A hundred pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York’s Columbia University

By

 AFP

Police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters at New York’s Columbia University Thursday, a day after the president of the prestigious school was grilled in Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus. 

“NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, the students and the staff made more than 108 arrests, and the NYPD ensured that there was no violence or injuries during the disturbance,” New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference.

The arrests and dismantling of tents that had been erected Wednesday also attracted a crowd of other demonstrators in support, according to an AFP journalist. 

According to The New York Times, the daughter of Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar was among those detained and she has been ordered to appear in court.

The students were calling for the school, which has an exchange program with Tel Aviv University, to boycott all activities associated with Israel in light of the country’s war with Hamas and the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

University president Nemat Shafik requested police intervention to disperse the protesters, who she said had violated campus security regulations. 

Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s responding bombardment of Gaza, as many students’ pro-Palestinian sentiments drew accusations of anti-Semitism. 

Congressional Republicans have taken up the issue, calling the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University to testify, and Harvard’s president Claudine Gay resigned shortly after. 

Shafik herself appeared in Congress Wednesday, where she said “anti-Semitism has no place on our campus.”

Across emerging Europe, soaring temperatures must serve as a call to action

April 19, 2024
Craig Turp-Balazs


Record high temperatures across much of Central and Eastern Europe have once again sounded the alarm about the threat climate change poses to the region’s economies.

It can’t go on, but it will. March 2024 saw much of Europe record its highest ever temperatures while globally March was the hottest on record and the tenth straight month of historic heat.

Though cooler air (and possibly even some late spring snow) is currently making its way across much of Europe, April has so far seen the trend continue—Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzergovina were just a few countries that have seen April temperatures top 30°C for the first time, according to Severe Weather Europe, which monitors weather extremes across the continent. Ukraine’s green energy opportunity
Can renewables help Central Asia overcome its fossil fuel addiction?
With decisive action, net zero energy is within reach in emerging Europe and Central Asia

That climate change is one of the most formidable challenges of our time should no longer come as a news to anyone—and its potential implications for economies across emerging Europe could be particularly severe unless mitigation and adaptation strategies essential for regional stability are put in place.

From the Baltic states down to the Balkans, the region is experiencing significant climatic shifts. According to data from the European Environment Agency, the region has been witnessing not only increased temperatures, but also a rise in the frequency of extreme weather events, and varying precipitation patterns.

These changes are not just meteorological footnotes but are poised to inflict substantial economic disruptions.
Agriculture, the first victim

Agriculture, a vital sector in so many of emerging Europe’s economies, is particularly susceptible to climate change and is the likely first victim.

The region’s agricultural output is heavily dependent on rainfall and favourable temperatures. Studies, including those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), highlight that increased temperatures and altered precipitation patterns are likely to reduce crop yields significantly.

For instance, Ukraine and Poland, both agricultural powerhouses, could experience yield declines in staple crops such as wheat and corn by up to 20 per cent by 2050 under moderate climate change scenarios.

The economic ramifications of such agricultural disruptions are profound. Lower crop yields not only reduce agricultural output and increase food prices but also diminish export revenues that are crucial for these economies—the impact of a reduction in Ukrainian grain exports has already been demonstrated by Russia’s blockade of Black Sea shipping in the early months of its war on the country.

Ukraine is often referred to as the ‘breadbasket of Europe’ and is one of the world’s largest grain exporters. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on the agricultural sector, with key exports including wheat, maize, and barley. Fertile soils and favourable climate have historically supported robust agricultural output, but climate change is altering this landscape dramatically.

Increased variability in weather patterns, including unpredictable rainfall and extreme temperatures, poses a significant threat to Ukrainian agriculture. The country has already experienced several severe droughts in the past decade, notably affecting crop production in regions such as the steppe zone, which is critical for grain production. These droughts have led to reduced yields and have forced the country to reconsider its water management strategies and crop rotation practices.

