Tuesday, May 18, 2021

World News Briefs -- May 18, 2021 (Night Edition)

 

Daily Mail: Riots break out at Jerusalem's holy sites: Israeli troops fire tear gas at Palestinians at the walls of the old city as two IDF soldiers are shot at protest on the West bank on 8th day of Gaza conflict 

* Tear gas fired at demonstrators at Damascus Gate, around half a mile from Temple Mount where clashes last Monday at the Al-Aqsa Mosque - Islam's third holiest site - provoked a barrage of missiles from Hamas in Gaza 

* Water cannon and mounted police deployed as Palestinians fled stun grenades close to the Old City 

* Meanwhile two Israeli Defence Forces soldiers were shot and wounded around ten miles north near the West Bank settlement of Beit El as hundreds of Palestinians rioted at the entrance to the nearby city of Ramallah 

 * The IDF announced earlier that 65 Hamas targets were hit in airstrikes overnight as Netanyahu vowed to 'continue striking the terrorists' despite Joe Biden's calls for ceasefire amid a rising civilian death toll 

* A total of 212 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including 61 children, since last Monday. The IDF says that figure includes 120 members of Hamas and 25 members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad 

* Ten Israeli civilians, including a child, have been killed in Islamist rocket fire 

Pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli security forces in Jerusalem's Old City today, and two soldiers were shot in the West Bank, as widespread demonstrations turned into violent confrontations in Israel and the occupied territories. 

The eight day of violence in the region followed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of Joe Biden's calls for a cease fire and continued air strike on the Gaza strip.  

Read more .... 

MIDDLE EAST 

UN reports more than 52,000 Palestinians displaced amid Israeli air strikes on Gaza

Clashes in Jerusalem and West Bank amid protests and strikes. 

Palestinians go on strike as Israel-Hamas fighting rages. 

Against backdrop of Gaza violence, Israel’s Jews and Arabs join forces for peace. 

Israeli army launches artillery towards Lebanon in response to rocket fire. 

Arab states split for first time on refusal to condemn Israel over Gaza

US condemns Erdogan 'anti-Semitic' remarks. 

Saudi furious over 'insulting' remarks by Lebanese minister. 

ASIA 

India reports record day of virus deaths as cases level off. 

India's holiest river is swollen with Covid victims. 

Australia will close itself from the world until mid-2022 under its zero Covid strategy despite fury from separated families and businesses. 

United Nations vote on Myanmar arms embargo postponed due to lack of support. 

Philippines President issues gag order to his Cabinet over South China Sea. 

Samoan Supreme Court ruling paves the way for Fiame Naomi Mata’afa to become country's first female leader. 

At least 29 killed and 81 missing at sea after Cyclone Tauktae pummels Indian coast. 

SEG Plaza evacuation: Shaking China skyscraper sends shoppers fleeing. 

AFRICA 

DR Congo army says killed 22 militiamen in under-siege east. 

Paris summit promises 'New Deal' for Africa. 

Paris summit calls for vaccine patents to be lifted in Africa amid Covid pandemic. 

African leaders seek to finance recovery of economies battered by Covid-19. 

U.S. Tripoli visit shows increased Libya focus after fighting. 

Shippers call for coalition against Gulf of Guinea pirates. 

More than 50 migrants reported drowned off Tunisia; 33 saved

Rwanda's Kagame hails French report on 1994 genocide as a 'big step forward'. 

Man, 42, is arrested in Leeds on suspicion of war crimes during Sierra Leone’s 1990s ‘blood diamond’ civil war that left 120,000 dead and involved some 14,000 child soldiers. 

EUROPE 

France hopes phased reopening won't be rained out as Covid-19 lockdown eases. 

US-Russia showdown looms as top diplomats meet in Iceland. 

Switzerland is most likely venue for Putin-Biden summit - Russia's Kommersant. 

Alexei Navalny: Russia moves a step closer to banning FBK from elections. 

Belarus raids top news site in widening crackdown

Ukraine's parliament fires health minister over COVID vaccine shortage

Independent news site in Belarus raided as crackdown escalates. 

Ceuta: Record number of migrants reach Spanish enclave

AMERICAS 

Biden tours Ford facility in Michigan as protests erupt over Gaza-Israeli conflict. 

 US’s Pelosi calls on world leaders to boycott China 2022 Olympics

Canada-U.S. border restrictions extended another month to June 21. 

Under U.S. pressure on graft, El Salvador praises China’s hands-off aid. 

Ex-FARC leader Jesus Santrich killed in Venezuela, dissident group says. 

Mexico eyes easing U.S. border curbs from June 22, depending on COVID. 

Darwin's Arch off Galapagos Islands collapses into Pacific Ocean

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR 

Biden administration to release three Guantánamo Bay detainees, say reports. 

Iran military commander backs Hamas in call with militant group's leader. 

China to help Afghanistan strengthen counter-terrorism capacities. 

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS 

A late drop leaves Wall Street indexes lower, led by tech. 

Oil hits $70, two-month high, as Europe, U.S. reopen economies. 

EXCLUSIVE G20 snubs COVID patent waiver, waters down pledge on WHO’s funding. 

Amazon reported in talks with MGM as streaming deals accelerate. 

 Long working hours killing 745,000 people a year, study finds.

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