvania and Ohio, they are between 1.7 percent to 2 percent, said Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. Biden won Michigan with 50.6 percent of the vote in 2020, compared to 47.8 percent for Trump, and Pennsylvania with 50.01 percent to Trump's 48.84 percent, a difference of less than 81,000 votes. *) US is world's 'biggest disruptor' of peace — China The United States is the "biggest disruptor of regional peace and stability" in the world, China has said in a scathing response to a Pentagon report on China's growing military buildup. "The US has sent depleted uranium munitions and cluster bombs to Ukraine, sent its carrier battle groups to the Mediterranean and weapons and munitions to Israel, is this the so-called 'gospel' the 'human rights defender is bringing to the area?" said Wu Qian, the spokesperson for China's Defence Ministry. *) Netflix and Spielberg combine for 'binge watch' story of life on Earth "Life on Our Planet," the new natural history series from Netflix and Steven Spielberg, sets out to tell the entire, dramatic story of life on Earth in a serialised, "binge-watch" format. Streaming globally from Wednesday, the show's eight episodes transport viewers through Earth's five previous mass extinction events, each recreated with computer-generated visual effects. Aside from a series of cliffhanger finales, "Life on Our Planet" finds dramatic tension with a series of ordinary, loveable underdogs who "win" evolution against the odds — at least for a few hundred million years.

*) Militant attack leaves dozens of Nigerian soldiers dead Twenty-nine soldiers have been killed in western Niger in an attack by suspected militants, the Defence Ministry has said. The ministry said the soldiers were targeted using "improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles by more than a hundred terrorists". Two soldiers were seriously wounded and "several dozen terrorists" were also killed. According to the ministry, the attack took place near the country's border with Mali, during military operations aimed at "neutralising the threat posed by the Daesh" terror group. *) EU foreign ministers promise Ukraine billions of dollars EU foreign ministers have held talks with their Ukrainian counterpart in Kiev – the first time such a gathering has taken place outside of the bloc. It comes amid growing Western impatience over the war with Russia, especially after the Ukrainian counter-offensive didn't gather the pace many leaders had hoped for. Afterwards, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell proposed over 5 billion dollars in military aid for Kiev next year. Meanwhile, Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv will build the country's first fully underground school to shield pupils from Russia's frequent bomb and missile attacks. *) UN finds no civilian violence in Azerbaijan's Karabakh as operation ends The UN mission visiting Karabakh in Azerbaijan has not received reports of violence against Armenian residents and seen destruction against civilian infrastructure. The mission was in the region to assess the situation on the ground and identify the humanitarian needs of both the people remaining and those who are on the move. Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters the team surveyed the border checkpoint in Lachin and the city of Khankendi. *) Guatemalans block roads as anger grows over election interference Hundreds of Guatemalans have blocked key roads to demand the resignation of top prosecutors. The protesters accuse the prosecutors of trying to block the newly-elected president Bernardo Arevalo from taking office. One prosecutor even sent security forces to seize boxes of voting records. Arevalo is due to take office in January but observers and the international community have raised the alarm over efforts to challenge his election win. And finally… *) Trump decries New York trial over his business practices as 'scam' Former US President Donald Trump's fraud trial has gotten underway in Manhattan. Trump and his sons have been charged with inflating the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure better loan and insurance terms. Trump is at risk of losing his business in New York and paying millions of dollars in fines but he denounced the case as a politically motivated "scam".

Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin[a] (Russian: Евге́ний Ви́кторович Приго́жин, IPA: [jɪvˈɡʲenʲɪj ˈvʲiktərəvʲɪtɕ prʲɪˈɡoʐɨn]; 1 June 1961 – 23 August 2023) was a Russian mercenary leader and oligarch.[4] He led the Wagner Group private military company and was a close confidant of Russian president Vladimir Putin until launching a rebellion in June 2023.[5] Prigozhin was sometimes referred to as "Putin's chef" because he owned restaurants and catering businesses that provided services to the Kremlin.[6] Once a convict in the Soviet Union,[7] Prigozhin controlled a network of influential companies whose operations, according to a 2020 investigation, were "tightly integrated with Russia's Defence Ministry and its intelligence arm, the GRU".[8]

The Squiz is your shortcut to the news. More details and links to further reading for all of today's news can be found in The Squiz Today email. Click here to get it in your inbox each weekday morning. #Sponsored: Sign up to Cashrewards using the code “SQUIZ” and spend $20* within 7 days to receive a $20* welcome bonus. *T&C and exclusions apply #Sponsored: The Accelerator for Women's Kickstarter Challenge: Submit your new business idea into the or learn more here. Other things we do: Squiz Shortcuts - a weekly explainer on big news topics Squiz Kids - a news podcast for curious kids. Age-appropriate news without the nasties!

The president, Ahmed Bola Tinubu in his new list of portfolios assigned to minister saw yet again a northerner in the position of minister of defence and for the first time, state defence minister was named, both from Northwestern Nigeria.What is the idea behind this? Find out in this episode of Nigeria Daily.

