Rorisang Modiba presents the latest news around the world.
Israel – Israel is considering its options in response to Iran’s recent attacks, considering both military and diplomatic strategies. The planned military operation in Gaza has been postponed due to the Iranian attacks. Negotiations with Hamas have also hit an obstacle. Hamas has significantly reduced the number of hostages it’s willing to release in the initial phase of a ceasefire deal, complicating the ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Australia – In Sydney, a bishop and a priest were stabbed during a service at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in what police are calling a “terrorist act”. Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was speaking over a service that was being live-streamed when he was attacked with a knife. Church members and members of the public helped to restrain the attacker until police arrived. The suspect, a 16-year-old boy was arrested and taken to hospital for surgery due to injuries from the incident. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb indicated that the attack was planned. This incident comes just days after a separate mass stabbing in a Sydney shopping mall.
Nigeria – Nigeria’s annual inflation rate reached a 30-year high of 33.2% in March, increasing by 1.5% from February, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. The spike is largely driven by rising food and energy costs. The strengthening of the naira against the US dollar hasn’t as yet impacted the prices of goods and services. Efforts by the Central Bank to control inflation through higher borrowing rates have not been successful.
Sudan – The humanitarian situation in Sudan is worsening, with Islamic Relief emphasising the approaching risk of mass famine that could severely affect millions, including a significant number of young children. Over 8.4-million people have been displaced due to ongoing conflict, with particularly vulnerable groups including 2-million children under the age of five as noted by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Despite the urgent need for aid, the international community’s response has been lukewarm, with only 5% of the necessary funds for the 2024 humanitarian response plan having been secured so far.
Pictured above: Israel President Isaac Herzog.
Image source: X
