July 13, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) Netanyahu reportedly going solo on Gaza talks, defying Mossad Local media has revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is almost alone in steering negotiations on a hostage-prisoner swap deal with Palestinian resistance groups. An Israeli public broadcaster quoting unidentified sources said Netanyahu is alone in conducting the talks and has decided to harden his position related to the discussions. One of the main differences between Mossad and Netanyahu is that the security agencies do not agree on a return to fighting unless Hamas breaches any of the deal terms – contrary to Netanyahu who wants to return to fighting in any case. *) Pakistan secures $7B aid deal with IMF The International Monetary Fund has reached a three-year $7 billion aid package deal with Pakistan. The new programme still needs to be validated by the Fund's Executive Board. But it should enable Pakistan to "cement macroeconomic stability and create conditions for stronger, more inclusive and resilient growth," according to a statement. *) Hamas proposes independent Palestinian government in post-war Gaza Hamas is suggesting that an independent government of non-partisan figures run post-war Gaza and the occupied West Bank, a top member of the Palestinian resistance group has said. Hossam Badran said in a statement that Hamas “proposed that a non-partisan national competency government manage Gaza and the West Bank after the war," Badran added that “the administration of Gaza after the war is a Palestinian internal matter without any external interference.” *) Trump to be anointed at Republican party convention in Wisconsin Donald Trump will receive the Republicans' official blessing to run for president next week. He will become the first ever convicted felon to be a nominee for one of the two major US parties. The 78-year-old billionaire will be the show's star at the Republican National Convention, transforming the Wisconsin city into a fortress to welcome 50,000 attendees. *) X charged with deceiving users via blue checkmark, risks fine: EU Elon Musk's social media company X has breached EU online content rules and its blue checkmark deceives users. This is according to EU tech regulators in a finding that could lead to a hefty fine and significant changes in how it operates The EU executive's preliminary findings or charges sent to X targeted the company's so-called dark patterns that shape user behaviour, its advertising transparency and data access for researchers.