The economic impact is profound. Reduced agricultural productivity not only affects farmers’ incomes but also impacts the entire supply chain, from processing and logistics to exports. A decline in grain exports could have a significant effect on Ukraine’s trade balance and weaken its position in global agricultural markets.

Furthermore, rural communities in Ukraine are especially vulnerable to these changes. Many are not equipped to handle the shifts in agricultural practices required by changing climate conditions, leading to potential increases in rural poverty and migration to urban areas.
Water resources: Scarcity and conflict

Water scarcity is another critical challenge exacerbated by climate change. The Danube River Basin, which serves as a major water source for countries like Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, is vulnerable to reduced rainfall and higher evaporation rates due to rising temperatures.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), over the past 150 years, the Danube basin and its wetlands have been much abused. The main threats are unsustainable flood management plans, navigation and hydropower.

Moreover, dikes, dams and dredging have straightened large parts of the river. More than 80 per cent of wetlands have been lost, and with them the services they provide, like flood protection, fuel and food.

“Water is a shared resource, it doesn’t recognise national or property borders, so we need to work together to protect it,” said Andreas Beckmann, WWF-CEE’s Regional CEO at an event in Budapest earlier this month.

He also issued a compelling call to action to the businesses reliant on the Danube River Basin’s ecosystem services. He urged the private sector to take action for safeguarding vital freshwater ecosystems, ensuring the prosperity of people, businesses, and nature alike.

Stuart Orr, Freshwater Practice Lead WWF International, meanwhile made it clear that, “The bottom line is that businesses must not only accelerate action on water within their own fenceline but also urgently scale up collective action to build more resilient river basins. It’s time for companies—both existing water stewardship champions and those firms that have still not woken up to worsening water risks—to rise to the freshwater challenge and invest in nature-based solutions to restore healthy rivers because they are central to tackling water risks, adapting to climate change, reversing nature loss and driving sustainable development.”
Energy and climate

For the energy sector, climate change is often viewed as a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, climate change presents opportunities for the energy sector, particularly in the expansion of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. On the other hand, it poses significant challenges. Thermal power plants, which still form a substantial part of the region’s energy mix, require large amounts of water for cooling. With decreasing water availability, these plants could face operational disruptions.

Furthermore, energy infrastructure across much of the region is often outdated and vulnerable to extreme weather events such as storms and floods, which are becoming more frequent and severe.

The economic costs of such disruptions are high, as seen in past instances where flooding and storm damage have led to prolonged power outages affecting thousands of businesses and homes.

Energy companies do at least appear to be aware of the challenge. In a recent opinion piece for Emerging Europe, Volodymir Shvedkyi, the CEO of ETG, an independent energy provider in Ukraine, highlighted the potential of the country’s renewable sector.

“Renewables decentralise the energy system, making it more reliable and resilient; secondly, it represents an investment in environmental sustainability—hence, our future,” he wrote.

A World Bank report released last month meanwhile lays out pathways for countries in the emerging Europe and Central Asia region to make the shift towards renewable energy and reduce their fossil fuel dependence, highlighting the intertwined benefits of the transition for energy security, sustainable growth, and affordability.

Charles Cormier, World Bank Regional Director for Infrastructure in Europe and Central Asia said that, “Our analysis provides countries in the Europe and Central Asia region with least-cost pathways towards fulfilling global commitments made at COP28. Our modelling shows that the region can increase its share of clean energy from nine per cent today to 75 per cent by 2060. This will only be possible with binding national commitments, targeted measures and investments.”
Clear and present danger

Climate change poses a clear and present danger to almost all of the economies of Central and Eastern Europe, threatening to undermine decades of economic progress and stability.

Addressing the economic threats necessitates comprehensive policy interventions. These include investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

Additionally, governments need to enhance their climate modelling and forecasting capabilities to better prepare and respond to climate risks.

Nevertheless, the same World Bank report warned that only nine countries in the region have set national net zero targets, with just five of them—Armenia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kyrgyzstan, and Romania—aiming for 2050. Other countries are yet to set national net zero commitments.

