Tim Walz backs Palestinian rights in Gaza amid humanitarian concerns.
Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz recently voiced his support for demonstrators protesting against American backing of Israel's war against Hamas, highlighting humanitarian concerns for Gaza civilians. While Walz condemned Hamas's violent actions, he stressed the importance of Palestinian rights, which aligns with the Biden administration's broader efforts around a ceasefire and negotiating hostage releases.
In related news, at least 13 Palestinians were killed, and 15 others wounded in Israeli strikes targeting a school sheltering refugees and a residential building in Gaza. The strikes hit the Halima Al-Sa’diyya School in Jabalia and a building in the Nuseirat camp, with the Israeli army stating it aimed at terrorists operating inside a Hamas command center at the school.
Shifting focus to Europe, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will visit Dublin this Saturday, marking his first visit to the Republic of Ireland as PM, aimed at enhancing EU relations post-Labour Party election win. Following this visit, Starmer is set to head to Washington to discuss critical global issues, including conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, with President
Joe Biden.
Meanwhile, North America witnessed a significant arrest when a Pakistani man, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, was apprehended in Canada for plotting a mass shooting at a Jewish center in Brooklyn. Khan, a known Daesh supporter, was caught en route to the US and faces charges of attempting to support the terror group.
In another development related to Gaza, CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore made an unprecedented joint appeal for a ceasefire to alleviate Palestinian suffering and facilitate the release of hostages. Their call came amid ongoing diplomatic talks, though no agreement has been finalized, even as US officials suggest a deal is close while Israel's PM remains skeptical.
Finally, in space news, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft concluded its troubled test flight, returning to Earth uncrewed amidst technical difficulties. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, initially slated to come back on Starliner, will now return via SpaceX in February 2025, as Boeing faces investigations into the mishap, questioning the craft's future viability.