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Middle East: UN condemns attacks on peacekeeping troops

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The head of UN peacekeeping operations said its troops would remain at their posts in Lebanon despite fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Australia has imposed fresh sanctions on Iran.

 

UN Security Council voices “strong concern” for peacekeepers in southern Lebanon during emergency session in New York UNIFIL head says peacekeepers to remain in their positions Australia imposes fresh sanctions on Iran

Here are the latest developments on the Israel-Lebanon escalation, Gaza and the wider Middle East region on Tuesday, October 15:

Australia imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian individuals

Australia’s government has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on five Iranians who contribute to the nation’s missile defense program, Foreign Minster Penny Wong said.

She said that Iran’s launch of at least 180 ballistic missiles against Israel on October 1 was “a dangerous escalation that increased the risk of a wider regional war.”

The sanctions were imposed on two directors and a senior officer at Iran’s Aerospace Industries Organization. The director of the Shahid Begheri Industrial Group and the commercial director of the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group were also targeted.

The announcement brings the total number of Iran-linked people sanctioned by Australia to 200.

“Australia will continue to hold Iran to account for its reckless and destabilizing actions,” Wong said.

Israeli government says it will listen to US but make own ‘final decisions’

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that Israel would listen to the United States but make its own decisions based on national interest.

“‏We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interests,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that was first quoted by The Washington Post and later by news agencies including Reuters.

The statement comes amid anticipation that Israel will retaliate to Iran’s missile strikes on October 1.

The Washington Post reported, citing two official sources familiar with the matter, that Netanyahu assured the US that Israel would rather strike Iran’s military assets over its oil and nuclear facilities.

The US is a steadfast supporter of Israel in its conflict with Hamas and now Hezbollah. However, President Joe Biden has warned Israel against striking Iran’s energy facilities in order to avoid a further expansion of regional war and a spike in global energy prices.

UN Security Council expresses ‘strong concern’ over attacks on peacekeepers

The United Nations Security Council voiced “strong concern” over attacks on UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon days after at least five were wounded during fighting in the area.

The Security Council reiterated its support for the mission’s role “in supporting regional security” after a session late on Monday in New York City.

It follows a series of incidents in which members of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeepers in southern Lebanon were wounded by Israeli military fire, often at their designated posts.

In one notable incident on Sunday, two Israeli tanks burst through the gates of a UNIFIL base, the UN said. At least five peacekeepers were injured. Israel has rejected the UN’s acocunt of the incident.

Members called on all parties “to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and UN premises,” said Switzerland’s UN envoy Pascale Baeriswyl, who serves as the acting president of the Security Council.

“They recall that UN peacekeepers and UN premises must never be the target of an attack,” he said.

UNIFIL is tasked with supporting efforts to disarm militias in southern Lebanon and return the Lebanese army to that area. Israel has criticized the peacekeeping operation for failing in its mission to stabilize the region.

Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday repeated a call UNIFIL troops to leave certain areas near the border during its military operations. He accused Hezbollah of using the UNIFIL forces as “human shields,” staying in close proximity to them intentionally.

But the peacekeeping force has repeatedly said it will stay at all of its posts.

“A decision was made that UNIFIL will currently stay in all its positions, in spite of the calls that were made by the Israeli forces to vacate the positions that were in the vicinity of the blue line,” said the UN’s head of peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

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“We no lose o” — VeryDarkMan sings and dances after court hearing against Femi Falana and Falz held today.

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"We no lose o" — VeryDarkMan sings and dances after court hearing against Femi Falana and Falz held today.
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VeryDarkMan’s court hearing against Femi Falana and Falz took place today, and he seems to be celebrating. However, the court actually ruled in favor of Femi Falana, ordering VeryDarkMan to delete defamatory videos about him.

It appears VeryDarkMan had made some allegations against Falana and his son, Falz, which the court deemed defamatory. The court also granted Falana’s request to serve VeryDarkMan with court processes through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju Esq.

Despite the court’s ruling, VeryDarkMan seems to be in high spirits, singing and dancing after the hearing. It’s unclear what the outcome of the case will be, but for now, VeryDarkMan appears to be taking it in stride.

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GUNMEN ATTACK MILITARY CHECKPOINT AT ABIA AND IMO BOARDER, ALLEGEDLY KILL TWO SOLDIERS…

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GUNMEN ATTACK MILITARY CHECKPOINT AT ABIA AND IMO BOARDER, ALLEGEDLY KILL TWO SOLDIERS
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Ekwutosblog gathered that Gunmen attacked an army checkpoint earlier today, Wednesday 13th November, 2024 at Ekenobizi, a border community between Abia and Imo states in Umuopara, Umuahia South Local Government Area, killing two soldiers.

A military source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred around 6:18 am. The gunmen arrived in a white Lexus (350/400) model, although the exact number of attackers could not be confirmed.

Confirming the incident in a press release on Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Unuakhalu of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA said: “In the early hours of today, 13 November 2024, troops of the Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, deployed at a checkpoint along the Umuahia – Owerri Road in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, came under attack by faceless group.

“During the attack, the gallant troops were able to repel the assault, forcing the attackers to retreat in disarray with gunshot wounds, abandoning one Sienna and one Lexus Jeep used in the attack. However, in the ensuing firefight, two soldiers paid the supreme price.”

The Joint Task Force appealed to residents of the South East, particularly those in Abia State, for credible information to help track down the fleeing attackers and combat criminal elements in the region.

The force reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property in line with global best practices and the rules of engagement.

Kindly follow ekwutosblog on Instagram and Facebook for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

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TV chef found dead in hotel aged 52 after criticising Vladimir Putin

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Alexei Zimin has died
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A TV chef who fled to London after his opposition of Vladimir Putoin has been found dead while on a promotional tour

A Russian TV chef who criticised Vladimir Putin has been found dead in a Belgrade hotel

Alexei Zimin, 52, died suddenly on a promotional tour to the Serbian capital. Authorities have said his cause of death is currently “unclear”.

Zimin fled Russia to London after his oppositions of Putin. Zimin was once a popular figure on Russian cooking shows. He also owned Zima restaurant in Soho, which he founded after he had left Russia following Putin’s invasion of Crimea.

In a statement released by Zima magazine today, a spokesperson said: “Alexei Zimin, the project’s editor-in-chief and the chef of the Zima restaurant, has passed away. Alexei was not only a colleague, he was our friend, a close person with whom we were lucky to go through a lot – both good, kind and sad.”

London-based exiled Russian TV chef, editor and restaurateur Alexei Zimin, dies at 52.

It concluded: “Thank you to everyone for the words we received today about Alexei. We are hurting together with you.”

Zimin had also been editor-in-chief of the Russian edition of GQ magazine.

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