Category: 2. World

Calling the humanitarian aid distribution centers “death traps,” the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that 583 people had died since GHF first began operating in Gaza in late May following a three-month Israeli blockade on aid distribution.

Since then, there have been almost daily claims of the Israeli military deliberately firing at aid recipients, accusations that the IDF has denied. The United Nations condemned the GHF aid system, with Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday calling it “inherently unsafe.”

Refuting the claims in a statement to NBC News Tuesday, GHF said it was “providing millions of meals each day directly to the Palestinian people who deserve and need aid.”

“Instead of bickering and throwing insults from the sidelines, we would welcome other humanitarian groups to join us and feed the people in Gaza,” it added.

Israel, which has defended GHF by saying it provides direct assistance to Palestinians while bypassing Hamas interference, said in a statement Monday that it would “examine” the reports of civilians being hurt at the aid sites and add new fencing and sign posting to improve access.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused Hamas of firing at civilians at humanitarian sites and of falsely blaming the IDF to “disrupt aid efforts and keep the people of Gaza away from much needed aid,” according to a post on X.

The move comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington early next week, a White House official confirmed to NBC News, as pressure to end the war in Gaza intensifies.

“I am expected to leave next week for meetings in the United States with President Trump,” Netanyahu said Tuesday. “These things come in the wake of the great victory we achieved in Operation ‘Rising lion,’” he added, referring to Israel’s recent military assault on Iran.

The Israeli leader added that along with Trump, he would also meet other senior U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff. “We have a few things to close before then in order to reach the trade agreement in addition to other things,” he said.

Trump also said on Tuesday that he would discuss the situation in Gaza with Netanyahu during the upcoming visit.

The president in an earlier post on Truth Social on Saturday said that Netanyahu was “right now in the process of negotiating a Deal with Hamas, which will include getting the Hostages back.” On Sunday, he again urged both sides to make progress on the stalled ceasefire talks. “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!” Trump wrote in a separate post.

A two-month ceasefire collapsed in March after Israel renewed its military assault on Gaza and imposed a total aid blockade for 11 weeks. Hundreds of aid distribution points across Gaza previously run by the U.N. were later reduced to four sites operated by GHF, where deadly incidents have been reported nearly daily.

The Israeli military acknowledges involvement in many of these incidents, often saying that soldiers fire warning shots or at individuals who appear to pose a threat or are in unauthorized areas. GHF says the attacks happen outside its distribution sites.

Press Release 
ISSI Celebrates Somalia’s Independence Day
July 01, 2025

The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East & Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with  Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR), organized an event to celebrate Somalia’s Independence  Day. The proceedings,  which began with the national anthems of Pakistan and Somalia,  were moderated by Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA. Speakers included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI; Mr. Yasin Mire Mohamud, Deputy Head of Mission of Somalia to Pakistan; Mr. Shahid Ali Seehar, Ambassador of Pakistan to Djibouti (accredited to Somalia); and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, President PAIDAR, and the Keynote Speaker was Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary (Africa), Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed praised the “blood-cemented solidarity” between Pakistan and Somalia, recalling Pakistan’s peacekeepers martyred in Mogadishu and military aid during the 1978 Ogaden conflict as proof that “Islamabad has always stood by Mogadishu in its hour of need.”He urged the Foreign Office to reopen Pakistan’s embassy in Mogadishu and pledged to lead a think tank delegation there. With both Pakistan and Somalia on the UN Security Council, he called for deeper cooperation in security, trade, and education, noting Pakistan hosts the largest cohort of Somali students worldwide. “Together we will build a better tomorrow,” he concluded.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, recalled the historic significance of July 1, 1960, when the union of British and Italian Somaliland gave birth to the Somali Republic, a landmark in Africa’s decolonisation and a symbol of the Somali people’s aspirations for freedom,  dignity and sovereignty.  Ambassador Sohail noted the longstanding Pakistan-Somalia ties rooted in mutual respect, shared faith, and people-to-people links, recalling that Pakistan was among the first to recognise Somalia’s independence. He also highlighted the invaluable services rendered by Pakistani peacekeepers in Somalia as part of Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and security, as well as Somalia’s security and stability.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood further highlighted strong educational ties, with a number of Somali students studying in Pakistan and now contributing significantly to efforts for national development in their homeland. Stressing the importance of trade and economic ties, he underscored the need to enhance the interface between business communities and chambers of commerce. He also noted shared positions at forums like the UN and OIC and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to deepen collaboration with Somalia under the ‘Engage Africa’ policy. Given Somalia’s strategic location, he said it plays a key role in regional peace and maritime security. He expressed ISSI’s readiness to expand academic and policy collaboration with Somali institutions and appreciated the support of the Africa Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PAIDAR.

