NETANYAHU DISCUSSES "TACTICAL PAUSES" IN GAZA, REJECTS WIDESPREAD CEASEFIRE

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel might entertain brief and tactical interruptions in the fighting in Gaza, aiming to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery or the release of hostages. He remains steadfast in his opposition to a comprehensive ceasefire, despite increasing international pressure. In an interview with a U.S. television network, Netanyahu expressed his belief that Israel would have to assume security responsibilities for the Palestinian enclave for an "indefinite period" following the conflict. When questioned about the possibility of humanitarian pauses in the fighting, a concept supported by the United States, Israel's primary ally, Netanyahu explained that a general ceasefire would impede his country's military efforts. He mentioned the potential for short and limited pauses, which have occurred previously, to enable the delivery of humanitarian supplies or the departure of individual hostages. Nevertheless, he ruled out the prospect of a comprehensive ceasefire. Both Israel and Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, have dismissed growing international demands for a ceasefire. Israel insists that Hamas release hostages taken during its incursion in southern Israel on October 7 before a ceasefire is considered. In response, Hamas has refused to release the hostages or halt hostilities while Gaza continues to be under attack. The health ministry in Gaza, under Hamas's administration, has reported over 10,022 Palestinian casualties, including 4,104 children. International organizations have voiced concerns about overwhelmed hospitals, dwindling food and clean water supplies, and inadequate aid deliveries. A joint statement from several United Nations bodies, including the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths, called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire after 30 days of conflict, declaring, "Enough is enough. This must stop now." Washington has been actively working to arrange temporary pauses in the fighting to facilitate humanitarian assistance. However, it shares Israel's apprehension that a full ceasefire could provide an opportunity for Hamas to regroup.

JUDGE REBUKES TRUMP DURING TESTIMONY IN FRAUD TRIAL: "THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL RALLY"

In a tense courtroom exchange on Monday, Donald Trump engaged in a series of disputes with the judge during his testimony in the New York civil fraud case that threatens his real estate business. New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron cautioned the former president to keep his responses concise, stating, "This is not a political rally." Engoron further urged Trump to answer questions directly without delivering speeches and requested his lawyer, Christopher Kise, to ensure Trump's cooperation.

As the first former U.S. president to testify as a defendant in a court case in over a century, Trump complained about the trial's perceived unfairness, describing it as a "crazy trial" orchestrated by Democrats. Trump, along with his sons Don Jr. and Eric, as well as other Trump Organization executives, faces allegations of inflating the value of their real estate assets significantly to secure more favorable bank loans and insurance terms. Under oath, Trump denied the accusations of fraudulent financial statements by the company, emphasizing that the banks paid little attention to them. He also asserted that the valuation of his real estate assets did not account for the value of the "Trump brand," a pivotal factor in his election as president.

BLINKEN WRAPS UP WEST ASIA TOUR IN TURKIYE WITH LITTLE SUCCESS ON PAUSE

US secretary of state Antony Blinken wrapped up a gruelling West Asia diplomatic tour on Monday in Turkiye after only limited success in efforts to forge a regional consensus on how best to ease civilian suffering in Gaza as Israel intensifies its war against Hamas.

In Ankara, Blinken met with foreign minister Hakan Fidan following a frantic weekend of travel that took him from Israel to Jordan, the occupied West Bank, Cyprus and Iraq, to build support for the Biden administration’s proposal for “humanitarian pauses” to Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza. “All of this is awork in progress,” Blinken said before leaving Turkiye. “We don’t obviously agree on everything, but there are common views on some of the imperatives.” Blinken did not meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has been highly critical of Israeli PM Netanyahu.

About 150 people rallied outside the US embassy in Ankara, carrying a large banner that read: “No to genocide!” It was the second day of protests denouncing Blinken’s visit.

HAMAS LAUNCHES 16 ROCKETS FROM LEBANON AT ISRAEL

Beirut : Hamas militants on Monday fired 16 rockets from Lebanon towards northern Israel, the Palestinian group’s armed wing announced, saying they targeted areas south of the Israeli coastal city of Haifa.

The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said the strikes came in response to Israel’s “massacres and its aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip”.

The Israeli army, meanwhile, reported about 30 projectiles had been fired at northern Israel from Lebanon, adding that it fired back at the direction they had been launched from.

