Global Affairs Roundup: Diplomatic Moves in Riyadh, Gaza Truce Talks, Iranian Criticism in Baghdad, Heated Harris-Trump Debate, Congo’s Early Mpox Vaccinations, and Commonwealth Candidates Push for Reparations
Global Leaders Address Middle East Tensions, Congo Accelerates Mpox Vaccination Effort.
On September 11, 2024, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, welcomed newly appointed Dutch Ambassador Hans Peter van der Woude in Riyadh, while Chief of Staff Gen. Fayyad bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili discussed bilateral relations with Lt. Gen. Xu Xueqiang of the Chinese Central Military Commission.
The same day saw a Hamas delegation meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Doha to discuss a Gaza truce and potential hostage-prisoner exchange, though no breakthrough was achieved despite prior truce efforts.
In Baghdad, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized Western support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict during his first international trip since taking office, condemning alleged atrocities committed with European and American weapons.
On the U.S. political scene, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump had a heated debate focused on foreign policy, with Harris defending the Biden administration's stance on Ukraine and Israel, while Trump criticized it, but neither managed to sway undecided voters significantly.
Over in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo will launch its mpox vaccination campaign on October 2, six days earlier than planned, to tackle the ongoing outbreak with received and promised vaccine doses from the U.S., EU, and other nations.
Meanwhile, candidates for Commonwealth Secretary-General, including Mamadou Tangara, Shirley Botchwey, and Joshua Setipa, have emphasized the need for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism as the organization heads towards its October election in Samoa.
The same day saw a Hamas delegation meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Doha to discuss a Gaza truce and potential hostage-prisoner exchange, though no breakthrough was achieved despite prior truce efforts.
In Baghdad, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticized Western support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict during his first international trip since taking office, condemning alleged atrocities committed with European and American weapons.
On the U.S. political scene, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump had a heated debate focused on foreign policy, with Harris defending the Biden administration's stance on Ukraine and Israel, while Trump criticized it, but neither managed to sway undecided voters significantly.
Over in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo will launch its mpox vaccination campaign on October 2, six days earlier than planned, to tackle the ongoing outbreak with received and promised vaccine doses from the U.S., EU, and other nations.
Meanwhile, candidates for Commonwealth Secretary-General, including Mamadou Tangara, Shirley Botchwey, and Joshua Setipa, have emphasized the need for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonialism as the organization heads towards its October election in Samoa.