*) Azerbaijan: Soldiers killed after Armenian provocation Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry has reported at least two Azerbaijani soldiers were killed after Armenian forces opened fire in the disputed Karabakh region. Azerbaijani soldiers tried to stop and check Armenian vehicles suspected of carrying illegal military transports to Karabakh, when shots were fired by the Armenian forces and a clash erupted. According to the local media, three Armenian police officers have died in the clash. *) Stationmaster charged over Greece train crash A stationmaster accused of causing Greece's deadliest train disaster has been charged with negligent homicide and jailed pending trial. The 59-year-old stationmaster allegedly directed a passenger train and a freight train travelling in opposite directions onto the same track. At least 57 people, many of them in their teens and 20s, were killed when the trains collided late on Tuesday in central Greece. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologised for any responsibility the country's government may bear for the tragedy. *) Rohingya camp fire renders thousands shelterless In southeastern Bangladesh, a fire has destroyed 2,000 shelters at a Rohingya refugee camp, leaving around 12,000 forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals shelterless. The fire rapidly engulfed camp number 11 in Kutupalong, one of the world's largest refugee settlements, according to Bangladesh's refugee commissioner. At least 35 mosques and 21 learning centres for the refugees were destroyed alongside the bamboo-and-tarpaulin shelters, though there were no reports of injuries or deaths. *) More schoolgirls reportedly poisoned in Iran More Iranian schoolgirls have been reported poisoned in several provinces, sparking calls for authorities to act amid growing concern among parents. The latest spate of poisonings affected dozens of schoolgirls who were taken to local hospitals for treatment, local news agencies reported. Since late November, hundreds of cases have been reported with at least 52 schools targeted around Iran, according to an official tally published on Saturday. *) Police reach Pakistan's former PM Khan's residence to arrest him Islamabad police have entered Pakistan's former Premier Imran Khan's residence in the northeastern Lahore city to arrest him. The court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Khan in the federal capital on February 28th, in connection with the illegal purchase and sale of gifts. Khan, the country's only premier who was ousted through a no-trust vote, is facing a slew of cases against him, including terrorism, attempted murder and money laundering. Most of the cases, which Khan dubs a "sham," have been lodged after his ouster.

Almost a month on from the insurrection in Brasilia, questions linger about the loyalty of Brazil's security forces and the potential for more violence. In scenes reminiscent of the storming of the United States Capitol, thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro ransacked Brazil's Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on 8 January.Dressed in the yellow and green of the Brazilian flag, the rioters claimed the October elections won by Bolsonaro's leftist rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, were rigged.Outnumbered legislative police officers in Brasilia fired tear gas and stun grenades as they tried to stop rioters from breaking into the Senate, footage released by TV Senado shows.But other images taken on the same day tell a different story. Lula, who was inaugurated at the start of the year, has said members of the military police and armed forces colluded with the rioters. France joins global condemnation of violent demonstrations in BrazilMilitarised politicsProfessor Marcio Moretto Ribeiro, an expert on polarisation at the University of São Paulo, questions whether all those responsible will face justice.“This is the most delicate thing happening now. We need now, for example, for the laws to be enforced against those people who committed the crimes in the Three Powers Square. And it's not entirely clear [...] if it will happen because you need the support of the military sector, and it's not so clear whether they are committed to democracy,” he says.Bolsonaro, a former army captain who stacked his cabinet with military officers, has repeatedly questioned the integrity of Brazil's voting system and refused to concede defeat in the October elections.The country's election monitoring authorities and the Defence Ministry found no evidence of fraud.However, for months Bolsonaro's supporters camped outside army bases, calling for the military to intervene.Video footage from 8 January has shown some police officers passively watching the rioters and members of the security forces dismantling a protective blockade. General Júlio Cesar de Arruda, Brazil's army chief at the time, reportedly blocked the arrests of insurrectionists.Daniel Serra, who voted for Bolsonaro in the elections, says the riots were caused by a mistaken belief that the country could return to military rule.“The former president, Jair Messias Bolsonaro, he kind of didn't pay attention to the people who were camped outside the barracks. And I think the people were creating things in their heads that didn't exist, that he could come and bring a military regime,” Serra says.The unrest has divided Bolsonaro's supporters. A poll by Atlas Intelligence conducted shortly after the riots showed an alarming 40 percent of Brazilians do not believe Lula won the election, but only 18 percent approved of the attacks. Lula's presidency builds up global hopes of saving Amazon rainforest The hand-to-hand struggle to fight Covid in Brazil's Amazonas stateSerra does not believe the election was rigged and is critical of the riots. “For me, as a Bolsonaro supporter, it didn't represent me because I found it very unethical. It's also anti-democratic because it destroyed important bodies such as the National Congress and destroyed historical works inside,” he says.“Don't generalise everyone who voted for Bolsonaro, just those extremists who did that in the centre of Brasilia,” he added. Authorities detained over 2,000 people suspected of involvement in the insurrection and several officials have been removed from their posts or arrested.Bolsonaro, who days before Lula took office flew to Florida in the US, where he has remained ever since, has been included in the Brazilian Supreme Court's investigation into the riots.'Belligerent opposition'After several recent attacks and plots, Brazil may face a persistent threat of political violence.“Apparently what January 8 indicates is that there seems to be a group of people in civil society who are willing to create opposition, which is a belligerent opposition, to take to the streets and to do eventually even violent protests for their agendas and I think that this will not be restricted to this election period,” Moretto Ribeiro says.“I think this will also show up at other times when the Lula government tries to advance certain progressive agendas,” he warns.At the Three Powers Square, where the three branches of government are located, security has been stepped up. Members of the elite National Security Force have been called in to patrol the area.There is evidence of the ferocity of the attacks here. The rioters smashed many of the windows of the Supreme Court. Security fencing outside the Planalto Palace, the office of the president, has been ripped up.There are also signs that Brazil's institutions are still calibrating their response to the unrest. On 25 January, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes fined the Telegram messaging app for not suspending the account of a pro-Bolsonaro congressman, Nikolas Ferreira.The following day, after facing criticism on freedom of speech grounds, the Supreme Court justice determined that Ferreira's social media accounts should be reactivated, albeit with some restrictions on what he can post.Lula's government is having to walk a fine line between punishing those it deems responsible for stoking unrest and trying to keep a deeply divided country together.

