Israel-Gaza conflict drives spike in journalism deaths
Why it matters: Since the conflict began with Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the vast majority of journalists killed globally (67%) have been in Israel, Lebanon and occupied Palestinian territories, per the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hill
9 minutes ago
- The Hill
Why in the world is Trump punishing Moldova with tariffs?
President Trump's tariff blasts continue. The White House released its latest list on July 31 and it is clear that no nation is safe — not allies, enemies, neighbors or distant lands. No menacing power escapes the vigilance of the president's team, ever alert to those 'ripping off' the United States of America. Case in point: Moldova. Dominating both sides of the Dniester River — well, one side actually — this Eastern European colossus of 2.3 million people (about the size of Houston) could inflict mortal damage on the American economy. In 2024 alone, the U.S. bought nearly $136 million (with an 'm') worth of goods from the Moldovans, whereas they bought only $51 million from us. With the U.S. economy valued at more than $30 trillion (with a 'T') we could probably only bear such abuse for … well, forever. In a July 9 letter to Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Trump made clear that America will not be bullied by Moldova any longer. He imposed a tariff of 25 percent on every bottle of wine or fruit juice the Moldovans force us to buy. Calling the deficit with Moldova a 'major threat to our Economy and, indeed, our National Security!' the president warned of even higher tariffs if Moldova retaliates or tries to send goods into the U.S. through transshipment. The letter accuses Moldova of taking advantage of us for 'many years.' Tariff rates are one of Trump's favorite weapons, employed under the dubious premise that the U.S. faces a trade deficit 'emergency.' The legality of such action aside — the Supreme Court has yet to rule — the president uses this weapon for a variety of non-economic goals. He has threatened Canada for indicating it might recognize a Palestinian state, and Brazil to try to save former President Jair Bolsonaro from prosecution. Moldova has committed no such offenses — at least none charged — but Trump wants trade with Moldova and a host of other countries to be based on 'reciprocity.' Whatever the precipitating dynamics, punishing Moldova for its involvement in international trade serves no reasonable Western security or broader policy interests. It undermines them. Sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, Moldova has a long history of not being a country. The people of this region, who were unwillingly traded between Romania and Russia for nearly a century, gained independence from a collapsing Soviet Union in 1991. With a population that is 75 percent Moldovan-Romanian, some within the Russian and Ukrainian minorities feared the country's absorption into neighboring Romania. During a brief internal war in 1992, Moscow positioned a 'peacekeeping force' on the eastern side of Dniester River to guard the self-proclaimed state of Transnistria — which is still there, not recognized even by Russia. This force is small, locally recruited and considered less than formidable. But it is part of a sustained campaign by Moscow to prevent Moldova from embracing the West. This same motive drove Vladimir Putin to unleash a brutal invasion and occupation of much larger Ukraine. If victorious there, he is unlikely to be more accommodating toward Moldova. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, and its elected leaders and population have been seeking stability. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Moldova applied to join the EU. It was quickly granted candidate status, and negotiations for membership began. In 2024, the country reelected pro-EU President Sandu and in a referendum enshrined the country's 'European course' in its constitution — despite massive Russian interference and disinformation. The EU has not been cowed by Moscow and developed a generous aid and development package. Most Moldovan goods enter the world's largest trading bloc duty-free, a policy that was further extended to agricultural products last month. Under President Biden, the U.S. had been similarly supportive, providing more than $400 million in military and humanitarian aid in part to help reduce the country's dependence on Russian gas. Trump sees no need for aid to Moldova, or indeed for most foreign assistance. Other moves supporting Trump's 'America First' orientation also penalize Moldova. Eliminating the U.S. Agency for International Development meant the loss of virtually all projects in Moldova — including for democracy promotion and economic and energy development. At the same time, cutting resources for election monitoring and an independent press leaves the field open for Russian interference. Such indifference, along with Trump's shifting attitude toward Ukraine and transactional foreign policy, leaves Moldova exposed. A study by the Stimson Center concluded, 'With a White House that seems increasingly eager to align its perspectives with Moscow at the expense of traditional allies, its willingness to support Moldova's democratic transformation in the face of Russian opposition is now uncertain.' Neighboring Romania, a member of both the EU and NATO, has a huge stake in the fate of Moldova. An intimidated or occupied satellite country — a second Belarus — on the Alliance's more than 400-mile border would dramatically change the strategic equation. This should get Washington's attention — at least of those willing to honor the American commitment to NATO. Preserving an independent and economically healthy Moldova thus serves European and American interests. Increasing the cost of doing business with the U.S. and damaging democratic efforts there does not. Supporting Moldova costs the U.S. very little. Excusing a tiny trade deficit to a strategically important democracy does not make Americans suckers. Helping Moldova does not require a military commitment. The country has been cooperating with NATO but is constitutionally neutral. Rather than punishing the country, the U.S. could and should offer support. This could be based on a view of the geopolitical map — or, even better, from an appreciation of a resilient people's desire for democratic choice. Ronald H. Linden is professor emeritus of political science at the University of Pittsburgh, where he directed the Center for European Studies and the Center for Russian and East European Studies.
