Gaza Talks Resume, Nord Stream Suspect Identified, and WHO Declares Mpox Emergency
Cease-fire negotiations continue without Hamas, while a Ukrainian national is linked to Nord Stream explosions. WHO raises alarm over mpox spread in Africa, and a Russian court sentences a dual citizen for charity donation.
In recent developments, international mediators have resumed Gaza cease-fire talks without Hamas representatives, while investigations into the Nord Stream pipeline explosions have identified a potential suspect. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health emergency for mpox.
Negotiations for a cease-fire in Gaza continued in Doha, Qatar, with Israeli, U.S., Qatari, and Egyptian officials present. However, Hamas chose not to attend, stating they would only participate if new developments arose. The talks aim to implement a three-phase plan proposed by President Biden in May 2023, which includes hostage exchanges, Israeli withdrawal, and reconstruction efforts.
Hamas has accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of adding new conditions to prolong the conflict, while Netanyahu denies these claims. The proposed conditions include Israeli control of border crossings and security measures for returning Palestinians. As of August 2024, the Gaza Health Ministry reports over 40,000 casualties, predominantly women and children.
"Hamas believes the Israeli occupation is trying to buy time with more negotiations."
In a separate development, German authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian national suspected of involvement in the September 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions. The incident, which occurred in the Baltic Sea, one of the world's largest brackish water bodies, damaged the natural gas pipelines connecting Russia and Europe. Ukrainian officials have denied any involvement, attributing the attack to Russia.
The WHO has declared mpox, previously known as monkeypox, a public health emergency for the second time in two years. The current outbreak, primarily affecting African countries, has resulted in over 1,100 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo since January 2023. Despite requests for 4 million vaccine doses, Congo has yet to receive any, highlighting the challenges in addressing the spread of the virus.
In Russia, a court has sentenced Ksenia Karelina, a dual Russian-American citizen, to 12 years in prison for donating $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity. The donation was made on February 24, 2022, the day Russia invaded Ukraine. Karelina's lawyer is working to include her in a future prisoner exchange, following a significant U.S.-Russia swap on August 1, 2024.
Lastly, researchers have made a fascinating discovery about Stonehenge, the 4,000-5,000-year-old megalithic structure in England. The 6-ton "Altar Stone" at its center originated from Scotland, implying a remarkable 500-mile transportation feat in prehistoric times, before the invention of the wheel around 3500 BC.
