Investigation: How Ethiopian authorities submit lists of 100,000 fake names, which they use to steal relief food
Some aid recipients in Ethiopia said they do sometimes sell some of their food rations, but out of desperation. “I got aid because I have health conditions,” said Leelity Gebreegizabher, a single mother of two in a camp in the town of Shire. “A local official helped me to get 15 kilos of food so that I could sell some of it to buy medicine.”
Investigation: WFP, US, state and military officials massive implicated in theft of relief food as hundreds of starving Ethiopians died in Tigray region
Some US officials privately accuse the UN food body of being untrustworthy. An internal WFP investigative report cites a May 2023 cable from Washington’s top US diplomat in Ethiopia at the time: “The scale and depth of diversion” in areas where the WFP managed food relief “calls into question WFP’s ability to be a faithful and principled” partner for distributing food in Ethiopia.
US presidential candidates scramble for Arab American votes in Michigan as Middle East burns
Michigan is one of three “blue wall” states that, along with Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, will help decide the election on November 5. Diverse voting blocs are key to winning virtually any swing state, but Michigan is unique with its significant Arab American population, which has been deeply frustrated by the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Christians allied to Trump brand Kamala Harris a ‘Jezebel spirit’ as religious nationalism rocks campaign
The term ‘Jezebl spirit’ has a long history of being used in the US against women, especially Black women. During times of slavery, the idea was used to justify the systemic sexual assault and rape of Black women and girls. It has been used in the past to target other women such as Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, and to categorise movements such as feminism, abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights.
Sinwar’s killing offers Israel opportunity to lock in strategic gains before US presidential election
US President Joe Biden is expected to use Yahya Sinwar’s killing to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to wind down the war in Gaza. But the Israeli leader may prefer to wait out the end of Biden’s term and take his chances with the next president, whether the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris or Republican rival Donald Trump, with whom Netanyahu has had close ties.
Harris deflects questions on Biden’s fitness, doubts Trump’s temperament and democracy credentials
Donald Trump and Republicans have claimed that immigrants are fuelling violent crime in the United States, although studies show immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than others. Asked about her recent comment that there was “not a thing” she would change about the actions of the Biden administration, Harris said, “Let me be very clear, my presidency will not be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency.”
US warns Israel to boost humanitarian aid into Gaza or risk losing weapons funding
For Israel to continue qualifying for foreign military financing, the level of aid getting into Gaza must increase to at least 350 trucks a day, Israel must institute additional humanitarian pauses and provide increased security for humanitarian sites, Austin and Blinken said in their letter. They said Israel had 30 days to respond to the requirements.
US piles pressure on Israel to improve Gaza humanitarian situation or risk military support
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin wrote to Israeli officials on Sunday demanding concrete measures to address the worsening situation in the Palestinian enclave amid a renewed Israeli offensive in northern Gaza, US officials said on Tuesday.
Israel strikes north Lebanon town kills 21 people as UN raises concerns over peacekeepers’ safety
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting a military base in central Israel where four soldiers were killed on Sunday by a Hezbollah drone strike, said Israel would continue to attack the Iran-backed movement “without mercy, everywhere in Lebanon – including Beirut”.
Suspect with loaded arrested near venue of Trump rally in California but deemed not a threat
Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him.
