World
At least 50 people killed in Israeli strikes on homes, camps in Gaza
At least 50 people have been killed in Israeli air strikes across Gaza, Palestinian medics say, as Israeli tanks push into northern parts of the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza.
Medics said at least 20 people were killed and others wounded in an Israeli attack on Wednesday on a tent encampment in al-Mawasi near Khan Younis. The Palestinian Civil Defence said the attack set several tents housing displaced families ablaze.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said the death toll was expected to rise.
Patients who are in the hospital were “expected to lose their lives simply because there is no medical care, medical supplies and insufficient medical staff,” Mahmoud said.
“This is not the first time we’ve seen this happening. There’s a growing frustration among the displaced population in the al-Mawasi evacuation zone,” he said. “The Israeli military ordered them in the initial weeks of this genocidal war to evacuate in order to avoid being bombed, but they repeatedly find themselves the victims of these unpredictable attacks.”
At least 10 people were killed in an Israeli air strike that hit three houses in Gaza City, the Civil Defence said. Many victims were still trapped under the rubble with rescue operations under way.
Medics said 11 people were killed in three air strikes on areas in central Gaza, including six children and a medic. Five of the dead had been queueing outside a bakery, they said.
A further nine Palestinians were killed by tank fire in Rafah near the border with Egypt, medics said.
‘Extremely urgent’
Israeli forces also fired on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza for the fifth straight day, hospital Director Hussam Abu Safiya said. Three of his medical staff had been wounded, one critically, on Tuesday night, he said.
“Drones are dropping bombs filled with shrapnel that injure anyone that dares to move,” Abu Safiya said. “This situation is extremely urgent.”
He said more than 100 patients inside the besieged hospital are at risk of death and Israeli forces are preventing access to the nearby al-Awda Hospital.
Residents in the north’s main three towns – Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoon – said Israeli forces have blown up dozens of houses.
Palestinians said Israel’s army is trying to drive people out of the northern edge of Gaza by issuing threats that if residents do not flee, they risk death and by carrying out bombardments to create a buffer zone. The Israeli military has besieged the area since it began a renewed ground offensive there nearly two months ago.
The siege has worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis amid a looming famine.
Hamas said the bombings of homes in Beit Lahiya and the targeting of Kamal Adwan Hospital are “an insistence on the ongoing war” and “genocide” in Gaza.
The group said in a statement that Israel is showing it plans to keep disregarding international law “in light of the shameful failure of the international system to put an end to these horrific crimes”.
Hamas said Israeli actions “are carried out under the full cover and protection of the American administration and some Western capitals”.
In the Khan Younis area, residents told the Reuters news agency that Israeli tanks advanced a day after the military issued new evacuation threats, saying there had been rocket launches by Palestinian groups from the area.
With shells crashing near residential areas, families left their homes on Wednesday and headed westwards towards al-Mawasi, which was designated by the Israeli military as a “safe zone” but has since repeatedly come under attack.
Palestinian and United Nations officials said there are no safe areas left in Gaza and almost all of its 2.3 million residents have been displaced multiple times.
Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 44,500 Palestinians, injured many others and reduced much of the enclave to rubble since it began in October last year.
Israel agreed to a ceasefire with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah last week that has halted most fighting in a conflict that has unfolded in Lebanon in parallel with the Gaza war.
But the war in Gaza has ground on with only a single ceasefire more than a year ago that lasted for one week.
World
France's Macron to appoint new PM 'in coming days' and vows to stay on
Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation after lawmakers voted to oust the government this week.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he will appoint a new prime minister “in the coming days” and vowed to finish his term following the government’s collapse.
Macron reiterated that he still has 30 months as president amid calls for his resignation following a no-confidence vote against the government in the lower house of parliament.
“The mandate that you have democratically entrusted to me is a five-year mandate, and I will exercise it fully until its end,” the president said, adding that he is responsible for the functioning of the institutions and country.
Macron also hit out at the political parties that voted to topple the government in a no-confidence vote on Wednesday, rejecting claims that he was responsible for what’s quickly become a political crisis.
“I know that some people are tempted to hold me responsible for this situation… but I will never take responsibility (for the actions) of others, and in particular of the lawmakers who consciously chose to bring down the budget and the government of France a few days before Christmas,” Macron said, adding that MPs on the far right and left chose to create “disorder”.