Ambassador Hamid Asghar emphasized Africa’s vast untapped potential in trade, investment, and cooperation, urging Pakistan to deepen its engagement with the continent. He highlighted Somalia’s strategic location and stressed that peace and governance are key to its progress. Citing Pakistan’s support through NADRA’s ID project and peacekeeping efforts, he called for a Preferential Trade Agreement and joint ventures in sectors like pharmaceuticals, ports, and agriculture. He also appreciated the vibrant Somali community in Pakistan and proposed expanding scholarships and cooperation rooted in shared values and faith.

Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, marked Somalia’s Independence Day as a tribute to the resilience and pride of its people. She reaffirmed Africa’s central place in Pakistan’s ‘Engage Africa’ policy and CAMEA’s commitment to deepening ties with Somalia. Highlighting Pakistan’s historic support and shared positions at multilateral forums, she also acknowledged the vibrant Somali diaspora in Pakistan. She called for greater collaboration in trade, investment, training, and institutional development based on mutual respect and shared goals.

Mr. Yasin Mire Mohamud, Deputy Head of Mission of Somalia to Pakistan, described the occasion as a tribute to Somalia’s progress, built on the sacrifices of its forefathers. He highlighted recent advancements in governance, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as growing business and investment. He called the joint election of Somalia and Pakistan to the UN Security Council a shared milestone. Expressing gratitude, he recalled Pakistan’s vital support during Somalia’s civil war and its role in peacekeeping and diplomacy, including backing the lifting of the arms embargo in 2023. He affirmed Somalia’s resolve to build a secure and prosperous future.

Ambassador Shahid Ali Seehar extended warm greetings to the Somali nation and highlighted the historic and growing ties since Somalia’s independence in 1960. He noted the strong convergence of views, especially as both countries currently serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. He mentioned Pakistan’s support, including a US$14 million grant for Somalia’s National ID System and increased scholarships for Somali students. Appreciating Somalia’s backing at multilateral forums, he called for greater cooperation in counterterrorism, boosting trade beyond US$72 million, and exploring maritime connectivity.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, in his vote of thanks, stated that Pakistan has great love and affection for Somalia. He added that a large Somali diaspora is benefiting from Pakistan’s educational facilities. He affirmed that there are no impediments in Pakistan-Somalia relations and these are expected to grow significantly in the future.

Billionaire Elon Musk said on Monday that he would form a new political party in the United States if a Republican-leaning Congress passes President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”, which proposes tax breaks and funding cuts for healthcare and food programmes.

Musk has voiced criticism of the bill on multiple occasions over the past month and began suggesting the idea of the new party on social media starting early June.

Here is more about Musk’s reservations about the bill, and about his new proposed party.

What has Musk said about the America Party?

Musk has been saying that if the bill is passed, Republicans are no different from Democrats, who are often accused by conservatives of being profligate with spending taxpayers’ dollars.

The version of the bill that the Senate is discussing at the moment, if passed by both chambers of Congress, would expand the national debt by $3.3 trillion between 2025 and 2034. The current US national debt stands at more than $36 trillion.

“If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day,” Musk posted on his social media platform, X, on Monday.

“Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”

In an earlier post, Musk wrote: “It is obvious with the insane spending of this bill, which increases the debt ceiling by a record FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS that we live in a one-party country – the PORKY PIG PARTY!!”

The debt ceiling, set by the US Congress, determines the upper limit to the amount of money that the US Treasury can borrow. The current debt limit is $36.1 trillion.

Why does Musk oppose the bill?

Once a key aide and major campaign donor for Trump, Musk had a public online falling out with the president in June over his criticism of the bill.

On June 3, Musk wrote on X: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination.”

Musk alleged that Trump was linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein in a now-deleted post on X. However, Trump and Musk seemed to have reached a detente when Trump told reporters that he wished Musk well while the latter wrote on X on June 11 that he had gone “too far” in his criticism of the US president.

However, since then, Musk has argued in a series of online posts that the bill would increase the debt ceiling, “bankrupt America”, and “destroy millions of jobs in America”.