Economic policies must also include mechanisms to support those most affected by climate change. Social safety nets, retraining programmes, and economic diversification strategies can help mitigate the negative impacts on vulnerable populations.

The region faces a critical need to integrate climate risk into economic planning and policy-making. Only by adopting a proactive approach to climate resilience can the region not only safeguard its economic interests but also set a global example in climate adaptation and mitigation.

As the world moves deeper into the 21st century, the actions taken by countries in emerging Europe in response to climate change will be closely watched and will likely influence global strategies in combating this ubiquitous threat.

Photo by JK Baseer on Unsplash.

Pakistan attack targets van carrying Japanese autoworkers

Police said three people were wounded in port city of Karachi but bomber and accomplice died.

A police officer at the site of a suicide attack in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 19, 2024 [Fareed Khan/Ap Photo]

Published On 19 Apr 2024


A suicide bomber has detonated his explosive-laden vest near a van carrying Japanese autoworkers in Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi, police said, injuring three bystanders.

The van was heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals work at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, according to local police chief Arshad Awan.

The Japanese nationals escaped unhurt on Friday, Aswan said, adding that the three people wounded were in stable condition in hospital.

Two security guards were travelling in the bullet-proof van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects.

Police said a suicide bomber on a motorcycle set off his vest, while another assailant was shot dead by police patrolling the area.

Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer, said the quick police response foiled the attack.

Investigators examine a damaged van at the site of a suicide attack in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 19, 2024 [Fareed Khan/AP Photo]

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the assault in Karachi, the country’s largest city and the capital of the southern province of Sindh.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack on the Japanese workers.

Armed groups have in the past targeted Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China is one of Pakistan’s closest allies and has invested $62bn in the CPEC infrastructure project that spans a series of highways linking southwestern China to Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea.

In March, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide attacker rammed his explosive-laden car into their convoy near Besham city in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They were on their way from Islamabad to Dasu, the site of a hydroelectric dam being constructed by a Chinese company, about 270km (167 miles) from the capital.

Cyprus accused of migrant pushback to Lebanon as three boats returned to Tripoli's shores

Migrants said that Cypriot authorities stopped them in water for two days, denying their requests for food and water and forcing them to return to Lebanon.



William Christou
Lebanon
19 April, 2024

Cyprus has taken new restrictive policies in a response to a recent influx of migrants originating from Lebanon and Syria. [Getty]


Migrants who left via boat from Lebanon to try to reach Cyprus accused the island's authorities on Wednesday of leaving them stranded at sea and conducting a pushback amid rising alarm in Cyprus over increased migrant boats arriving on its shores.

Three boats carrying dozens of mostly Syrians left the coast of Lebanon off the northern city of Tripoli on Monday afternoon but were quickly intercepted by Cypriot authorities in the water.

Passengers said they were kept stranded in the water with dwindling food and water, and the Cypriot Coast Guard denied their requests for supplies.

"They had to go back to Lebanon; they were starving at that point. The Cypriots threatened them with guns, telling them they had to return," Ahmad (a pseudonym), a 33-year-old Syrian refugee living in Jounieh, north Lebanon, who had nine relatives on the boats, told The New Arab.

TNA approached Cyprus's Interior Ministry for a comment but did not receive a response by the time of publishing.

The three boats returned to Lebanon, with videos showing migrants disembarking an overcrowded trawler off Tripoli port on Wednesday.


One of the ships was apprehended by the Lebanese army. All of the Syrians on the boat who were registered as refugees with the UN were released, but those without official refugee status were kept.

Ahmad said that three of his cousins were still with the army and were threatened to be deported to Syria, as their residency papers had expired.

Since 2019, Lebanese authorities have deported returning Syrians who have left the country via an unofficial exit point.

Rights groups have said that Syria is still not safe for refugee return, citing the documented instances of arbitrary detainment, torture, sexual violence and even death at the hands of Syrian authorities.

