Author: space4knews

At the United Nations General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions in Iran, Gaza, and the broader Middle East, declaring, ‘We will win.’ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressing via a video message, described the situation in Gaza as a ‘war of genocide’ and warned that the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank threatens the two-state solution. Protests against Netanyahu’s speech in New York led to the arrest of numerous individuals, including actresses Susan Sarandon and Hannah Einbinder.

October 9, Kathmandu – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a robust defense of Israeli military operations in Iran, Gaza, and other Middle Eastern areas during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Dozens of country representatives exited the assembly hall in protest during his address. After the delegates left, Netanyahu stated, ‘We will win. We have no other choice.’ He continued, ‘If there are any other men of conscience here, please leave now.’ Netanyahu also rejected allegations that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.

Earlier, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas spoke via a video message, highlighting that Israeli policies threaten the land and existence of the Palestinian people. Unable to secure a U.S. visa, Abbas delivered his address through a video link. He highlighted that the illegal expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank jeopardizes the two-state solution. Abbas accused Israeli forces in Gaza of waging a ‘war of killing, destruction, starvation, displacement, and genocide.’

Netanyahu sharply criticized countries and leaders opposing Israel. He targeted the United Kingdom and France, stating they were attempting to put the ‘small Israel on trial for colonialism.’ Addressing Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Netanyahu accused him of supporting Hamas and condemned him as a dictator. Erdoğan had earlier remarked on Tuesday that the injustices occurring in Gaza and the West Bank inflict ‘deep wounds on the conscience of humanity.’

Netanyahu also censured New York City’s progressive Mayor, Jumaane Williams, saying, ‘Since you became mayor, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York.’ Previously, Williams’ office had warned Netanyahu of making ‘baseless lies’ to cover up his alleged genocide.

Moreover, Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s ‘brave leadership’ during the joint airstrike on Iran in February of this year. He remarked, ‘Israel and America have worked together not only to protect themselves but to save civilization.’

In New York, protests against Netanyahu’s presence resulted in the detention of numerous demonstrators, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Emmy-winning actress Hannah Einbinder. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. According to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, over 73,920 people have died in Gaza since then. Last year, leading global genocide experts declared the Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide under United Nations conventions. Israel denies these claims, asserting that its operations are acts of self-defense.

On February 28, in response to concerns that Iran was secretly developing nuclear weapons, Israel and the United States conducted a joint airstrike on Iran. Subsequently, Iran retaliated by launching missile and drone attacks on Gulf countries hosting Israeli and American military bases.

During the United Nations General Assembly, the foreign ministers of Iran and Ukraine engaged in talks. According to Iranian state media, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held this meeting in New York. Tensions between the two countries had escalated after Ukraine attacked an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea in July. This marks the first meeting between the two foreign ministers since the incident. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that both sides discussed ways to address the issues related to the incident during the talks.

The Board of Peace, convened by US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session, has announced a short-term plan allocating $245 million for the reconstruction of Gaza. This funding is set to be expended over the next six months on 66 different initiatives, including housing, diesel fuel supply, electricity generation, and waste management. However, the board estimates that a total of approximately $7.14 billion will be required over the next decade for the complete rebuilding and sustainable development of Gaza. While commitments have been made for $1.8 billion in aid, only $28 million has been disbursed so far, highlighting a significant funding shortfall acknowledged by the board.
Jared Kushner, a member of the Gaza Executive Board, admitted delays in the project due to various challenges, emphasizing, “Our primary goal today is to demonstrate our full commitment to this work.” US envoy Steve Witkoff, attending the meeting, claimed notable progress compared to last year, stating, “All hostages have returned home. Although the ceasefire remains incomplete, it is still in effect. Humanitarian efforts have achieved historic results.”
Key challenges facing the reconstruction plan include security concerns, bomb disposal, and destroying tunnels. In addition to securing funding, ensuring the safety of personnel working in Gaza, improving internal governance systems, and reaching agreements between Israeli and Palestinian authorities remain significant hurdles. At a separate press conference on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mark Rubio said that many countries have pledged financial support, and efforts are ongoing to involve additional nations. Michael Eisenberg, an Israeli-American member of the Board of Peace, clarified the preliminary phases before reconstruction can proceed: “Since Gaza remains a conflict zone, unexploded ordnance must first be cleared,” he explained. “Hundreds of kilometers of tunnels beneath Gaza must be demolished. Only then can Gazans begin rebuilding housing, sanitation, and other infrastructure.”
Former UK Prime Minister and board member Tony Blair commented during the meeting, “The responsibility on us is immense.” The ceasefire and political tension surfaced following the 20-point Gaza peace plan announced last September by US President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under which the Board of Peace was established. As part of the agreement, Hamas committed to releasing the remaining 48 hostages and transferring governance of Gaza to Palestinian technocrats. In July, Hamas agreed to disarm if Israel ceased all attacks and withdrew its forces; however, Netanyahu rejected this offer, stating that Israeli troops would remain in Gaza until Hamas was fully disarmed.
Despite the ceasefire brokered with US mediation, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 1,000 Palestinian deaths due to Israeli attacks, including 300 children. According to the Israeli military, five soldiers and one contractor have died during the same period. In August, senior Board of Peace official Nickolay Mladenov warned that continued Israeli airstrikes and Hamas activities threatened to break the ceasefire, potentially marking an “irreversible point” for the region. Initially established to foster peace in Gaza, the Board of Peace has since expanded its mandate to address conflicts worldwide.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed their commitment to advancing cooperation in US-China relations. During an event at the White House, both leaders presented written statements and refrained from answering reporters’ questions directly. Trump recalled the long-standing and deep relationship between the two countries, highlighting the cooperation during World War II. He claimed that their collaboration has achieved significant progress. Without mentioning the tensions that arose during his second term, Trump described his relationship with Xi as a great friendship.

