September 29, 2024

*) Erdogan blasts Israel for extending its 'genocidal policy' to Lebanon Turkish President Erdogan slammed Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, accusing it of extending "genocidal, occupation, and invasion policies." Erdogan condemned the killing of Lebanese civilians, including children, and said Israel is emboldened by international support, challenging humanitarian values and international law. "No one with a conscience can justify this massacre," Erdogan wrote on X. *) Türkiye criticises US decision to lift arms embargo on Greek Cypriot Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry warned that the US decision to extend the arms embargo lift on the Greek Cypriot side will spark an arms race on the island and destabilise the region. The island is divided between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration in the south. The US imposed the arms embargo on Cyprus in 1987 to prevent escalation. It lifted the embargo on the Greek Cypriot side in 2020, expanded it in 2022, and extended it again in 2023. *) Deadly bomb blasts hit Somalia's Mogadishu At least six people were killed and 10 injured in bomb blasts in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, and the Middle Shabelle region. One blast came from a car rigged with explosives near the National Theatre, close to the president's office, killing five and injuring seven. While no group has claimed responsibility, al Shabaab frequently carries out such attacks. *) Flooding, landslides kill scores in Nepal's capital Floods and landslides in Nepal, triggered by heavy rains, have killed at least 59 people, with 44 still missing, police said. Over 200 incidents were reported, and the toll is expected to rise. Rivers near Kathmandu have overflowed, flooding nearby homes. *) Thousands in Japan bid farewell to pandas returning to China Thousands of emotional fans flocked to a Tokyo zoo to say goodbye to beloved pandas Ri Ri and Shin Shin before their return to China. Wearing panda-themed gear, visitors shed tears and took selfies as they waved at the couple. Over 2,000 fans lined up outside Ueno Zoo, with some camping out overnight.