According to the Lebanese Center for Human Rights, by returning Syrians to Lebanon with the knowledge that they would likely be deported to Syria, Cyprus has adopted a policy of "chain refoulment."
Cyprus on high alert

Cypriot authorities have taken new measures against migrants coming via boat from Lebanon and Syria after a 27-fold increase in migration to the island as compared to last year. Cyprus has the highest level of asylum seekers per capita in the EU.

On Tuesday, Cyprus announced that it would suspend the processing of Syrians' asylum requests in a bid to discourage new arrivals.

Cypriot coast guard ships also started patrolling Lebanon's coast after Cyprus's president visited Lebanon on 8 April.

Previously, under a 2020 bilateral deal between the two countries, Cyprus would return any migrants who left Lebanon, regardless of whether they were Lebanese nationals.

Since February, however, Lebanon has reportedly refused to continue taking back migrants, citing its already high levels of refugee populations.

Cyprus has publicly called for more EU funding and support for Lebanon so that it can step up its sea patrols and prevent more migrants from leaving its coast towards Cyprus. It has also called on the EU Council to recognise certain areas of Syria as safe so it can legally conduct refugee returns.
Rising violence against Syrians

Lebanon has been experiencing a wave of violence and state action against Syrians since the murder of Christian Lebanese Forces politician Pascal Sleiman on 8 April. The Lebanese army arrested several Syrians it said were responsible for killing Sleiman during a botched car-jacking.

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Killing of Lebanese Forces politician sparks fury on Syrians
William Christou

After his death was announced, gangs of Lebanese men began to beat up Syrians throughout Beirut, with at least one Syrian family in the Achrafieh neighbourhood having a Molotov cocktail thrown at their house.

Lebanese officials have announced that they will take harsher measures against Syrians with expired residency papers and draft up plans to deport those without. The Lebanese army dismantled informal settlements in the Bekaa Valley on Thursday and has reportedly stepped up deportations.

Ahmad said that he and his family have personally faced violence, with his brother being beaten up shortly before deciding to attempt the journey to Cyprus. Each passenger on the ship paid US$2,650 to smugglers for a spot on the boat.

Despite his family's failed journey to Cyprus and the potential to be deported back to Syria, Ahmad said that he will soon try to make it to Italy via sea. His own residency papers expired in 2019, and despite his attempts to renew them, Lebanese authorities did not grant him an extension.

"It's true that they were stopped in Cyprus, but maybe I will make it to Italy. I can't go back to Syria; I'm wanted there. And here, the situation is so bad. We are looking for a better life," Ahmad said.

 Iraq: Sudani Heads to Michigan to Meet Arab Americans at a Tense Time for the Middle East

5 April 2024, US, Arlington: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon. 

Photo: Mc1 Alexander Kubitza/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Asharq Al Awsat
19 April 2024 AD ـ 10 Shawwal 1445 AH