According to Trump, both nations are working towards establishing a more balanced trade relationship. He also shared that discussions would cover topics such as security, technology, and artificial intelligence (AI). Xi also expressed his commitment to continued cooperation with Trump, stating, “We want to sustain our friendship, expand cooperation, and promote the well-being of the peoples of both countries.” In the context of current global changes, Xi emphasized the historic responsibility the US and China share to advance human development and progress. He assured that both countries wish to keep the development of artificial intelligence under human control and ensure it serves the welfare of their populations. Furthermore, Xi revealed plans to invite approximately 100,000 American youths to visit, exchange, and study in China over the next five years. He also mentioned that China is preparing to provide two additional pandas to the Atlanta Zoo in the United States.

Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the United States and China must jointly take responsibility to ensure the safe development of artificial intelligence (AI). Highlighting that the relationship between the US and China is based on strategic stability, Xi stated that both nations have a historic duty to uphold. “China and the United States are both leading countries in the field of artificial intelligence,” he said during high-level talks with US President Donald Trump at the White House. “It is our mutual responsibility to develop AI for the benefit of humanity and to manage it properly.”

Xi also stressed that the development of AI must always remain under human control and focus on the welfare of people. Prior to the dialogue between Trump and Xi, indications emerged that both countries would continue existing regulatory policies concerning AI. Meanwhile, industry leaders have been urging caution regarding the potential risks associated with the rapid advancement of AI technology.

First Lady Melania Trump has revealed the menu for the state dinner held in honor of Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to the White House, the menu blends American ingredients with subtle Chinese culinary influences. This approach reflects an effort to showcase the culinary traditions of both nations on a single table.

The dinner will begin with a toast titled ‘With a Toast of Scramburg (Blank de Noir),’ commemorating the 1972 “Toast to Peace” ceremony between then-US President Richard Nixon and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai in Beijing. The first course features yellow thistle velvet wild mushroom fricassee, crispy pancetta, and green onion oil. The second course includes sesame-crusted sea bass, braised baby bok choy, and roasted garden eggplant served with sauce verte. Dessert consists of vanilla cremu with White House honey ice cream, walnut frangipane, and sour cherry confit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived at the White House for high-level meetings with US President Donald Trump. Throughout the day, various meetings and programs are scheduled to manage the sensitive relationship between the world’s two major powers. Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan arrived at the White House in a black official car. They were welcomed on the red carpet by President Trump and his wife Melania. During the event, music played by the US Marine Corps band added a special atmosphere to the White House.

Upon arriving at the White House, Xi shook hands with Trump for photographs. Afterward, the four of them posed for pictures between soldiers bearing the American and Chinese flags before entering the White House. There appeared to be little conversation during this moment. Once inside, Trump spoke, saying, “Melania and I are honored to welcome you to Washington,” and added, “President Xi is the first Chinese leader to make a formal state visit to the United States for a second time.”

October 8, New York (AP) — A U.S. federal judge has issued an order temporarily blocking the Trump administration’s ban on CNN, MSNBC, and Politico journalists from entering the White House, directing that their access be reinstated. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, will remain in effect for 14 days. He noted that the media outlets have met the necessary legal criteria for obtaining a temporary restraining order, highlighting that the ban could cause irreparable harm to the media organizations.

All three media outlets had claimed they were targeted due to the subject matter of their reporting, arguing that the ban violated their First Amendment right to press freedom under the U.S. Constitution. Judge Kelly also questioned whether the administration followed proper legal procedures before denying the journalists entry. President Trump had imposed the ban, accusing the outlets of disseminating “fake news.” However, the administration maintained that the restrictions were based not on content but on reasons related to national security.

During the hearing, media attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr. argued that cutting off access during critical news moments would cause irreparable damage. Government attorney Michael Belchik countered, emphasizing that the decision over who may enter the White House rests with the president, stating, “Access to the White House is a privilege, not a right.” President Trump appointed Judge Kelly as a federal judge in 2017. Previously, Judge Kelly had also ordered the reinstatement of White House access for CNN journalist Jim Acosta.