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*) Thousands of flights cancelled as US digs out from deadly superstorm Thousands of travellers are still stranded at airports across the US due to flight cancellations and delays caused by the deadly winter storm. Around 28-hundred flights were cancelled on Wednesday while almost half that number were delayed. Most of those cancellations were from Southwest Airlines. The number of deaths attributed to the storm, dubbed the “blizzard of the century”, has risen to at least 56. *) Live blog: Ukraine sees 'difficult year ahead' as Russia rejects peace plan Moscow says that no “peace plan” can exist for Ukraine if it does not accept its annexation of Luhansk and Donetsk in the east, and Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in the south. Ukraine has been pushing a 10-point peace plan that envisages Russia fully respecting Ukraine's territorial integrity and pulling out all its troops. Meanwhile, Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address that he saw “a difficult year ahead”. *) Global alarm grows as Covid infections surge in China The United States has become the latest country to impose restrictions on visitors from China, requiring negative Covid tests for all travellers from the mainland. The decision was a response to Beijing's decision to end mandatory quarantine on arrival, prompting many Chinese citizens to make plans to travel abroad. Hospitals across China have been overwhelmed by an explosion of Covid cases following Beijing's decision to lift strict rules that had largely kept the virus at bay but tanked its economy and sparked widespread protests. *) Turkish, Russian, Syrian defence ministers discuss Syria crisis in Moscow Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar has met the Syrian regime's defence minister in Moscow for the first time in more than a decade, in a meeting mediated by Russia's Defence Ministry. They discussed the war in Syria, the refugee crisis and efforts to fight all terrorist groups in the country. The Turkish Defence Ministry said the meeting, the first in a series of high-level negotiations, was constructive, and further talks for the stability and security of Syria and the wider region would continue. And finally… *) Twitter outages hit thousands of users worldwide Twitter users around the world have reported errors accessing it for several hours in one of the biggest outages since Elon Musk bought the platform. Twitter has been riven by chaos since the multi-billionaire completed his 44 billion-dollar acquisition in October and quickly moved to cut costs. Thousands of employees -- including engineers -- have since been fired or quit, raising concerns about Twitter's ability to quickly fix outages and technical problems.

For decades, Türkiye has been pushing to modernize its military hardware, with a particular focus on using homegrown technology. Everything from domestically produced combat drones, aircraft and naval ships, have entered Türkiye's armed forces. And now it's adding a new piece of equipment to that list. Earlier this month, Türkiye's Defence Ministry announced that it has successfully test fired a surface to air missile that will eventually be fitted onto naval ships. Built by Turkish defence manufacturer Roketsan, the missile was fired from an indigenous launch system called MIDLAS. The weapons will play a crucial role in replacing missiles developed by US firm Lockheed Martin. In recent years, Türkiye has stepped up its domestic arms research and development in response to US embargoes imposed under CAATSA sanctions, that have limited its access to US defence hardware. So how will these new missiles enhance Türkiye's defence capabilities and how does it compare to others in the region? Guests Zoltan Egeresi Security Analyst David Hambling Technology Journalist

Jeremy Bowen, International Editor at the BBC sits down with One Decision shortly after returning from the Ukrainian frontline, having been embedded with troops as government forces retook control of the occupied city of Kherson last month. A huge victory for Kyiv and a humiliating setback for Putin, who has this week admitted on television that his 'special operation' is likely to take a long time to complete, and tried to downplay rumors swirling of a second mobilization for more soldiers to join his invasion. Meanwhile, United States intelligence says that the Russians and Ukrainians are likely to pause the fighting over the bitter winter period - though aerial bombardment on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities is causing devastation for civilians facing freezing temperatures with no heating, water, or electricity. The United Kingdom's Defence Ministry says that the Russians may be preparing to attack more cities close to the areas they control in the east of Ukraine. As always, we will have an analysis by One Decision's Sir Richard Dearlove, the former chief of MI6.

Türkiye has launched new operations against the PKK and its YPG offshoots in Northern Syria and Iraq. Dubbed Operation Claw-Sword, the air strikes come just a week after the terror attack in Istanbul that left six people dead and dozens wounded. The operation was carried out over the weekend, against bases that were used by the YPG terror group. Türkiye's Defence Ministry said more than 80 sites were hit across Northern Syria and Iraq, including bunkers, weapon depots and terror training camps. Meanwhile, the YPG terror group has launched several rocket attacks against Türkiye's southern province of Gaziantep, killing at least three people on Monday. The rockets were reportedly fired from Kobani just across the border, where the YPG currently operates. The attack follows a similar barrage of rocket fire that the YPG launched over the weekend at Türkiye's Kilis province. So is Ankara readying for a wider operation to clear the YPG fully from its border regions? And will ground troops be involved? Guests: Tarik Oguzlu Professor at Istanbul Aydin University Necdet Ozcelik Security Analyst