The leader of Iraq traveled to Michigan on Thursday following a sit-down with President Joe Biden to meet with the state's large Iraqi community and update them on escalating tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s weekend aerial assault on Israel.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's trip to both Washington and Michigan to discuss US-Iraq relations had been planned well before Saturday's drone and missile launches from Iran-backed groups. The visit has been thrust into the spotlight as tensions in the region escalate following the strike, which included drone and missile launches that overflew Iraqi airspace and others that were launched from Iraq by Iran-backed groups.
Michigan holds one of the largest populations of Iraqis in the nation and many local Democrats have pushed back against US support for Israel's war in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Oct. 7. The state holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country, The Associated Press said.
The Iraqi prime minister was met by Wayne County Executive Warren Evans upon arrival Thursday in addition to multiple leaders within the area's Arab American community, including Deputy Wayne County Executive Assad I. Turfe and Dearborn’s state Rep. Alabas Farhat.
A motorcade of over 40 cars then traveled to a mosque in Dearborn Heights where the prime minister met with Iraqi community members and officials to give an update on his meeting with Biden talking about the economic relations between Iraq and the US.
Local Wayne County leaders emphasized that the meeting had been planned before this weekend's developments, saying that a goal of the trip was to build relationships in a community that holds the largest Iraqi population outside of the Middle East.
There are just over 90,000 residents in Michigan of Iraqi descent, the largest of any state, according to the most recent US Census. In Wayne County, home to the cities of Detroit and Dearborn, 7.8% of residents identified of Middle Eastern and North African ancestry, alone or in any combination, the highest percentage of any US county.
The concentration of those residents in the outskirts of Detroit has led to multiple visits to the area from officials engaged in Middle Eastern relations.
Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to Biden, traveled to metro Detroit in March to meet with Lebanese Americans and discuss efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding along Israel’s northern border, where Hezbollah operates. Multiple White House officials also traveled to Dearborn in February to meet with Arab American leaders to discuss the conflict.
Fears over the war expanding grew over the weekend following the strikes and the developments have raised further questions about the viability of the two-decade American military presence in Iraq. However, a US Patriot battery in Irbil, Iraq, which is designed to protect against missiles, did shoot down at least one Iranian ballistic missile, according to American officials — one of dozens of missiles and drones destroyed by US forces alongside Israeli efforts to defeat the attack.

 Erdogan’s Visit to Baghdad to Mark Changing Point in Relations between Iraq, Türkiye

EXPANDING THE WAR ON PKK/YPJ

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 

Ankara: Saeed Abdulrazek
19 April 2024 AD ـ 10 Shawwal 1445 AH

Iraq and Türkiye are expected to deepen their relations when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pays a visit to Baghdad on Monday.

Ankara and Baghdad announced that the visit will witness the signing of a strategic framework agreement that covers security, economic and development affairs and the water and energy files.

An Iraqi government source confirmed on Thursday Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler’s announcement that the two neighbors will sign a strategic cooperation agreement on combating the operations of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Turkish Defense Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk told reporters on Thursday that Ankara will speed up Operation Claw-Lock against the PKK in northern Iraq.

On Tuesday, Erdogan said the water file will be one of the most important articles on his agenda in Baghdad.

The Iraqi source said Türkiye has been showing its readiness to cooperate in finding a mechanism to secure Iraq’s water share.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Development Road project, which it unveiled in 2023, will also be an important issue on Erdogan’s agenda.

Turkish Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Friday that an agreement has been reached over months of ministerial and technical discussions to form a joint mechanism that would follow up on the project.

He hoped that the United Arab Emirates and Qatar would become a part of it.

Turkish-Iraqi parliamentary discussions held in Ankara on Wednesday and Thursday concluded that it was in both countries’ best interest to jointly act to combat terrorism and bolster cooperation in economic and development fields, with Erdogan’s visit expected to mark a changing point in their relations.

WHO to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sudanese Hospitals on the Verge of Collapse

Patients receiving treatment at Gedaref Hospital in eastern Sudan (AFP)

Riyadh: Fatehelrahman Yousif
19 April 2024 AD ـ 10 Shawwal 1445 AH


The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that Sudan’s hospitals are on the verge of collapse.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Hassan Balkhi, revealed that about 70 to 80 percent of hospitals in the war-torn provinces were not operating, either due to prolonged attacks, shortage of medical supplies and equipment, or lack of health workers.”
Moreover, the WHO regional director attributed part of the crisis in hospitals to “lack of security,” in addition to the fact that the health system in Sudan “was already exhausted before the war, and is now on the verge of collapse.”
She urged the international community to expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid and work to end the ongoing hostilities in the country, stressing the need to implement the decisions of the recent Paris conference.
On her recent visit to Sudan in mid-march, Balkhi said: “My observations on the ground have confirmed the devastating humanitarian crisis of frightening proportions that the ongoing conflict has made 25 million people need urgent assistance this year, while the war forced the displacement of 8.6 million people, and at least 14,600 people were killed, and 33,000 others injured.”
According to the WHO regional director, the outbreaks of diseases are increasing, including cholera, measles, malaria, poliovirus type 2, dengue fever, and hepatitis E, in light of the disruption of basic public health services...

