The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity, such as murder, persecution, and using starvation as a method of warfare during the 2023-2024 West Asia conflict. Netanyahu’s office has dismissed the warrants as “antisemitic” and politically motivated. He rejected the court’s decision and vowed to protect Israelis citizen, while Hamas has denied Deif’s involvement, citing claims of his death in 2024.
GUNMEN ATTACK ON VEHICLES IN PAKISTAN: 42 KILLED
Gunmen ambushed a convoy traveling from Parachinar to Peshawar in the Kurram district of Pakistan, killing at least 42 people and injuring several others, including women. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which highlights the rising wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the assault and called for immediate medical aid for the victims. The district, plagued by sectarian and tribal violence, has seen f requent main and link road closures with Afghanistan and unrest in recent months.
COP29 SUMMIT LEAVES CLIMATE FINANCE TARGET AS ‘X’
As COP29 in Baku nears its conclusion, the summit remains deadlocked over establishing an annual climate finance target. A draft released on November 21 left the funding figure as “X,” reflecting unresolved debates over contributor responsibilities and financial definitions. Developing nations seek grants from wealthier countries, excluding contributions from nations like China, while developed countries push for broader definitions of climate finance. Negotiators criticized the text as “imbalanced” and “unworkable,” raising concerns about meeting climate commitments. The COP29 presidency promised a revised draft to facilitate a last-minute resolution.
US VETOES GAZA CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION
On November 20, the U.S. vetoed a UN Security Council resolution advocating for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, arguing it failed to guarantee the release of hostages held by Hamas. Deputy US Ambassador Robert Wood emphasized that a durable ceasefire must include this condition. Other permanent members, including the UK and France, voted in favour, citing humanitarian needs and civilian protection. Palestinian officials condemned the veto, accusing the U.S. of enabling Israeli actions. The resolution, drafted by 10 non-permanent members, was rejected despite widespread international support. After the vote, Israel vowed to continue with its military operation, saying it would not engage in “meaningless” negotiations with Hamas.
‘ZETA-CLASS’: WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL SUPERCOMPUTER
Japan has announced plans to develop the world’s first zeta-class supercomputer, capable of performing 1,000 times more calculations than today’s fastest supercomputers by 2025. Spearheaded by RIKEN Centre for Computational Science, the project’s goal is to revolutionize fields like climate modelling, drug discovery, and AI. Dr Satoshi Matsuoka of RIKEN reiterates the critical role supercomputers play in solving complex global challenges. With this leap in computational power, Japan continues to solidify its position as a leader in technological innovation.