Nato member Poland and the head of the military alliance both say a missile strike in Polish farmland that killed two people on Tuesday (yesterday NZ time) did not appear to be an intentional attack, and that air defences in neighbouring Ukraine likely launched the Soviet-era projectile against a Russian bombardment that savaged the Ukrainian power grid. “Ukraine's defence was launching their missiles in various directions and it is highly probable that one of these missiles unfortunately fell on Polish territory,” said Polish President Andrzej Duda. “There is nothing, absolutely nothing, to suggest that it was an intentional attack on Poland.” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, at a meeting of the 30-nation military alliance in Brussels, echoed the preliminary Polish findings, saying: “We have no indication that this was the result of a deliberate attack.” The initial assessments of the deadly missile landing appeared to dial back the likelihood of the strike triggering another major escalation in the nearly nine-month-old Russian invasion of Ukraine. If Russia had deliberately targeted Poland, that could have risked drawing Nato into the conflict. Still, Stoltenberg and others laid overall but not specific blame on Russian President Vladimir Putin's war. “This is not Ukraine's fault. Russia bears ultimate responsibility,” Stoltenberg said. Before the Polish and Nato assessments, US President Joe Biden had said it was “unlikely” that Russia fired the missile but added: “I'm going to make sure we find out exactly what happened.” Three US officials said preliminary assessments suggested it was fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian one. That assessment and Biden's comments at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia contradicted earlier information from a senior US intelligence official who told The Associated Press that Russian missiles crossed into Poland. Ukraine, once part of the Soviet Union, fields Soviet- and Russian-made weaponry, including air-defence missiles, and has also seized many more Russian weapons while beating back the Kremlin's invasion forces. Ukrainian air defences worked furiously against the Russian assault on Tuesday on power generation and transmission facilities, including in Ukraine's western region that borders Poland. Ukraine's military said 77 of the more than 90 missiles fired were brought down, along with 11 drones. Russia said it didn't launch the missile that landed in Poland. A Defence Ministry spokesman said no Russian strike on Tuesday was closer than 35km from the Ukraine-Poland border. The Kremlin denounced Poland's and other countries' initial response and, in rare praise for a US leader, hailed Biden's “restrained, much more professional reaction”. US President Joe Biden, left, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attend an emergency meeting of leaders at the G20 summit in Nusa Dua, Indonesia, after a missile landed in Poland near the Ukrainian border yesterday. Photo / AP “We have witnessed another hysterical, frenzied, Russo-phobic reaction that was not based on any real data,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. Still, Ukraine was under countrywide Russian bombardment on Tuesday by barrages of cruise missiles and exploding drones, which clouded the initial picture of what exactly happened in Poland and why. The Polish president said the projectile was “most probably” a Russian-made S-300 missile dating from the Soviet era. “It was a huge blast, the sound was terrifying,” said Ewa Byra, the primary school director in the eastern village of Przewodow, where the missile struck. She said she knew both men who were killed — one was the husband of a school employee, the other the father of a former pupil. Another resident, 24-year-old Kinga Kancir, said the men worked at a grain-drying facility, one as a guard, the other driving tractors. “It is very hard to accept,” she said. “Nothing was going on and, all of a sudden, there is a world sensation.” Ukraine said it wants immediate access to the site. Oleksiy Danilov, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, advocated on Twitter for a “joint examination of the incident”. In Europe, Nato members Germany and the UK laced calls for a thorough investigation with criticism of Moscow. “This wouldn't have happened without the Russian war against Ukraine, without the missiles that are now being fired at Ukrainian infrastructure intensively and on a large scale,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “This is the cruel and unrelenting reality of Putin's war.” Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference at the Nato headquarters, in Brussels overnight NZ time. Ambassadors from the 30 Nato nations gathered for emergency talks after Poland said a Russian-made missile fell on its territory, killing two people, and US President Joe Biden and his allies promised support for the investigation into the incident. Photo / AP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called it “a very significant escalation”. On the other end of the spectrum, China called for calm and restraint. Damage in Ukraine from the aerial assault was extensive and swaths of the country were without power. Zelenskyy said about 10 million people lost electricity but tweeted overnight that 8 million were subsequently reconnected, and repair crews were labouring through the night. Previous Russian strikes had already destroyed an estimated 40 per cent of the country's energy infrastructure. Ukraine said the bombardment was the largest on its power grid so far. Pope Francis said it caused him “great pain and concern”. A Washington-based think thank, the Institute for the Study of War, said Ukraine's downing of so many Russian missiles Tuesday “illustrates the improvement in Ukrainian air defences in the last month,” which are being bolstered with Western-supplied systems. Sweden said on Wednesday an air defence system with ammunition would form part of its latest and largest package of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, worth $360 million. The US has been Ukraine's largest supporter, providing $18.6 billion in weapons and equipment. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said flows of US weapons and assistance would continue “throughout the winter so that Ukraine can continue to consolidate gains and seize the initiative on the battlefield”. Russian attacks on Tuesday killed at least six civilians and wounded another 17, said a senior official, Kyrylo Tymoshenko. In the Kyiv region, a missile strike killed a 69-year-old woman visiting her husband's grave at a cemetery, the regional police chief said. In central Kyiv, a woman was killed in one of two residential buildings that were damaged, the mayor said. The Russian bombardment followed days of euphoria in Ukraine sparked by one of its biggest military successes — the retaking last week of the southern city of Kherson. It also affected neighboring Moldova. It reported massive power outages after the strikes in Ukraine disconnected a power line to the small nation. With its battlefield losses mounting, Russia has increasingly resorted to targeting Ukraine's power grid, seemingly hoping to turn the approach of winter into a weapon by leaving people in the cold and dark. - VASILISA STEPANENKO, APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eight years ago, Spain sent a batch of Patriot missiles to Türkiye's southern province of Adana. It was part of an air defence mission against threats emanating from Syria. Other NATO countries, including the US, Germany and the Netherlands also had stationed their Patriots in Türkiye. But over the ensuing years, all but Spain had pulled them out. Over the weekend, Türkiye's Defence Ministry announced that Spain was extending its Patriot missile deployment until next year. The country's Defence Chief, Hulusi Akar thanked his Spanish counterpart Margarita Robles for what he called, actions that support the spirit of the NATO alliance. Spain is the last remaining NATO member that still deploys Patriot missiles on Turkish soil. Back in 2012, as the civil war in Syria was escalating, Türkiye called on its NATO allies for air defence support against Syrian missiles that had hit several border towns. Guests: Ricard Gonzalez Journalist and Political Analyst Giray Sadik Director of European Studies Research Centre at AYBU

We explore the duties and challenges of military chaplains from two nations: Britain and Canada. Ian Wheatley, recorded at the Defence Ministry in Westminster, London, serves as Chaplain of the Fleet of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. Next, we visit with Padre Guy Chapdelaine, a soft-spoken Canadian who currently serves as Chaplain General […]

Raila Odinga says the figures are "null and void" after narrowly losing to William Ruto. Four electoral commissioners say there were significant flaws in the vote tallying process. Also: Russia's Defence Ministry admits that an ammunition depot in Crimea has been damaged by sabotage, and the smoky mouse in Australia - and efforts to protect dozens of threatened species from extinction.