Food insecurity has reached a record level, as nearly half of the children suffer from acute malnutrition, she emphasized.
Balkhi said that the World Health Organization was deploying all possible efforts “within the available capabilities.”
“We are pursuing all possible means and working with local and international partners to make life-saving health care accessible to millions of the most vulnerable people,” she told Asharq Al-Awsat.
For a whole year, according to Balkhi, the WHO and its partners maintained a large presence on the ground. The organization offered aid to about 2.5 million people, while mobile clinics provided services to 3.3 million individuals, including cholera, measles, and rubella vaccines to millions of people in different states.
Since the beginning of the war in Sudan, “the organization has verified at least 62 attacks on health care, resulting in 38 deaths and 45 injuries,” she said, adding: “We condemn in the strongest terms the continued attacks on health care in Sudan, and the occupation of health facilities. These attacks must stop.”



Sudanese Army Strikes Darfur, RSF Advances on Kordofan

A member of the army walks amid damaged houses in Omdurman in Khartoum earlier in April. (Reuters)

Wad Madani: Mohammed Amin Yassin
19 April 2024 AD ـ 10 Shawwal 1445 AH


The Sudanese army carried out on Thursday a series of air raids on Rapid Support Forces (RSF) positions in the Al-Fashir city, the capital of the North Sudan state, and Nyala in South Darfur in the country’s west.

Meanwhile, sources from the RSF said they were advancing “to liberate Kordofan state” in southern Sudan from the military.

Fierce fighting has been reported for days in Darfur and Kordofan. They intensified on Thursday, deepening the suffering of the people and displacing tens of thousands.

A resident of Al-Fashir told the Arab World Press Agency (AWPA) that prices of goods and fuel have spiked amid the displacement of the people from the countryside to the city.

Over 25,000 families from 31 villages have sought refuge in the city. They are being housed in 15 centers, said a support group for the villages of the Al-Fashir countryside.

The refugees are in deep need of essential goods, such as food, medicine and health services, it added.

Meanwhile, cracks appeared in the sole bridge that connects the northern and southern parts of Nyala city, raising fears of its collapse. Locals said the bridge was damaged in shelling between the army and RSF.

The bridge was built 40 years ago and is vital for Nyala as it connects it with other regions in the south and west. It is the main route for the delivery of goods and the provision of various services.

Kordofan

In Kordofan, an RSF source said the force has caused heavy losses to the army in fighting in the state’s northern region.

The RSF also seized the Jebel al-Dair camp in the Sidra military zone.

Speaking on condition of anonymity to the AWPA, the source added that the RSF also captured six combat vehicles.

The RSF is advancing to liberate Kordofan from the army, it stated.

On the other hand, the army posted on its official Facebook page a video of its drones striking an alleged RSF position without specifying the location of the target.

In a statement, the military said its drones “were continuing to strike the Janjaweed” - a reference to the RSF. It destroyed dozens of RSF combat vehicles, leaving “massive losses in the ranks of the mercenary militia.”

It stressed that it was ensuring that infrastructure and public and private properties are not targeted and that the rules of engagement were being respected.

800 casualties

In the central Gezira state, the “Madani resistance committees” said that since the army’s withdrawal four months ago, “the RSF has not spared any area from its worst form of violations, killings, looting, rapes and terrorization.”

They accused the RSF of the killing of over 800 people in the state. Other sources said the number could not be confirmed.

The committees warned that cases of rape and violations against women and children were on the rise, saying this could lead to a social disaster in the future.

Moreover, they revealed that the RSF had kicked off in recent days a “new wave of violations” by attacking several towns in Al-Hasaheisa in Gezira, looting cars and crops.

Several sources have said the RSF has committed killings against locals in villages in central Sudan. The RSF has denied the claims.

