world news

In a decisive move, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called upon Israel to take immediate action to quell the rising wave of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Blinken, currently in San Francisco attending an Asia-Pacific summit, conveyed this urgent plea during a phone conversation with Benny Gantz, an opposition leader who recently joined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wartime cabinet.

Israeli Defense Forces bomb the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, a top Hamas figure, alleging it was a hub for coordinating attacks against Israel. Tensions escalate as Israel targets Hamas amid mounting civilian casualties, prompting calls for a ceasefire.

Bangladesh gears up for parliamentary elections on January 7 amidst opposition boycott threats. The announcement by the Chief Election Commissioner triggers tensions between the ruling Awami League and the opposition led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's party, heightening concerns of instability.

In a significant development amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israeli troops conducting a raid in the Gaza Strip's Al Shifa hospital discovered weapons and "terror infrastructure," according to a senior military official. The soldiers arrived at the hospital complex during the night, and although there was no fighting within the hospital, the official claimed to have found evidence that Hamas used Al Shifa as a "terror headquarters."

China and the US are set to launch a working group on climate cooperation, focusing on key areas such as energy transition and methane reduction. The joint initiative, announced ahead of a leaders' meeting, aims to accelerate concrete climate actions and address challenges in the relationship. The move signals potential collaboration amidst strained ties and emphasizes the urgency of global climate efforts.

A Lancet study warns of a potential fivefold increase in yearly heat-related deaths by the end of the century if global temperatures rise by 2°C. The report underscores the immediate health risks and the inadequacy of current mitigation efforts, urging urgent action at COP28 to limit global heating and ensure a prosperous and healthy future.