Kenya's Opposition leader Raila Odinga says the results of the country's presidential election are "null and void". He says the outcome, announcing William Ruto the winner is a travesty. We get reaction. Also in the programme: Russia's Defence Ministry has admitted that one of its ammunition depots in Crimea has been hit by saboteurs; and how Australian scientists have released a group of critically endangered smoky mice into the wild. (Photo: William Ruto (R) called Wafula Chebukati (L), the head of the electoral commission, a "hero". Credit: Getty Images)

*) Republicans dub FBI raid on Trump house 'weaponised politicisation' Top Republican leaders have thrown their support behind former US president Donald Trump after an FBI raid on his Florida residence sparked a political firestorm. Trump's former vice president Mike Pence expressed "deep concern" and said the raid smacked of "partisanship" by the Justice Department. Kevin McCarthy, who is seeking to become the next House of Representatives speaker, accused the Justice Department of "weaponised politicisation." The FBI search marked a significant escalation of the federal investigation into whether Trump illegally removed records from the White House as he was leaving office. *) US police arrest 'prime suspect' in New Mexico Muslim murders New Mexico police have arrested a "prime suspect" believed to be involved in two of the four murders of Muslim men in Albuquerque. Authorities charged 51-year-old Muhammad Syed in the killings of two Muslim men and he is suspected of slaying two others. Police tracked down a vehicle of interest in their investigation of the murders, Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina wrote on Twitter. Medina said "the driver was detained and is our primary suspect for the murders.” *) Large explosions rock Russian air base in occupied Crimea Powerful explosions have rocked a Russian air base in the occupied Crimea, killing one person and wounding several others, authorities said. Russia's Defence Ministry said munitions blew up at the Saki base, and it emphasised that the installation had not been shelled. But Ukrainian social networks were abuzz with speculation that it was hit by Ukrainian-fired long-range missiles. There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities as the conflict entered its 167th day. *) Deadly IEDs target soldiers in northern Burkina Faso At least 15 soldiers have been killed in northern Burkina Faso when a transport vehicle drove over a hidden explosive device. The first explosion killed several troops before a second explosion killed those who rushed to their aid. The incident occurred on a rural road in the Bam province of the country's Central-North region, where soldiers and civilians are routinely targeted by insurgents, the army said. And finally… *) Serena Williams announces retirement from tennis after US Open Tennis great Serena Williams has said that she is planning to retire from the sport following the US Open which begins later this month. Williams wrote in a Vogue article that she "never liked the word retirement." She said that she is "evolving away from tennis" to focus on having another child and her business interests. Williams won her last Grand Slam in 2017 and has been chasing an elusive 24th crown that will draw her level with Margaret Court who holds the record for the most majors.

*) First shipment of Ukraine grain leaves Odessa under Türkiye-brokered deal As part of a recent deal brokered by Türkiye, the first ship carrying Ukrainian grain has departed from the port of Odessa to Lebanon. Loaded with corn, the Sierra Leone-flagged dry cargo ship Razoni left Odessa on Monday morning, Türkiye's Defence Ministry said in a statement. The ship is carrying over 26,000 tonnes of corn, the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Centre said. An earlier statement by the Turkish Defence Ministry said other convoys would follow "along the (maritime) corridors as the "procedures are completed". *) NATO-led KFOR ready to intervene amid Kosovo-Serbia tensions NATO's forces in Kosovo are prepared to intervene if stability is endangered in the north of Kosovo, KFOR has said in a press release. The commander of KFOR is in contact with all of his main interlocutors, as well as Serbian and Kosovar senior defence officials, to calm the tensions, the statement said. Tensions between Pristina and Belgrade are running high as air raid sirens were heard for more than three hours in the small border town of Mitrovica. *) ​​UN chief urges de-escalation amid tensions over Iraqi PM nomination UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Iraqi parties to de-escalate the situation and avoid violence amid tension over the nomination of a new prime minister. In a statement on Saturday, Guterres' spokesperson said the UN chief is "following with concern" the ongoing protests in Iraq that left many people injured. The spokesperson urged Iraqi parties and actors "to rise above their differences and form, through peaceful and inclusive dialogue, an effective national government". *) Moscow strikes Ukraine's south, drone hits Russian Crimean fleet Ukraine said the "brutal" shelling by Moscow so far of the southern city Mykolaiv killed a grain tycoon. Meanwhile, Russia claimed an attack from a drone wounded six personnel at the headquarters of its Black Sea fleet. Russian bombardment of the eastern town of Bakhmut was intense after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for civilians to leave the frontline Donetsk region. And finally… *) Myanmar extends state of emergency for six months Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing has received the approval of the national defence and security council to extend his rule under a state of emergency for a further six months. The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on Monday that the period of the declared state of emergency will be extended for another six months. Myanmar has been in chaos since the coup, with conflict spreading across the Southeast Asian country after the army crushed mostly peaceful protests in cities.

*) Russian missile strike hits crowded shopping mall in Ukraine A Russian missile strike on a crowded mall in the central Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk has killed at least 16 people. 59 others were wounded in the strike, the head of Ukraine's emergency services said. Russia's Defence Ministry said it fired missiles against a weapons depot, with the subsequent explosion of ammunition triggering a fire in a nearby shopping mall. The Group of Seven leaders had condemned the attack as a “war crime", saying Russian President Putin and those responsible would be held to account. *) G7 vows to stand with Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes' G7 leaders have pledged to continue supporting Ukraine "for as long as it takes" in the face of the Russian onslaught. In a statement from the G7 summit in Germany, the group said they would continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine. They also urged Moscow to allow grain shipments to leave Ukraine. *) Dozens found dead in trailer in US state of Texas At least 46 migrants have been found dead inside a tractor-trailer in the US state of Texas. The cause of death was indicated as suffocation. The incident appears to be one of the most deadly recent incidents of human smuggling along the US-Mexico border. A local fire department official said 16 people, including 12 adults and four children, were transported to the hospital. Police said three people were detained. *) Toxic gas explosion at Jordan's Aqaba port A toxic gas explosion has killed at least 10 people and injured more than 250 in Jordan's Aqaba port. A container of 30 tonnes of toxic gas plunged from a crane on a moored vessel as an iron rope that was carrying it broke, resulting in the escape of the poisonous substance. Officials said specialists and the civil defence were dealing with the incident. Nearby areas were evacuated and residents told to stay indoors. *) Tokyo faces worst June heatwave since 1875 Japan's capital Tokyo has faced the worst heatwave for June in more than 150 years. The city saw three successive days of temperatures topping 35C, marking the worst streak of hot weather in June since records began in 1875. At least two people are believed to have died from heatstroke, media said, as the number of hospitalisation cases from heat stroke rose. Authorities asked residents in the Tokyo area to conserve electricity to avoid a looming power cut. #Russia #Ukraine #G7 #texas #Smuggling #migrants #Jordan #Explosion #Tokyo #heatwave