In addition, the committees accused the army of using barrel bombs in Gezira, leaving dozens of casualties and injuries among the civilians and in complete disregard of rules of engagement.

Two people were killed and others wounded in military strikes on Wednesday on central areas of Wad Madani, continued the committees.

Singapore recalls Everest Fish Curry Masala over 'excess pesticide content'

Singapore has recalled spice maker Everest's Fish Curry Masala, a popular product in India, alleging the presence of a pesticide called ethylene oxide at levels exceeding the permissible limit.


Everest Fish Curry Masala is a popular spice product in India. 

(Credits: everestfoods.com)

India Today World Desk
New Delhi,

 Apr 19, 2024 
Written By: Prateek Chakraborty

In ShortSingapore Food Agency recalls Everest's Fish Curry Masala

Alleges high levels of ethylene oxide found in product

Singapore says ethylene oxide authorised for sterilisation of spices

Singapore has ordered a recall of spice maker Everest's Fish Curry Masala, a popular product in India, alleging the presence of a pesticide called ethylene oxide at levels exceeding the permissible limit.

Singapore has recalled spice maker Everest's Fish Curry Masala, a popular product in India, alleging the presence of a pesticide called ethylene oxide at levels exceeding the permissible limit.

In a statement released by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Thursday, the agency directed the importer, Sp Muthiah and Sons Pvt Ltd, to recall the products.

The SFA said ethylene oxide is not authorised for use in food and is only used to fumigate agricultural products to prevent microbial contamination.

"Under Singapore’s Food Regulations, ethylene oxide is allowed to be used in the sterilisation of spices," the SFA added.

The food agency said while there was no immediate risk to the consumption of food contaminated with low levels of ethylene oxide, long-term exposure may lead to health issues.


"There is no immediate risk to consumption of food. Therefore, exposure to this substance should be minimised as much as possible," it said.

"Consumers who have purchased the implicated products are advised not to consume it. Those who have consumed the implicated products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers may contact their point of purchase for enquiries," the SFA further said.

Everest has not yet reacted to the development.

 Not too late to block Assange extradition, WikiLeaks editor says

Protesters outside the Old Bailey in London (Yui Mok/PA)

By Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent

Wed 10 Apr 2024 

The editor of WikiLeaks has said it is not too late to halt Julian Assange’s extradition to the US, after President Joe Biden said he is “considering” dropping the prosecution of the journalist.

Mr Biden’s reaction to a question at the White House came on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the WikiLeaks founder being held in Belmarsh prison in London.

He is embroiled in a lengthy legal battle to avoid being extradited.

Mr Biden said the US was considering a request from the Australian government to drop the prosecution.

By dropping the charges against Julian he will be protecting freedom of expression and the rights of journalists and publishers globally

Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been pressing for Assange’s release for the past few months.

When asked about the request by reporters at the White House on Wednesday, Mr Biden replied: “We’re considering it.”

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Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr Biden’s comment was encouraging.

“I have said that we have raised, on behalf of Mr Assange, Australia’s national interests, that enough is enough and this needs to be brought to a conclusion, and we’ve raised it at each level of government in every possible way,” Mr Albanese told the ABC.

“Mr Assange has already paid a significant price and enough is enough.

“There’s nothing to be gained by Mr Assange’s continued incarceration in my very strong view and I’ve put that as the view of the Australian government,” he added.

Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, said: “The campaign to free Julian Assange is supported by the Australian government, the world’s leading human rights and journalists’ organisations, global world leaders and the Pope.

“It is not too late for President Biden to stop Julian’s extradition to the US, which was a politically motivated act by his predecessor.

“By dropping the charges against Julian he will be protecting freedom of expression and the rights of journalists and publishers globally.

“We urge him to end this legal process, to free Julian, and to recognise that journalism is not a crime.”

Assange is waiting to hear if he can launch a final appeal against extradition.

Mr Biden’s comment was described as “encouraging” by Mr Assange’s lawyer.