French president defends earlier decision to hold snap elections
The French president defended his call for snap elections in June and July this year after the European elections, calling the decision “inevitable” after the far-right National Rally topped the poll.
Macron added this decision was “not understood” and that he was aware many have criticised him for it, but he said the action gave the people “back their voice,” which he saw as necessary.
The leftist coalition the New Popular Front (NFP) came first in the second round of those legislative elections, but without an absolute majority.
Left-wing lawmakers had called on Macron to appoint their pick for prime minister, civil servant Lucie Castets, but he instead appointed former EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier a mere three months ago.
“No party, no coalition presented to the voters can claim to have the majority,” Macron said on Thursday.
“This situation requires a new political organisation. It is unprecedented, but that is how it is,” he added.
What next?
Macron said that he will take responsibility for forming a government that represents the political forces, adding that the new prime minister “will form a streamlined government at your service”.
A temporary law will be tabled in mid-December to allow for the continuity of public services, the president said, adding that he hoped a majority would pass it.
A new budget will then be the priority of the next government and prepared at the beginning of next year, he said.
World
Triptii Dimri Tops IMDb’s 2024 Most Popular Indian Stars List (EXCLUSIVE)
Rising star Triptii Dimri has secured the No. 1 spot on IMDb‘s Most Popular Indian Stars of 2024 ranking, with Deepika Padukone following at No. 2. The annual list, which tracks actual page views from IMDb’s 250 million monthly visitors worldwide, reflects both established performers and emerging talent in India’s entertainment sphere.
Dimri’s ascent comes on the heels of her appearances in three features this year: “Bad Newz,” “Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video,” and “Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.”
“It is indeed a huge honor to be ranked No. 1 on the IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars of 2024 list,” Dimri said. “This recognition is a testament to the incredible support of my fans and the hard work of everyone I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with.”
Industry veteran Deepika Padukone maintained strong viewer interest with three major releases, including her Telugu debut in “Kalki 2898 AD,” alongside “Fighter” and “Singham Again.”
Ishaan Khatter landed at No. 3, bolstered by his role in the international series “The Perfect Couple,” where he worked with Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.
The list features notable developments across India’s entertainment landscape. Sobhita Dhulipala (No. 5) marked her Hollywood entry with “Monkey Man” and took on dubbing duties for Padukone’s Telugu dialogue in “Kalki 2898 AD.” Sharvari (No. 6) delivered three releases – “Munjya,” “Maharaj,” and “Vedaa” – and received IMDb’s “Breakout Star” STARmeter Award.
Alia Bhatt (No. 9) maintained her presence on the list for the third consecutive year, producing and starring in “Jigra” while making her Paris Fashion Week debut.
The complete top 10 includes Shah Rukh Khan (No. 4), Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (No. 7), Samantha (No. 8), and Prabhas (No. 10).
“The IMDb Most Popular Indian Stars of 2024 list showcases the dynamic landscape of Indian entertainment,” said Yaminie Patodia, head of IMDb India. “Our annual list reflects the global audience’s evolving interests, highlighting how legendary stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continue to captivate fans alongside emerging talents such as Triptii Dimri and Sharvari.”
World
Voters want more US involvement on world stage despite isolationist talk, Ronald Reagan Institute survey finds
FIRST ON FOX: An overwhelming majority of Americans view foreign policy and national defense as being “somewhat” or “extremely” important to them, according to a new survey from the Ronald Reagan Institute that also weighed U.S. attitudes about rival nations and revealed which is viewed as posing the “greatest threat” to the country.
As Americans await another change in the White House while the Biden and Trump administrations prepare for the executive reshuffle, and uncertainty has set the tone for what the U.S.’s geopolitical future will look like amid increasingly volatile relations with nations like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, there is stark uniformity in the way Americans view the topic of national defense.
“Americans who cast their votes for different candidates share an unshakable core set of beliefs: the United States must lead on the world stage, backed by a strong military that can secure the peace through its strength,” the Ronald Reagan Institute said in a report first obtained by Fox News Digital detailing its 2024 National Defense Survey results.