Musk owns the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla. The current version of the bill, with amendments made by the Senate, seeks to end the tax credit for purchases of EVs worth up to $7,500, starting on September 30. This could reduce the consumer demand for EVs in the US.

What is the America Party that Musk proposed?

On June 5, Musk posted a poll on his X account, asking his followers: “Is it time to create a new political party in America that actually represents the 80 percent in the middle?”

While social media polls are known to be nonrepresentative of broader public sentiment, 5.6 million people voted on the poll, and 80.4 percent responded with “yes”. Since then, Musk has repeatedly reposted the poll result, citing it as evidence that most Americans want a new party to be formed.

“Musk believes that 80 percent of Americans are unhappy with the two major parties and are not being represented,” Natasha Lindstaedt, a professor at the Department of Government, the University of Essex, told Al Jazeera.

While that number might not reflect the wider American public, it does point to a trend in the electorate; according to a Gallup poll from 2024, 43 percent of Americans identified as independent, 28 percent identified as Republican and 28 percent identified as Democrat. In other words, more Americans identify as independent than as either Democrat or Republican.

One of Musk’s followers replied to a post on X with an image with the text “America Party”. The world’s richest man responded: “‘America Party’ has a nice ring to it. The party that actually represents America!”

How real is Musk’s threat?

Experts say Musk, whose net worth is $363bn as of Monday according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, would realistically be able to fund a third party in the US. However, it is still unclear whether he would go ahead with his plan or whether his party would have a significant effect on US elections.

“Musk certainly has the financial power to back a third party that could be very disruptive to the Republican Party, but it’s not certain if Musk will take on this risk,” Lindstaedt said.

Lindstaedt recalled how earlier this month, Musk backed down from his criticism of Trump on X. “If we take him at his word, he could spend hundreds of millions on this project,” she added.

“Musk has been ramping up his criticism of the bill lately, and he may find specific legislators [particularly from the House] would be willing to defect if their constituencies are more negatively affected by Trump’s policies,” Lindstaedt said, referring to the House of Representatives. “He will also have the attention of fiscal hawks in particular.”

Lindstaedt added that among American voters, there is a “huge appetite” for a third party.

“The bill will leave the US spending hundreds of billions just in the interest, and the more Americans understand this, the more they may want to flock to something different. US public frustration with the traditional parties is at an all-time high, and Musk may be able to capitalise on this.”

However, Thomas Gift, an associate professor of political science in the UCL School of Public Policy in London, said it was unclear whether Musk is serious and suggested that the barriers to breaking the Republican-Democrat duopoly are hard to scale for anyone.

“This is Elon Musk bluffing,” he told Al Jazeera. “He knows as well as anyone that the power of party machines behind Democrats and Republicans is too much to surmount.”

Gift added that while forming a party is possible, “winning seats in Congress or the White House is another matter entirely”.

“At best, a third party will have little impact on US elections; at worst, it will play ‘spoiler’, taking votes from one of the two parties and de facto giving it to another.”

What has Trump said about Musk?

On Monday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, saying: “Elon Musk knew, long before he so strongly Endorsed me for President, that I was strongly against the EV Mandate. Electric cars are fine, but not everyone should be forced to own one.”

Trump added: “Without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.”

“Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” Trump wrote, referring to the Department of Government Efficiency, an advisory body aimed at boosting government efficiency and upgrading Information Technology, that Musk formed and led at the start of Trump’s second administration, before leaving on May 30.

Israeli forces killed at least 95 people in Gaza on Monday with air raids that left 39 dead at a seaside cafe and gunfire that killed Palestinians trying to get desperately needed food aid, witnesses and health officials said.

One air raid hit al-Baqa Cafe in Gaza City when it was crowded with women and children, said Ali Abu Ateila, who was inside at the time.

“Without warning, all of a sudden, a warplane hit the place, shaking it like an earthquake,” he said.

At least 39 people were killed and dozens were wounded, many critically.

Among the dead was journalist Ismail Abu Hatab, as well as women and children who had gathered at the cafe.

The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said more than 220 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.

The cafe, one of the few businesses to continue operating during the 20-month war, was a gathering spot for residents seeking internet access and a place to charge their phones.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Getty Images

BANGKOK — The Constitutional Court’s suspension of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has raised questions about whether her family’s political comeback last year would end with another downfall.

Paetongtarn was the third prime minister in her family, after her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a telecom billionaire who has been one of Thailand’s top political operators, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who was the country’s first female prime minister. Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and Yingluck by a court ruling in 2014.

