US blocks Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN, sparking global outrage
The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, its fourth veto during the ongoing conflict.
Fourteen of the 15 Council members supported the resolution, which also demanded the release of hostages and condemned efforts to starve Palestinians.
The U.S. argued the draft failed to link a ceasefire to the release of hostages, with Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood warning it would send a "dangerous message" to Hamas.
Critics, including France and China, condemned this position, accusing the U.S. of enabling humanitarian violations. Human Rights Watch accused Washington of shielding Israel from accountability for alleged crimes in Gaza.
France expressed deep regret, while China questioned whether Palestinian lives held value to the U.S.
The war, sparked by a deadly Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has led to over 43,920 deaths in Gaza, according to Hamas-run health officials.
Israel defends its military campaign as targeting Hamas fighters, facilitating civilian evacuations, and delivering aid. Amid worsening humanitarian conditions and UN warnings of imminent famine in northern Gaza, the veto has intensified global calls for a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian relief.
Biden denounces ICC war crimes warrant against Netanyahu
US President Joe Biden called the International Criminal Court's (ICC) war crimes arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "outrageous."
The ICC also issued warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas commander Mohammed Deif, citing their "criminal responsibility" during the Israel-Hamas war.
While European nations largely respected the ICC's decision, the U.S. and Israel rejected it. Biden emphasized unwavering U.S. support for Israel, denying any moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas.
Netanyahu dismissed the ICC's accusations as antisemitic, likening them to the Dreyfus trial, and declared Israel would not recognize the court's authority. He also defended Israeli actions, claiming efforts to safeguard Gaza civilians amid Hamas's alleged use of human shields.
The ICC's allegations include policies leading to starvation in Gaza, which Netanyahu strongly refuted, citing substantial humanitarian aid provided to the region.
Meanwhile, the UN warned of dire survival conditions in Gaza due to prolonged sieges and minimal aid deliveries. Both Israel and Hamas deny the ICC's charges, further polarizing global responses to the court's controversial move.
Rwanda plans nationwide EV charging network
The Ministry of Infrastructure is developing a master plan to establish a well-distributed network of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Rwanda. The plan ensures that no driver will need to travel more than 50 kilometers to find a charging station.
This initiative seeks to guide investors in the EV sector, avoiding random placement of stations and ensuring optimal utilization.
The plan prioritizes densely populated and high-traffic areas, while considering existing fuel stations and commercial buildings for integration. Preliminary analysis estimates a need for at least 226 charging stations nationwide.
As of August 2024, Rwanda had 24 EV charging stations, four for electric motorcycles, and 49 motorcycle battery-swapping and recharging points, excluding home charging units.
With only 512 fully electric vehicles and 7,172 hybrid vehicles recorded between 2020 and 2024, the master plan aims to expand infrastructure to support the growing adoption of electric transportation. This project is a key step in promoting sustainable mobility and reducing Rwanda's reliance on fossil fuels.
Amahoro stadium to host first Athletics event after renovation
Amahoro Stadium will host the National Athletics Championship on November 23, 2024, marking its first athletics event since its renovation.
The competition will feature 1,117 athletes, including 268 men, 279 women, 288 boys, and 282 girls, representing teams such as APR AC, Police AC, Sina Gérard AC, and others.
Participants will compete in track events ranging from 100m to 10,000m and field events like long jump, triple jump, javelin, discus, and shot put.
This championship returns to Amahoro Stadium after three years, with the venue now upgraded to support diverse sports events.
In 2023, the championship was held in Bugesera, where Team Sina Gérard dominated in the women's and overall categories, winning 15 gold, eight bronze, and three silver medals.
The University of Rwanda's Huye Campus (UR-Huye) led the men's category, earning six gold, one bronze, and three silver medals.
The event highlights Amahoro Stadium's readiness to host major competitions and reinforces Rwanda's commitment to advancing athletics.
Adani Group faces U.S. charges over alleged bribery scheme in solar energy project
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his companies face U.S. criminal and civil charges for allegedly bribing Indian officials to secure contracts for a massive solar energy project.
In 2020, Adani Green Energy won a bid to supply 8 gigawatts of electricity, part of a 12-gigawatt project expected to generate billions in revenue. However, local electricity distributors resisted buying the power, leading to alleged bribes to persuade them.
According to U.S. authorities, Adani and associates promised hundreds of millions in bribes, including $228 million to Andhra Pradesh officials in 2021. By December, Andhra Pradesh and other states had agreed to purchase the power.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Justice Department began investigating in 2022, uncovering messages between Adani's team and executives of Azure Power, the project's co-awardee. Azure cooperated, stating implicated individuals had left the company.
Despite ongoing investigations, Adani's companies raised billions through international investors, allegedly providing false assurances about anti-bribery compliance. A 2023 FBI search of Adani's devices revealed further evidence.
On Nov. 20, 2024, an indictment against Adani and others was unsealed, causing a $27 billion loss in Adani Group's market value. Adani Green Energy canceled a $600 million bond sale as fallout intensified.
Ugandan Minister denies gun possession claims against Besigye
Uganda's Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, has dismissed allegations that veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was found in possession of a firearm during his recent arrest in Nairobi.
Otafiire stated that immigration officials at both Entebbe and Nairobi airports confirmed that Besigye did not have a gun when he was checked.
The clarification follows Besigye's arrest on charges linked to security offenses and alleged gun possession. These claims have sparked outcry among Besigye's supporters, who view the accusations as politically motivated.
'I inquired from both Entebbe and Nairobi airport officials, and they confirmed Besigye was not carrying any firearm,' Otafiire said, countering speculation about the legitimacy of the charges.
The Minister's remarks aim to dispel public doubts about the case. However, Besigye's supporters argue that his arrest is part of a larger strategy of political suppression as Uganda heads toward the 2026 presidential elections.
The incident has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally, with critics questioning the government's motives. While officials maintain that Besigye's detention is justified, the controversy continues to intensify, further highlighting the deep divisions in Uganda's political landscape.
IGIHE