Hamas, allied with Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah, has a number of fighters in south Lebanon and has previously claimed attacks on Israel from there. Tensions have run high at the border between Israel and Lebanon since the October 7 attack, with Hezbollah and Israel regularly exchanging attacks. Since October 7, at least 81 people have been killed on the Lebanese side in crossborder skirmishes, including 59 Hezbollah fighters. Six soldiers and two civilians have been killed on the Israeli side.

PUTIN TO STAY IN POWER PAST 2024, SAYS REPORT

Moscow : Vladimir Putin has decided to run in the March presidential election, a move that will keep him in power until least 2030, as the Kremlin chief feels he must steer Russia through the most perilous period in decades, six sources said.Putinhas already served as president for longer than any other Russian ruler since Josef Stalin, beating even Leonid Brezhnev’s 18-yeartenure.

Putin turned 71 on October 7. The sourcessaid that news of Putin’s decision had trickled down and that advisers were now preparing for the campaign and a Putinelection. For Putin, who opinion polls show enjoys approval ratings of 80% inside Russia, the election is a formality if he runs: with the support of the state, the state media and almost no mainstream public dis sent, he is certain to win.

“The decision has been made —he will run,” said one of the sources who has knowledge of planning. A choreographed hint is due to come within a few weeks, another source said, confirming a Kommersant newspaper report last month.

Another source, also acquainted with the Kremlin’s thinking, confirmed that a decision had been made and that Putin’s advisers were preparing for Putin’s participation. Three other sources said the decision had been made: Putin will run. “The world we look out upon is very dangerous,” said one of the sources. A foreign diplomatic source said Putin made the decision recently and that the announcement would come soon. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined tocomment.

SOUTH AFRICA TO RECALL ALL DIPLOMATS FROM ISRAEL DUE TO GAZA SITUATION

JOHANNESBURG: The South African government said on Monday it would recall all its diplomats from Israel to signal its concern over the Gaza situation. Pretoria also said the position of the Israeli Ambassador was becoming “more and more untenable”, accusing the envoy of making “disparaging remarks” about people criticising Israel.

MUSLIM PRAYER AT PARIS AIRPORT STIRS CONTROVERSY; GOVT. VOWS ‘FIRMNESS’

PARIS: Images of Muslim travellers in collective prayer at a French airport have caused controversy, with the government on Monday vowing ‘firmness’ and the airport operator describing the incident as regrettable. The pictures showed several travellers in the departure hall of the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris praying together.

AUSTRALIAN AND CHINESE LEADERS MEET IN BEIJING

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday on the first visit by an Australian leader to China in seven years as the two countries try to mend their tattered ties.

Chinese state media reported the meeting but did not provide details. The talks were expected to focus on trade as China has eased some of the restrictive steps it took. Mr. Albanese called for cooperation while emphasising that the two countries will continue to have differences.

CHINA URGES MYANMAR TO COOPERATE TO MAINTAIN STABILITY ON THE BORDER

China is calling on Myanmar to cooperate in preserving border stability following recent clashes between junta forces and insurgents. Last week, Myanmar's military aimed to restore order near the border after ethnic minority armies launched coordinated attacks on junta targets. Assistant Chinese Foreign Minister Nong Rong emphasized the importance of Myanmar's collaboration with China to safeguard Chinese border residents and personnel.

During his recent visit to Myanmar, Nong expressed China's support for reconciliation through dialogue and the restoration of stability. The conflict has trapped 162 Thai nationals in Myanmar. Myanmar has faced ongoing turmoil since the military coup in February 2021, with pro-democracy insurgents joining ethnic minority guerrillas in confronting junta forces.

While Western nations have condemned Myanmar's military and imposed sanctions, China, along with Russia, has supported the military leadership, advocating for respecting Myanmar's sovereignty. Nong also inspected a 793-km natural gas pipeline during his visit, part of China's Belt and Road infrastructure and energy network connecting Ramree Island in Myanmar to Ruili in China's Yunnan Province.

NOBEL LAUREATE ON HUNGER STRIKE IN IRAN PRISON

Dubai : A campaign urging Iran to free Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi said Monday that the activist has begun a hunger strike over the conditions of her imprisonment and the country’s requirement that women wear headscarves. The Free Narges Mohammadi campaign said she “through a message from Evin Prison has informed her family that she started a hunger strike several hours ago.” It said Mohammadi and her lawyer for weeks have sought her transfer to a specialist hospital for heart and lung care. It did not elaborate on what conditions Mohammadi suffered from, though it described her as receiving an echocardiogram.

Iranian state media did not acknowledge Mohammadi was on a hunger strike.

Mohammadi, 51, has kept up her activism despite numerous arrests and spending years behind bars.