US ‘SLEEPWALKING’ INTO WWIII, EXPERTS WARN NATION IS UNDERPREPARED: ‘WE DO NOT HAVE OUR CHURCHILL’
The survey’s results – which reflected the answers from some 2,500 questionnaires issued between Nov. 8-14 through telephone and online based platforms – not only highlight that U.S. security and foreign policy issues remain important topics, but they also indicated that the U.S. should take the lead in major international issues.
The opinion shows a divergence from the position frequently pushed by president-elect Donald Trump, who has long championed an “America first” policy, which some fear could isolate the U.S. during a geopolitically turbulent time as Russia’s aggression continues to ramp up in Europe, Iran remains a chief threat in the Middle East, and China continues to pose a threat politically, militarily and economically.
“I think it’s really interesting to compare some of the campaign rhetoric that we saw, frankly, from both candidates, and see where that is and is not resonating with the American people,” Rachael Hoff Policy Director at the Ronald Reagan Institute, told Fox News Digital in reference to both Trump and his previous campaign challenger Vice President Kamala Harris.
The survey also found that since the annual poll began six years ago, “a record high” number of Americans support “U.S. leadership and international engagement” with a strong support for a global military posture.
“This represents a significant 15-point increase since just last year and a steady upward trend from a low-point in the early 2020s,” the report said, noting that this shift was most prevalent among younger survey takers which saw a 32-point jump this year for those under the age of 30, along with a 19-point increase for those between the ages of 30 and 44.
WHAT DOES PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S WIN MEAN FOR US AMID WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA, UKRAINE?
The drive for more U.S. involvement abroad particularly in East Asia, which includes areas like China and the Korean peninsula, the Middle East and Europe reflects the growing concern Americans have over not only the burgeoning alliance between Russia, Iran, North Korea and China, but on whether the U.S. military can stand up to these nations.
While more than half of male survey takers, 59%, said they believe the U.S. could win a war against China, the female participants were more skeptical with only 45% expressing the same confidence, while 23% said they were unsure compared to 18% of male participants expressing the same.
More confidence in the U.S. military was displayed when asked if the U.S. could win a war against Russia, though again women signaled less confidence than their male peers, with 73% of male participants saying the U.S. would come out on top compared to only 56% of female survey takers.
While it remains unclear why female participants were less confident in the U.S. military, the majority of survey takers collectively agreed that China is the U.S.’s greatest threat, though Russia as the U.S.’s chief enemy.
TIRED OF UKRAINE? REMEMBER SOUTH VIETNAM
“One of the biggest trends that we’ve seen in the last three or four years in the poll is really the consensus growing that China is the is the greatest threat that we face – that’s really resonating with the American people, and it’s something that clearly we’ve heard on a bipartisan basis from national security leaders in Washington,” Hoff said. That doesn’t mean that Americans don’t perceive Russia, Iran, North Korea, or even the cooperation between those malign actors as a threat.
“In fact, one interesting takeaway from our poll this year is that 85% of Americans, a huge percentage…are concerned about the cooperation and collaboration between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, and we’re seeing that play out under the front lines in Ukraine,” Hoff added. “We’re seeing it play out in the Middle East and it’s something that Americans want our government to understand and to get after.”
Hoff explained that though the survey – which reflected information made clear in the lead up to and after the U.S. general election – showed Americans prioritize paying for domestic issues like healthcare, border security and social security above the military and foreign policy-based initiatives, national security and geopolitics remain a major issue for Americans.
“What we see from the poll across the board is that they don’t see foreign policy and national security as something that they want to divest from,” she said. “When asked to sort of put those in competition with each other, that’s where it gets really, really tough.
“But they clearly want their government to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” Hoff said. “The perception that there’s kind of a growing isolationist sentiment in this country really doesn’t bear out in the data.
“There’s a lot of rhetoric – whether you listen to the debates on Capitol Hill or the debates in the media – that would lead you to believe that the American people want to want the U.S. to do less in the world, that they want us to take a step back from international leadership. And it turns out, when you ask the American people, that’s simply not the case,” Hoff said.
“They want America to lead from a position of strength. They want us to have a strong military,” she continued. “They want us to stand up for the values of freedom and democracy around the world. And that’s true on a bipartisan basis among both Republicans and Democrats, those who voted for President Trump and has voted for Vice President Harris.”
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