May 16, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) South Africa to ask ICJ to order halt in Israel's Rafah invasion South Africa will ask the top UN court to order a halt to the Rafah invasion as part of its case in The Hague accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The hearings at the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, come after South Africa last week asked for additional emergency measures to protect Rafah. It also asked the court to order Israel to allow unimpeded access to Gaza for UN officials, organisations providing humanitarian aid, journalists and investigators. *) Ireland to recognise Palestinian statehood 'this month': top envoy Ireland is certain to recognise Palestinian statehood by the end of May, the country's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said. Martin, who is also Ireland's deputy prime minister, made the announcement to Newstalk radio station without specifying a date. In March the leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta said in a joint statement that they stand ready to recognise Palestinian statehood. *) Several dead, hundreds injured in pro-independence rallies in New Caledonia At least three people have been killed and hundreds more injured during a second night of protesting in New Caledonia, authorities say. Demonstrations against a constitutional reform pushed by Paris have roiled the archipelago, which has long sought independence. Despite heavily armed security forces fanning out across the capital and the ordering of a nighttime curfew, protesting continued. *) Indonesia’s death toll rises to 67 from Sumatra floods, 20 still missing Indonesian rescuers have raced to find dozens of people still unaccounted for after heavy rains caused flash floods and washed volcanic debris into residential areas. 67 people died and 20 people remain missing, according to the national disaster agency. Hours of torrential rain caused mud and rocks to flow into districts near one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes, destroying dozens of houses and damaging roads. *) Meta restores Facebook posts of Malaysian PM Anwar's meeting with Hamas Meta Platforms has restored Facebook posts by Malaysian media covering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's meeting this week with a Hamas leader in Qatar. Earlier, Malaysia had sent a letter asking Meta to explain the removal of the posts by two media organisations about the meeting. In addition, it addressed the closure of a Facebook account last month belonging to a third outlet, the Malaysia Gazette, which covers Palestinian issues. Earlier this month, Meta employees published an open letter calling out the company's internal and external censorship of any show of support for Palestinians.