Natalya is a Russian journalist working for BBC Monitoring, and her husband and colleague, Yuriy, is Ukrainian. They have been evacuated from their home in Kyiv to Lviv. Natalya tells us about the challenges of family life during war, and how she's given up trying to convince some friends in Russia about what's really happening. Changing attitudes in India A recent survey of social attitudes in India showed that a large proportion of the population, both men and women, still believe that husbands have the right to beat their wives. Women's affairs editor Geeta Pandey talks us through the findings. Why Germans are migrating to Paraguay Thousands of German migrants have moved to Paraguay, some of them escaping Covid restrictions; others because they are uncomfortable with immigration itself in Germany. BBC Mundo's Mar Pichel travelled to Paraguay to explore the reasons behind this new wave. Goodbye to South Korea's Blue House The Blue House in Seoul has been the seat of power in South Korea for more than 70 years. But the new president, Yoon Suk-yeol, has moved his office to a Defence Ministry complex and opened the Blue House to the public. Julie Yoonnyung Lee of BBC Korean explains the reasons for this decision. Uganda's Batwa people Over 30 years ago, the Batwa people of Uganda were evicted from their ancestral forest home by the government. It was thought they might threaten the gorilla population, vital to Uganda's tourism industry. But the Batwa people have struggled ever since, as BBC Africa's Patience Atuhaire discovered when she went to report on their story. Presenter: David Amanor Producer: Sue Waldram (Photo: Wedding rings. Credit: BBC)

Latest news from 04 June 2022, as reported in the Ukrainian media. Support us at: https://www.patreon.com/highlightsfromukraine. Just $5 a month will help us to do our work and even create some special episodes on wartime life in Ukraine for you. Special thanks to our top Patreon supporter - Helena Pszczolko O'Callaghan! Contact us at: highlightsfromukraine@gmail.com.

*) Finland and Sweden submit NATO membership application Finland and Sweden have handed in their bids to join the US-led alliance NATO. The alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, "I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners.” The process usually takes eight to 12 months, but Türkiye has also voiced its objections to the nordic countries' membership bids, criticising them for supporting terror groups. In order for a country to join NATO, unanimous approval is required, which equals the approval of all 30 existing allied countries. *) Hundreds of Ukrainians defending Azovstal plant surrender Hundreds of Ukrainian fighters have surrendered to an uncertain fate after weeks holed up in the tunnels below Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant. Russia's Defence Ministry said 265 fighters had surrendered, including 51 who were seriously wounded. Ukraine says it's working to save its fighters still trapped inside or evacuated from the southern city. However, the speaker of the lower house of Russian parliament said the Ukrainian fighters should be brought to “justice”. *) North Korea's Kim blasts officials for failing to deal with Covid North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has lashed out at state officials for failing to combat the coronavirus as the number of known cases crossed 1.7 million. Chairing a meeting of the ruling party's Politburo, Kim said there was "immaturity in the state capacity for coping with the crisis", the official Korean Central News Agency said. He also slammed the "non-positive attitude, slackness and non-activity of state leading officials", the agency reported. *) Bashaga to run rival administration from Libya's Sirte Libya's eastern parliament-appointed premier Fathi Bashagha has said he will base his administration in the northern city of Sirte. The move came after Bashagha attempted to forcibly enter the capital Tripoli to seat his government there, but was repulsed by the UN-backed government. The attempt triggered fierce clashes between fighters on both sides, forcing Bashagha to leave the city. Libya has had two rival administrations since March when the east-based parliament appointed Bashagha as prime minister despite UN-supported Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. And, finally... *) Russian gymnast banned for pro-war 'Z' symbol A Russian gymnast who sported the ‘Z' symbol on a medal podium has been banned for one year from International Gymnastics Federation events. 20-year-old artistic gymnast Ivan Kuliak's singlet had the letter 'Z' prominently placed as he stood next to Ukrainian contender at a World Cup event in Doha in March. Kuliak must also return his bronze medal and prize money of $500. The 'Z' has been seen daubed on Russian tanks and vehicles in Ukraine and has come to symbolise support for the offensive.

