Brussels (AFP) – Two Swedish nationals were shot dead in Brussels in an attack the Belgian prime minister described as “terrorism”. In a video posted on social media, a man identifying himself as the attacker said “he was inspired by the Islamic State” (IS) extremist group, the spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office, Eric Van Duyse, said on the LN24 news channel. The suspect remains at large.
Arras (France) (AFP) – A candlelight vigil is held for a teacher stabbed to death last week in what the government called an Islamist terror attack, with the president urging a “ruthless” response to extremists. The national anti-terrorist prosecutor announced that it has opened an investigation.
Tel Aviv (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken leave after finishing their meeting in Tel Aviv. IMAGES
Tel Aviv (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads a meeting with security officials to assess the situation following the Hamas surprise assault. Israel has warned of a long but winning war against Hamas as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made his second visit within days to promise full support after a major attack. IMAGES
Rafah (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – Rockets are launched from Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, amid an ongoing exchange of fire between Israel and Hamas militants. IMAGES
Tel Aviv (AFP) – Sirens wail and sound of shelling is heard in Tel Aviv as a Hamas rocket passes overhead. Israel is preparing a ground invasion of Hamas-ruled Gaza after the militants’ October 7 attack and has been bombarding the blockaded territory for days, with civilians accounting for most victims on both sides. IMAGES
Cairo (AFP) – “As far as water, electricity and fuel are concerned, after 24 hours it will be a real catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip, warns the regional head of the United Nations’ World Health Organisation Ahmed al-Mandhari. The convoys of aid heading towards the war-torn Palestinian territory are currently stuck across the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.
Injīl (Afghanistan) (AFP) – A new magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolted western Afghanistan, killing two more in a region already hit by a series of potent quakes since October 7, which have caused the death of over 1,000 people.
Geneva (AFP) – The UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths says he will be heading to the Middle East on 17 October to try to help negotiate aid access to the besieged Gaza Strip. Israel has said there is no temporary truce to allow aid in or foreigners out of the heavily bombarded enclave, as fears grow over the dire humanitarian situation faced by millions of trapped Palestinians.
Bangkok (AFP) – Thailand is one of the world’s fastest ageing societies with more than 12 million people above the age of 60. They make up around 18% of the population, but with low incomes and insufficient government help, many seniors end up living in extreme poverty. “I have to borrow some money if I don’t have enough to buy milk. I have to take a loan,” says 75-year-old Chusri Kaewkhio who looks after her ill husband of the same age. By 2029, Thailand is expected to join a list of super-ageing societies where more than 20% of the population are older than 65.
