📰 Ukraine sees sweeping protests over bill weakening anti-corruption agencies
Ukrainians are protesting against a bill that threatens the autonomy of two anti-corruption agencies, giving more power to the general prosecutor appointed by the president. President Zelenskyy is facing major protests, with demonstrations in Kyiv and other cities following the legislation’s passage. The bill could weaken the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). European Commissioner Marta Kos and the agencies themselves have expressed concerns about the impact on anti-corruption efforts and Ukraine’s bid to join the EU. The move could also strain relations with the U.S., as both the U.S. and the EU have supported efforts to combat corruption in Ukraine.
📰 News agency says its Gaza journalists suffering health woes as union warns they will die without intervention
The Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency’s freelance journalists in Gaza are facing severe health issues, with the union warning that they may die without immediate intervention. The journalists are struggling to source food and are experiencing constant headaches and dizziness, making it difficult for them to report on the situation in Gaza. The union emphasized that these journalists are among the few reporting on Gaza as international press has been banned from entering the territory for nearly two years. One photographer, identified as Bashar, shared his struggles on social media, highlighting the dire living conditions and health risks he faces while trying to do his job. The union mentioned that despite receiving a monthly salary from AFP, the journalists are finding it hard to afford basic necessities due to the high cost of living in Gaza. Other news agencies like the AP and Reuters have also expressed concern for their teams in Gaza and are providing support to ensure their well-being.
📰 Wonder Woman’ actress Gal Gadot praises ‘strength’ of freed Hamas hostages during emotional visit
“Gal Gadot, the actress known for her role as Wonder Woman, visited survivors of Hamas captivity who shared their harrowing stories during the gathering. The survivors expressed gratitude for Gadot’s support in bringing hostages home and emphasized the importance of keeping the issue in people’s hearts and minds. Gadot, a former combat instructor in the Israel Defense Forces, praised the courage of the freed hostages and acknowledged their strength and inspiration. Despite the release of 33 individuals in a previous agreement, there are still 50 hostages, including Americans, in Hamas captivity, prompting ongoing advocacy efforts by groups like the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Gadot’s visit aimed to raise international awareness and support for the remaining hostages, highlighting the continued need for their safe return.”
📰 Huckabee hits back at Western countries that ‘side’ with terror group Hamas
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee criticized Western countries for calling on Israel to end the war in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas, a designated terror group. Hamas welcomed the joint statement from the UK and 25 other countries calling for an end to the war, claiming Israel was carrying out a “policy of starvation” in Gaza. Israel and the U.S. denied hunger in Gaza, stating they are preventing aid theft by Hamas. Israel refuted claims of intentionally targeting civilians, emphasizing its efforts to protect civilians in Gaza. The aid distribution model in Gaza has faced criticism, with reports of people dying while attempting to receive aid.
The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund introduced a new system to deliver food directly to families in Gaza, delivering millions of meals since May. The UN Secretary-General condemned reports of malnutrition and violence in Gaza, emphasizing the protection of civilians. Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz defended Israel’s actions in Gaza, attributing harm to civilians to Hamas. The aid distribution efforts in Gaza aim to weaken Hamas’s control and provide assistance to Palestinians in need.
Reports of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza have raised concerns, with conflicting information on the situation. A senior researcher in Tel Aviv disputed claims of hunger-related deaths, attributing supply problems to Hamas. Hamas has been accused of misusing humanitarian aid for personal gain and selling aid at high prices. Israel’s efforts to weaken Hamas’s financial and administrative capabilities have reportedly put pressure on the terror group in Gaza.
📰 US-backed org sounds the alarm over abandoned aid for Gaza, calls for UN collaboration
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is seeking collaboration with the United Nations to improve aid distribution in Gaza, as millions of civilians are facing food insecurity due to aid not reaching them effectively. GHF’s executive chairman, Rev. Johnnie Moore, criticized the U.N. for blaming stalled aid on access issues rather than acknowledging capacity and operational challenges. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shared a video showing aid trucks waiting in Gaza for distribution. GHF spokesperson Chapin Fay highlighted the organization’s success in delivering aid safely and securely without diversion, distributing around 85 million meals in less than two months. Despite criticism from U.N. officials like Tom Fletcher and Francesca Albanese, GHF defended its operations, citing minimal violence incidents at its sites and emphasizing the professionalism of its security personnel.
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