*) Ukraine gets warplanes as Mariupol officer warns facing 'last days' The West has responded to a renewed Russian push into the Donbass region with fresh weapons for Kiev. The Pentagon says Ukraine has recently received fighter planes to bolster its air force, declining to specify the number of aircrafts and their origins. Meanwhile, a commander in the besieged Azov-stal power plant in Mariupol has said his marines are "maybe facing our last days, if not hours". Moscow has issued a fresh ultimatum for Mariupol's defenders and announced the opening of a safe corridor for Ukrainian troops who agreed to lay down their arms. *) Casualties reported after Sri Lanka police open fire at protesters Sri Lankan police have opened fire at people protesting new fuel price increases, killing one and injuring 13 others. It is the first death in police crackdowns during weeks of demonstrations over the country's worst economic crisis in decades. Fifteen police personnel have also been admitted to a hospital with minor injuries after scuffles with protesters. *) World leaders appeal for end to violence in Israel, Palestine US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel and Palestine to "end the cycle of violence" after a sharp escalation in tensions between the two sides in recent days. Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, too, has expressed deep sorrow over the recent events, during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart. Tensions have been running high since the beginning of April amid repeated Israeli raids in the occupied West Bank. And over 170 people have been injured between Friday and Sunday in and around the Al Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem. *) Türkiye's forces ‘neutralise' 26 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq Turkish security forces have "neutralised" 26 PKK terrorists since the launch of Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq. The anti-terror operation continues successfully as planned, Türkiye's Defence Ministry has said in a statement. The operation was launched after reports that the terrorist group was planning to initiate a large-scale attack. PKK terrorists often hide out in northern Iraq to plot cross-border attacks in Türkiye. *) Netflix hit by subscriber loss due to inflation, conflict, competition Netflix has said inflation, the Ukraine conflict and fierce competition have contributed to a loss of subscribers for the first time in more than a decade. It has also predicted deeper losses ahead, marking a shift in fortune for the streaming company that thrived during the pandemic. The company has said it lost 200,000 subscribers in its first quarter, falling well short of its forecast of adding 2.5 million subscribers. Since it warned in January of weak subscriber growth, the company has lost nearly half of its value.

APAC stocks traded lower throughout most of the session as the downbeat mood reverberated from Wall Street.DXY pulled back closer towards 99.50 in early APAC hours as US yields eased; commodity-FX lagged.The FOMC minutes were hawkish with regards to the monthly caps on Treasuries/MBS and on rates.European equity futures are indicative of a slightly softer open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future -0.3% after the cash market closed lower by 2.4% yesterday.Looking ahead, highlights include  EZ Retail Sales, US IJC, ECB Minutes (March), Fed's Bullard & Evans, BoE's Pill, supply from France & Spain.FOMC MINUTESOverall, the FOMC minutes were perceived as hawkish with the monthly caps on Treasuries and MBS were towards the top end of a wide range of expectations, albeit not at the most extreme levels; participants generally agreed monthly caps of roughly USD 60bln for Treasury securities and USD 35bln from holdings of MBS. The Fed also confirmed a May commencement for the runoff process to begin, while noting that all options reviewed features a more rapid pace of the prior 2017-2019 runoff, as expected. The language on rates was also hawkish - many would have preferred a 50bps move in March, but the Ukrainian crisis saw a 25bps move instead. Meanwhile, looking ahead, many participants noted that one or more 50bps increases in the target range could be appropriate at future meetings, particularly if inflation pressures remain elevated or intensified.Click here for the detailed release.US TRADEUS stocks closed with losses across the board, with more pronounced downside in the Nasdaq as mega-cap tech stocks sold off.SPX -0.98% at 4,480, NDX -2.17% at 14,498, DJIA -0.42% at 34,496, R2K -1.30% at 2,016.Click here for a detailed summary.NOTABLE US HEADLINESSEC is investigating how Amazon (AMZN) disclosed business practices and the Cos. use of third-party sellers' data is a focus of regulator's probe, according to WSJ citing sources.GEOPOLITICSRUSSIA-UKRAINENEGOTIATIONS/TALKSUkraine Foreign Minister Kuleba said at the Thursday meeting with NATO and G7 counterparts he will discuss the need to supply all necessary weapons to Ukraine, via Reuters.DEFENCE/MILITARYSenior US Defense Official said Russian forces near Kyiv have completed their withdrawal from the area but US has indications Russian troops are being refit and resupplied in Belarus, and the killings in Bucha appear to be deliberate and premeditated, according to Reuters.Russia's Defence Ministry said a Ukrainian fuel storage base was destroyed by Russian missiles in the Kharkiv region, according to Ria.UK military officials are said to be mulling plans to send armoured vehicles to Ukraine, according to The TimesUS is reportedly sharing intelligence with foreign banks to boost defences against cyberattacks, according to FT sources.ENERGY/ECONOMIC SANCTIONSUS President Biden said the US is going to keep raising economic costs on Russian President Putin, via Reuters.UK Foreign Secretary Truss said the G7 is working to crack down on more Russian banks; working on a timetable to eliminate Russian energy imports, via Telegraph.Russian Ambassador to the US says US sanctions on Russian banks are a direct blow to the Russian population, according to Interfax.US Senate set up Thursday 10:00EDT/15:00BST to vote to sync up with the House and revoke normal trade relations with Russia, according to Fox's Pergram.OTHERUS Treasury Secretary Yellen said she is concerned about Chinese lending around the world, it is often predatory and causes unsustainable debt, according to Reuters.US Secretary of State Blinken said he is not very optimistic about the possibility of reaching an agreement with Iran despite efforts, via Al Jazeera.Saudi Arabia has urged Yemen's new presidential council to start negotiations with Houthis, according to state news agency.CENTRAL BANKSECB's Nagel said savers may soon enjoy higher interest rates, according to a transcript of Ard interview.BoJ Board Member Noguchi said Japan's economy will likely continue to recover as pandemic and supply constraints ease; most important thing is for the BoJ to patiently sustain current monetary easing, via Reuters.IMF report noted that the BoJ "expressed concern" over IMF's recommendation to target short yields under YCC. IMF said the BoJ must maintain ultra-easy policy for a prolonged period. IMF cut Japan's 2022 GDP growth forecast to 2.4% from 3.3%, via Reuters.Westpac brought forward their call for an RBA hike to June from August. Now they expect rate hikes in June (15bps), July (25bp), August (25bps), October (25bps), and November (25bps) reaching 1.25% by year's end. Prior call was for hikes in August, October ,and December.APAC TRADEEQUITIESAPAC stocks traded lower throughout most of the session as the downbeat mood reverberated from Wall Street.ASX 200 was dragged lower by its tech sector following a similar sectoral performance in the West.Nikkei 225 was hit by losses across its energy, mining and manufacturing names.KOSPI conformed to the global losses whilst Samsung Electronics (-0.3%) failed to benefit from better-than-expected prelim earnings.Hang Seng and Shanghai Comp were choppy and initially swung between gains and losses before stabilising in the red.Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) - Prelim Q1 (KRW) Revenue 77tln (exp. 75.7tln), Operating Profit 14.1tln (exp. 13.3tln), via Reuters.US equity futures were subdued throughout APAC hours.European equity futures are indicative of a slightly softer open with the Euro Stoxx 50 future -0.3% after the cash market closed lower by 2.4% yesterday.FXDXY pulled back closer towards 99.50 in early APAC hours as US yields eased.EUR/USD reclaimed a 1.09 handle ahead of the ECB minutes.GBP/USD erred higher as the Buck lost some modest ground.Commodity-related currencies underperformed as APAC traders reacted to the slide in commodity prices.JPY saw mild gains as the soured mood underpinned the haven.FIXED INCOME10yr UST futures drifted higher whilst the corresponding cash yield lost further ground under 2.60%.Bund futures consolidated overnight as traders look ahead to ECB minutes and EZ supply.10yr JGB yields were stable overnight but remained closed to the BoJ's 0.25% line in the sand.COMMODITIESCrude consolidated overnight following yesterday's substantial slide.IEA's Birol confirmed the US is to contribute 60mln barrels to the 120mln global crude release, according to Reuters.China is to strictly control new production capacity in the oil refining industry, according to the industry ministryGas flows via Yamal-Europe pipeline resume westward, according to Gascade data.Spot gold remained caged to a tight range around USD 1,925/oz.3M LME copper was dampened by the overall market sentiment.CRYPTOBitcoin took a breather from yesterday's slide as the Bitcoin 2022 Conference got underway.Meta (FB) is exploring a virtual currency for the metaverse, according to the FT.NOTABLE APAC HEADLINESChina's Shanghai city reports 19,600 new asymptomatic COVID cases (vs prev. 16,766), according to Global Times. "Shanghai authorities will work out a white list of suppliers of essential goods including wholesale markets, distribution centers, e-commerce warehouses, central kitchens which will be exempted from lockdown", Global Times tweeted.China is to reportedly allow creditors of Evergrande (3333 HK) to sue locally to recoup debt, according to Bloomberg sources.PBoC injected CNY 10bln via 7-day reverse repos with the rate at 2.10% for a CNY 140bln net drain.PBoC set USD/CNY mid-point at 6.3659 vs exp. 6.3697 (prev. 6.3793).DATA RECAPAustralian Trade Balance (A$) (Feb) 7.457B vs. Exp. 12B (Prev. 12.891B)Australian Exports (Feb) 0% (Prev. 8.0%)Australian Imports (Feb) 12% (Prev. -2.0%)

