July 22, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) Joe Biden withdraws from US presidential race US President Joe Biden has ended his reelection campaign after fellow Democrats lost faith in his mental acuity and ability to beat Donald Trump. His decision to quit leaves the presidential race in uncharted territory. Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain in his role as president and commander-in-chief until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week. *) Israel demolishes Palestinian shops, excavate land amid Gaza war The Israeli army has demolished two commercial establishments and excavated land belonging to Palestinians in Beit Hanina in occupied East Jerusalem. The Israeli army raided the town of Beit Hanina, demolishing a commercial shop and a car showroom, and excavating land, according to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa. The agency did not mention the reason for the Israeli army taking this measure, but it usually uses “construction without a permit” as an excuse for demolishing Palestinians’ homes in occupied Palestinian territories. *) Protestors ready for massive rally in US heartland during Netanyahu’s visit Activists opposing Israel’s war on Gaza and Washington’s continuous support for its Middle Eastern ally plan protests at the US Capitol on Wednesday to coincide with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s US visit this week. Police expect a “large number of demonstrators” and were making additional security arrangements but said there were no known threats. Netanyahu will be in Washington this week for a July 24 address to a joint session of the US Congress. He is also expected to meet US President Joe Biden. *) Bangladesh’s top court scales back job quotas Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs that have sparked student-led protests in the South Asian country. The court’s Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order that had reinstated the quotas, directing that 93% of government jobs will be open to candidates on merit, without quotas. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government had scrapped the quota system in 2018, but the lower court reinstated it last month, sparking protests and an ensuing government crackdown. *) Indian Muslim group condemns ‘discriminatory’ eateries order An Indian Muslim group has raised concern about the Uttar Pradesh state’s government “discriminatory” order for eateries to identify their owners. The UP state government earlier asked eateries — including roadside carts — to display the names of their owners to “avoid confusion” during a Hindu holy pilgrimage when thousands of worshippers will make the journey on foot. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, India’s largest socio-religious Muslim organisation, expressed concern about the order, calling it “completely discriminatory” and a “communal decision.” The group said there is “fear of serious damage to communal harmony.”