Thaksin remained beloved after his ouster among voters who saw in him and his allies a government that looked after their interests. While campaigning in 2022, Paetongtarn acknowledged her family ties but insisted she was not her father’s proxy. “It’s not the shadow of my dad. I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions,” she said.

She also said she hoped her government would be able to “build opportunity and quality of life” and “make the country go forward.”

Paetongtarn was suspended Tuesday by the court pending an ethics investigation a leaked phone call with senior Cambodian leader Hun Sen that was perceived as damaging to Thailand’s interests and image.

Her critics have said Paetongtarn’s government has achieved little. Marriage equality became law but was initiated under her predecessor. Controls on cannabis were retightened after public backlash over decriminalization, but the move and its enforcement were called rushed and confusing.

Her critics also cited unsatisfactory outcomes in other Pheu Thai party policies, like unequal minimum wage increases, constant changes in a cash handout program and the stalled and controversial legalization of casinos. They also noted the lack of progress in tariffs talks with the United States.

But analysts see the leaked call following border tensions with Cambodia to be the most disastrous event by far.

The outrage has centered on Paetongtarn’s comments about an outspoken Thai army commander and the perception that she was trying to appease Hun Sen.

Paetongtarn apologized but also denied that she had damaged the country. She ignored calls for her to resign or dissolve Parliament to take responsibility, which critics saw as an attempt by the Pheu Thai party to cling to power.

Napon Jatusripitak, a political science researcher at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said her response seemed “totally disconnected from political reality” and that the scandal has exposed “her leadership failures and fuels accusations that she prioritizes family interests over national welfare.”

Her father, Thaksin, is believed to be the key decision maker behind Pheu Thai, now led by Paetongtarn. Time and again, Thaksin-backed parties have prevailed in national elections but could not stay in office after legal rulings and destabilizing street protests engineered by Thaksin’s die-hard foes.

But in 2023, Thaksin alienated many of his old supporters with what looked like a self-serving deal with his former conservative opponents. It allowed his return from exile and his party to form the new government, while sidelining the progressive Move Forward Party, which finished first in a national election but was seen by the conservative establishment as a greater threat.

Now with the current crisis, things could drastically change for the Shinawatra family.

“In light of the recent controversy, the Shinawatra spell has been broken. The only viable Shinawatra scion is now tainted,” Napon said. “It would be an understatement to say that the Shinawatra name no longer guarantees electoral success.”

And not everything has been squared away with her family’s enemies. Yingluck remains in exile, and legal problems — arguably politically inspired — could send her to prison if she returns to Thailand. Thaksin also still faces some legal challenges.

Thailand’s royalist establishment has long been disturbed that Thaksin’s populist policies appeared to threaten their status and that of the monarchy at the heart of Thai identity.

Paetongtarn now also faces protests by familiar faces from the same conservative, pro-royalist group that opposed her father.

“History seems to be repeating itself in a way. Thailand seems trapped in a depressingly familiar cycle where Shinawatra-led governments come to power, only to face mounting pressure from traditional power centers, street protests, and extraparliamentary interventions that ultimately force them from office,” Napon said.

Paetongtarn, 38, is the youngest of Thaksin’s three children. She was an executive in a hotel business run by her family before making her public entry into politics in 2021 when the Pheu Thai party named her to lead an advisory committee.

She has two children with her husband, Pitaka Suksawat, who was a commercial pilot before he began working in one of the Shinawatras’ real estate ventures.

Trump went on to suggest that the DOGE initiative, or Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk was instrumental in setting up, could be turned against the world’s richest man.

“No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this?” the president wrote. 

According to an estimate by the Washington Post, Musk and his businesses have received at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, subsidies and tax credits over the years. 

Trump and Musk started the year with effusive mutual praise and months of shared photo opportunities, before the relationship apparently soured last month over differences in opinion over government debt. The two now regularly goad each other online.

In response, Musk wrote on his own social media platform, X: “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.”

The latest social media fight follows Musk’s renewed criticism of Trump’s signature “big, beautiful bill,” which is currently struggling to gain enough Republican support to pass the Senate.

Musk says the bill will balloon the U.S. national debt. On Monday, he threatened to unseat lawmakers who campaigned on reducing the deficit but will vote for it. He has also floated the idea of starting a new party if the bill passes.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would increase federal deficits by about $2.4 trillion over the next decade.