Biden says US will support Israel against Hamas, condemns Palestinian group - The Straits Times

TEL AVIV – US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that Washington would provide Israel with everything it needs to defend itself as it wages war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Mr Biden landed in Israel on Wednesday and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The US President said Hamas was worse than the Islamic State militant group for its killings of Israeli civilians in an attack on Oct 7 which sparked the latest escalation of Israel-Palestinian violence.

Mr Biden said he was “sad and outraged” by an explosion at a hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday which Hamas said killed hundreds of people.

But he added it seems the “other team” was responsible, in reference to Palestinian militants.

Mr Biden said 31 Americans were among the more than 1,400 Israelis killed in Hamas’s Oct 7 attack.

Since that assault, Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip in a bid to annihilate Hamas, which rules the enclave. At least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of the Israeli military operation.

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2023-10-18 09:24:27Z
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Singaporeans advised to defer all travel to Lebanon amid volatile situation in region: MFA - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are advised to defer all travel to Lebanon, while those currently in the country should leave as soon as possible via commercial options, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday (Oct 18). 

Singaporeans who choose to remain in Lebanon should remain vigilant, monitor local developments closely and heed the advice of the Lebanese government, said the ministry in a travel advisory, which noted "the volatile situation in the region".

"Singaporeans should also avoid travel to the Lebanon-Israel border areas, as well as avoid protests and large gatherings," MFA added.

MFA on Oct 10 advised Singaporeans living in Israel and the Palestinian Territories to leave as soon as possible via commercial options. It previously said Singaporeans should avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Israel’s borders with the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria. 

Militant group Hamas on Oct 7 launched a surprise attack against Israel, the biggest in 50 years, and leaving more than 1,000 dead. Israel has since pounded Gaza with repeated air strikes, leaving at least 3,000 killed in Gaza, with the spiralling violence threatening a major new Middle East war.

On Tuesday, a strike killed hundreds of people at a Gaza hospital, marking the bloodiest single incident in the enclave during the current cycle of violence. Palestinian authorities and the Israeli military have blamed each other for the strike. 

There have also been clashes along Israel's border with Lebanon -  the deadliest in the Lebanon border area since a 2006 war between Israel and Shiite militant group Hezbollah.

Singapore has strongly condemned the attack by Palestinian militants on Israel, calling for an immediate end to the violence. 

Singaporeans are strongly encouraged to e-register with MFA so that the ministry can contact them should the need arise. 

Those who require consular assistance while in Lebanon may contact the Singapore Honorary Consulate-General in Beirut or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office (24 hours) at:

Honorary Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Beirut
Address: Center Sofil, Charles Malek Avenue
Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon P.O. Box 166730

Telephone: +961-1-334-335, 200-786, 200-787
Email: singaporeconsulate [at] cyberia.net.lb

MFA Duty Office 
Tel: +65 6379 8800/8855
Fax: +65 6476 7302
Email: mfa_duty_officer [at] mfa.gov.sg

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2023-10-18 08:17:00Z
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As it happened: Xi Jinping unveiled new action plan for Belt and Road Initiative, Vladimir Putin gave first international address since Ukraine war - South China Morning Post

This blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing.

Representatives from 140 countries and 30 global organisations are attending the forum, which marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative. Among them is Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, who will speak after Xi, as well as leaders and businesspeople from across the developing world.

The forum is also intended to position China as a leader among less developed countries and as a global power.

This blog has now closed.

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2023-10-18 03:20:01Z
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Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Hamas: PM Anwar - CNA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday (Oct 16), amid widespread outrage over this month's deadly attack on southern Israel.

Western and European countries have repeatedly asked Malaysia to condemn Hamas in meetings, Anwar said, without providing details.

"I said that we, as a policy, have a relationship with Hamas from before and this will continue," Anwar told parliament.

"As such, we don't agree with their pressuring attitude, as Hamas too won in Gaza freely through elections and Gazans chose them to lead."

Muslim-majority Malaysia has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and has advocated for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. It does not have a diplomatic relation with Israel.

Top Hamas leaders in the past have often visited Malaysia and met with its premiers. Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak in 2013 defied Israel's blockade on Gaza, crossing into the Palestinian enclave following an invitation from Hamas.

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2023-10-16 07:53:00Z
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Anwar: 'The West's hypocrisy must end, expedite urgent action for Palestine' - New Straits Times

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Anwar: 'The West's hypocrisy must end, expedite urgent action for Palestine'  New Straits TimesView Full coverage on Google News
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2023-10-16 04:54:34Z
CBMicWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm5zdC5jb20ubXkvbmV3cy9uYXRpb24vMjAyMy8xMC85Njc2MzAvYW53YXItd2VzdHMtaHlwb2NyaXN5LW11c3QtZW5kLWV4cGVkaXRlLXVyZ2VudC1hY3Rpb24tcGFsZXN0aW5l0gF1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnN0LmNvbS5teS9hbXAvbmV3cy9uYXRpb24vMjAyMy8xMC85Njc2MzAvYW53YXItd2VzdHMtaHlwb2NyaXN5LW11c3QtZW5kLWV4cGVkaXRlLXVyZ2VudC1hY3Rpb24tcGFsZXN0aW5l

Ecuador elects centre-right business heir Daniel Noboa as president - Financial Times

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2023-10-16 02:04:06Z
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Singapore's Chief Rabbi, Mufti reaffirm solidarity between communities amid 'senseless' Israel-Hamas war - CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Chief Rabbi and Mufti have exchanged letters reaffirming the solidarity between the country's Jewish and Muslim communities amid the Israel-Hamas war. 

In a letter to Chief Rabbi Mordechai Abergel on Friday (Oct 13), Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir wrote: "We read with deep sadness, worry and grief, the escalation of conflict and violence affecting Jews and Muslims in Israel and Palestine.

"We fear for, and mourn the loss of innocent lives; young children, mothers, the elderly and vulnerable, who are trapped and victimised in this conflict.

"There is no place and no justification for any form of violence and brutality on civilians by anyone, including those by Hamas, or in any retaliatory response. The right of civilians to live peacefully must be protected at all times."

While he noted that the conflict in the region has a long and complex history, Dr Nazirudin said that both Jewish and Islamic scriptures emphasise the human need for mercy and compassion. 

He added that it was this quality that ensures each community has the basic right to practise their beliefs and to live peacefully in this world. 

"If these fundamental rights are under threat, it will almost certainly unleash enmity and conflict," Dr Nazirudin said.

"And the greatest victim and loss in wars and conflicts is humanity itself, when it loses its character of care, concern and compassion for the well-being of others."

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2023-10-15 10:55:00Z
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