VIJIGISHU '24

Saturday, 29 June 2024

INR | WEST ASIA: Weekly Updates

Trump calls Biden a ‘bad Palestinian’ in presidential debate

  • The debate took place at CNN's Atlanta studios without a live audience. It was moderated by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash​

  • During the debate, Trump called Biden a "bad Palestinian," which sparked significant controversy and debate analysis. The remark was part of a broader critique on Biden's foreign policy, particularly concerning the Middle East​

  • Both candidates had previously accepted the debate invitation, with Biden challenging Trump to a debate "anywhere, anytime, anyplace." Trump promptly accepted, showing eagerness to confront Biden on stage

Read more - https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/6/28/trump-calls-biden-a-bad-palestinian-in-presidential-debate

Iran presidential election 2024: Polls open to elect Raisi’s successor


  • The election is being held early due to the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in May 2024, along with several other officials​

  • Four candidates, all vetted and approved by the Guardians Council, are running. The main contenders are conservative Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, hard-line former nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, and reformist lawmaker Masud Pezeshkian​

  • No candidate is expected to secure the necessary 50% of the vote to win outright, likely leading to a run-off election scheduled for July 5​

  • The election takes place amid public dissatisfaction with economic conditions, lack of freedoms, and declining living standards. Despite this, significant policy changes are unlikely as the Supreme Leader retains ultimate control over key issues.

  • Voter turnout is anticipated to be slightly higher than the record-low 49% in the 2021 election. The Iranian government emphasizes high turnout to demonstrate legitimacy, but calls for boycotts from dissidents suggest continued public discontent​


Read more - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/6/28/irans-election-2024-live-polls-open-soon-to-elect-raisis-successor


Israel’s air force targets and kills Gaza medics trying to save the wounded

  • Gaza’s civil defence agency says three of its medics were killed by Israeli aircraft and 12 others wounded while they carried out rescue efforts in central Bureij refugee camp.

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran is “fighting us from seven fronts” using regional armed groups, warning “whoever does such a thing to us simply won’t be here“.

  • UNICEF says Israel agreed to restore power at a key desalination plant in southern Khan Younis, which could meet minimum needs of nearly one million people desperate for potable water

Read more - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/6/28/israel-war-on-gaza-live-people-flee-in-terror-as-tanks-drones-attack

What happened in Bolivia’s failed coup attempt?

  • Bolivia’s top general has been arrested after trying to overthrow the government

  • The Bolivian government responded swiftly, deploying loyalist military units and police forces to quash the coup attempt.

  • The coup attempt led to widespread public demonstrations, with supporters of the government rallying in major cities to show their opposition to the coup.

  • Following the failed coup, the government launched investigations to identify and prosecute those involved, reinforcing security measures to prevent future attempts.

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/6/27/what-happened-in-bolivias-failed-coup-attempt

Over 750,000 people in Sudan at risk of starvation: Global hunger monitor

  • Over 755,000 people in Sudan face "catastrophe" level hunger, while 8.5 million face acute food shortages.

  • Conflict between SAF and RSF has restricted aid access and increased famine risk in 14 areas.

  • 25.6 million people are likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity by September 2024.

  • Over 17 million displaced, including 10 million internally and 7 million across borders.

  • Many rely on community kitchens as conflict causes job losses, limited supplies, and high costs.


Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/27/over-750000-people-in-sudan-at-risk-of-starvation-global-hunger-monitor

Climate change boosted deadly Saudi haj heat by 2.5 C, scientists say

  • A team of European scientists has attributed the deadly heatwave in Saudi Arabia during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, which caused 1,300 deaths, to climate change.

  • The temperatures along the pilgrimage route reached 47°C (117°F), peaking at over 51.8°C at Mecca's Great Mosque.

  • The scientists concluded that while high temperatures are common in the region, the severity of this heatwave cannot be explained by natural variability alone, and climate change has intensified its impact.

  • The study found a shift in the timing and intensity of heatwaves in Saudi Arabia, with June now experiencing more extreme heat events compared to historical data from May and July.

  • Saudi Arabia, as the world's second-largest oil producer and home to the largest corporate emitter of greenhouse gases, Saudi Aramco, holds significant responsibility for historical carbon emissions and faces an urgent need for environmental action.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/climate-change-boosted-deadly-saudi-haj-heat-by-25-c-scientists-say-2024-06-27/

Turkey removed from FATF money laundering grey list in boost to standing

  • Turkey's Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek indicated that Turkey has been removed from the FATF's grey list, which monitors countries with deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

  • The FATF grey list is a list of countries under increased monitoring by the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.

  • Turkey had been on the FATF grey list since 2021 due to deficiencies in its financial regulations and enforcement.

  • Simsek stated that Turkey's removal from the grey list is an important step that will boost the country's economic and financial standing globally.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/simsek-indicates-that-turkey-removed-fatf-watchdogs-grey-list-2024-06-28/

News bits drafted by: 

Jiah Malik (BA IR 2nd year) 

Collected and published by (region head):

Varsha Das (BA IR 3rd year)

Lankan Crisis: Jingoism to Jeopardy?

Go home Gota” “Go home Jokers” “You messed with the wrong generation” These are few of the  slogans on placards wielded  by young protesters...