Weekly World News

Feb 26, 2024

West Asia/Middle East:

Israel’s continued military assault on the Gaza Strip has raised the confirmed death toll to 30,001 people, with thousands more buried under the rubble and other deaths going unreported. A collapse of the healthcare system has caused a dire humanitarian crisis, particularly in the North, which is cut off from critical food and medical supplies. The Gaza Ministry of Health announced that its ambulances are out of service due to a lack of fuel. The Gaza population faces the growing risk of widespread famine as 600,000 people are at risk of dying of starvation and malnutrition. Over 1.4 million Gazans have sought refuge in the southern border city of Rafah, where Israel is increasing airstrikes in preparation for its ground offensive. Experts warn an assault on the city would have catastrophic humanitarian consequences, a fact that has caused many of Israel’s allies to warn against its plans in the city.

The United States and the United Kingdom conducted another round of strikes against targets of the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen, also known as the Houthis, in response to an increase in Houthi attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. US and UK forces struck 18 different targets at 8 locations in Yemen, targeting Houthi military infrastructure and weapons facilities. The Houthis began their attacks on commercial ships traveling through the Red Sea in response to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip.

The United States once again vetoed a Gaza ceasefire resolution in the United Nations Security Council, marking the second time the United States has used its position as a permanent member of the Council to veto a resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The United States stood as the only vote in opposition, with 13 votes in favor and an abstention by the United Kingdom.

North America:

Former President Donald Trump won the critical South Carolina Republican Primary, defeating opponent Nikki Haley in her home state. The win is a continuation of Trump’s dominant march toward the Republican nomination, securing the majority of GOP voters nationwide. Nikki Haley remains Trump’s only major opponent seeking the Republican nomination, vowing to continue her campaign following her loss in South Carolina.

The Biden Administration announced sanctions targeting 500 different people and entities with connections to the Russian State and President Vladimir Putin. The sanctions largely targeted entities related to Russia’s military-industrial complex, but also included military personnel, businessmen, and figures allegedly connected to the imprisonment of late political opposition figure Alexey Navalny. United States President Joe Biden described the sanctions as a punishment for Vladimir Putin’s “aggression abroad and repression at home,” while the Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed the sanctions as “fruitless.”

South America:

A meeting between leaders of the G20 in Brazil exposed an increasing isolation of the United States due to their continued support for the State of Israel amidst its assault on Gaza. Unintentionally leaked audio of the meeting revealed leaders from Brazil, South Africa, and Australia criticizing the Biden Administration for vetoing a ceasefire resolution, accusing it of “allowing impunity” and facilitating a continued loss of life.

Sources:

Channel - https://t.me/SputnikInt_unc2