Warning: Contains graphic accountsBodies with bound hands, close-range gunshot wounds, and signs of torture lay scattered in a city on the outskirts of Kyiv after Russian soldiers withdrew from the area.Ukrainian authorities on Sunday accused the departing forces of committing war crimes and leaving behind a "scene from a horror movie".As images of the bodies — of people whom residents said were killed indiscriminately — began to emerge from Bucha, a slew of European leaders condemned the atrocities and called for tougher sanctions against Moscow.Associated Press journalists saw the bodies of at least 21 people in various spots around Bucha, northwest of the capital. One group of nine, all in civilian clothes, were scattered around a site that residents said Russian troops used as a base. They appeared to have been killed at close range. At least two had their hands tied behind their backs and one of those was shot in the head; another's legs were bound.Ukrainian officials laid the blame for the killings — which they said happened in Bucha and other Kyiv suburbs — squarely at the feet of Russian troops, with the President calling them evidence of genocide. But Russia's Defence Ministry rejected the accusations as "provocation".The discoveries followed the Russian retreat from the area around the capital, territory that has seen heavy fighting since troops invaded Ukraine from three directions on February 24.Troops who swept in from Belarus to the north spent weeks trying to clear a path to Kyiv, but their advance stalled in the face of resolute defense from Ukraine's forces.Moscow now says it is focusing its offensive on the country's east, but it also pressed a siege on a city in the north and continued to strike cities elsewhere in a war that has already forced more than 4 million Ukrainians to flee their country and many more to leave their homes.Russian troops rolled into Bucha in the early days of the invasion and stayed up until March 30. With those forces gone, residents gave harrowing accounts Sunday, saying soldiers shot and killed civilians without any apparent reason.One resident, who refused to give his name fearing for his safety, said that Russian troops went building to building and took people out of the basements where they were hiding, checking their phones for any evidence of anti-Russian activity and taking them away or shooting them.Hanna Herega, a resident of Bucha, said Russian troops shot a neighbour who had gone out to gather wood for heating."He went to get some wood when all of a sudden [Russians] started shooting. They hit him a bit above the heel, crushing the bone, and he fell down," Herega said. "Then they shot off his left leg completely, with the boot. Then they shot him all over [the chest]. And another shot went slightly below the temple. It was a controlled shot to the head."The AP also saw two bodies, that of a man and a woman, wrapped in plastic that residents said they had covered and placed in a shaft until a proper funeral could be arranged.The resident who refused to be identified said the man was killed as he left a home."He put his hands up, and they shot him."Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said scores of residents were found slain on the streets of the suburbs of Irpin and Hostomel as well as Bucha, in what looked like a "scene from a horror movie".He alleged that some of the women found dead had been raped before being killed and the Russians then burned the bodies."This is genocide," Zelenskyy told CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday.But Russia's Defence Ministry said in a statement that the photos and videos of dead bodies "have been stage managed by the Kyiv regime for the Western media". It noted that Bucha's mayor did not mention any abuses a day after Russian troops left.The ministry charged said "not a single...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.