UN chief ‘dismayed’, ‘disturbed’ by Israel strikes on Gaza
The New York Times reports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “dismayed” by civilian casualties in Gaza and “deeply disturbed” by Israel’s strike on a building containing international media outlets. Guterres spoke as Israel pummelled the Gaza Strip with air strikes, killing 10 members of an extended family and demolishing the 13-floor Gaza building housing Qatar-based Al Jazeera and the Associated Press news agency, with Palestinians firing back barrages of rockets. The UN Security Council will meet later today to discuss the violence.
Pro-Palestinian demos world-wide
Huffington Post says thousands of people took to the streets of London, Paris, Sydney, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Washington and Montreal to show their support for the Palestinians, as airstrikes pounded Gaza and rocket attacks hit Israel for a sixth consecutive day. The violence showed little sign of abating as Israeli airstrikes killed at least 10 people, and rocket attacks from Gaza killed a man in Israel. There were also many Jewish protesters critical of the Netanyahu government carrying ‘Not in my name’ signs.
Diplomatic moves continue
According to CNN, international diplomatic efforts continue but have yet to show any signs of success. President Biden spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. During the call with Netanyahu, Biden reiterated his support for Israel’s right to self-defence against rocket attacks from Hamas in Gaza. After his call with Biden, Netanyahu went on television, saying Israel’s operation would continue until it achieved its goals.
Budapest mayor to challenge Orban
Echo TV reports the mayor of Budapest, 45-year-old Gergely Karacsony, has launched his challenge to Hunagrian Prime Minister Viktor Orban by announcing his intention to lead an alliance of the opposition to challenge him in next year’s elections. Three of the six opposition parties have already announced that they would support him.
Chileans go to the polls
Some 15 million Chileans go to the polls today as part of a historic election that would allow them to choose the 155 members of a constituent assembly in charge to send in the archives of history the Constitution imposed by General Augusto Pinochet. It is expected to be a complex process, because each voter will receive various ballots, in addition to the one for the Constituent Assembly, to also choose 16 governors, 345 mayors and the members of the Chilean regional and municipal councils.
Eight-month-old baby receives COVID vaccine
According to The New Yorker, an eight-month-old baby boy from upstate Baldwinsville, NY, is the youngest person in the world to receive two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vincenzo Mincolla got his second jab as part of a clinical trial being conducted by Upstate Medical University. The hospital is one of four sites in the US testing the Pfizer vaccine in children under age five.
