November 28, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) Israel, Hezbollah claim victory as Gaza genocide continues Both Israel and Hezbollah are declaring themselves victors after their recent clashes ended with a ceasefire. The Israeli army boasted about crippling Hezbollah’s capabilities and eliminating its senior leaders. Meanwhile, Hezbollah framed the conflict as a strong defence against Israel’s ground incursion, asserting it stood firm “in support of the steadfast Palestinian people”. Hezbollah also claimed “victory” in the conflict and warned it remains “fully ready” to respond to any future Israeli moves. *) Israel didn’t win in Lebanon, truce agreed ‘under duress’ — Netanyahu ally A far-right Israeli minister has blasted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, accusing it of being forced into a ceasefire in Lebanon and failing to defeat Hezbollah. Speaking to Maariv, Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu didn’t mince words, calling the ceasefire terms “terrible” and criticising Israel’s dependence on US backing. Eliyahu, from the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) Party, was particularly critical of the deal, which his party leader, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, opposed in the security cabinet vote. *) Mexico warns Trump’s tariffs could destroy 400,000 US jobs Mexico has fired back at President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff threats, warning they could boomerang badly on the US economy. Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard cautioned that imposing 25 percent tariffs on Mexican imports would be a costly mistake for US businesses. Citing figures from American car manufacturers with operations in Mexico, Ebrard said “about 400,000 jobs in the US would be lost”. *) Volkswagen to sell operations in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Volkswagen is cutting ties with its operations in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region amid ongoing allegations of human rights abuses, including forced labour. The German auto giant announced plans to sell its factory in Urumqi, the region’s capital, along with a test track in Turpan, to a Chinese firm. A company spokesperson confirmed the sale to Shanghai Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (SMVIC) in a press release issued Wednesday. *) UK counter-terrorism police arrest six over ‘PKK activity’ British police said they arrested six suspects and were conducting raids in London as part of a counter-terrorism investigation into links with the banned terrorist PKK organisation. Acting Commander Helen Flanagan said the arrests came after a detailed investigation into activities the British police believed were connected to terrorist activity tied to the PKK. Officers searched eight locations across the city, including a community centre in north London, which has been ordered to close for two weeks.