Business Insider
10 minutes ago
- Business Insider
South African general's unapproved visit to Iran may signal complex US relations
The move, which did not receive government backing, has drawn sharp criticism from members of South Africa's governing coalition, who described the visit as ' reckless grandstanding.' The row comes as South Africa navigates tense relations with the US, which has taken exception to the country's ties with Iran, Russia, and its strong affiliation with BRICS. According to Iranian media outlet WANA News Agency, Iran's Chief of Staff, Major General Mousavi, condemned what he called the crimes of the Israeli regime in the region—particularly genocide in Gaza—and praised South Africa's decision to file and pursue a genocide case against Israel at the International Criminal Court. General Maphwanya noted that the two countries shared common goals and always stood ' alongside the oppressed and defenceless people of the world, ' according to the Iranian publication Tehran Times. He also criticised Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza, reiterating support for the Palestinian people and telling officials his visit ' carries a political message ' from Ramaphosa's administration as per The BBC The South African government, however, has denied authorising these comments. According to the South African Defence Department, the general's statement was 'unfortunate,' while the Foreign Affairs Ministry said they ' do not represent the government's official foreign policy stance.' President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, confirmed that the president was unaware of the trip and had not sanctioned it. ' The visit was ill-advised and, more so, the expectation is that the general should have been a lot more circumspect with the comments he makes,' Magwenya told reporters. The Democratic Alliance, a member of South Africa's governing coalition, called for General Maphwanya to be 'court-martialled.' The presidency also confirmed that President Ramaphosa intends to meet with the general to discuss the implications of what he called an 'ill-advised' trip. South Africa's waning U.S. relations South Africa's ties with Iran could likely be one of the issues that influenced President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs, even though they were officially justified by trade imbalances. Under Trump, US trade policy increasingly blended economic and geopolitical concerns, and Pretoria's growing engagement with Tehran through diplomatic and military discussions raised Washington's alarm. These interactions likely reinforced the perception that South Africa was aligning with a country at odds with key US strategic interests. While the visit has not yet directly altered bilateral relations, analysts warn that it could complicate South Africa's already delicate relationship with the United States, which has long expressed concerns over Pretoria's ties with Tehran and other contentious international partnerships. South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said in a statement that it had noted recent media reports on comments attributed to General Rudzani Maphwanya but stressed that the formulation and implementation of the country's foreign policy is the responsibility of the Presidency, supported by DIRCO. ' Consequently, any statements made by an individual or a department other than those mandated with foreign policy should not be misconstrued as the official position of the South African government. The remarks attributed to General Maphwanya, therefore, do not reflect the government's official foreign policy stance, ' it said.
CNN
34 minutes ago
- CNN
Why deleting your old photos could save water
Why deleting your old photos could save water The UK government is asking its citizens to delete old emails and photos to save water. CNN's Antoinette Radford explains why. 00:53 - Source: CNN Former Ukrainian FM explains what Putin's 'land swap' proposal means Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke with CNN's Christiane Amanpour about Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposed "land swap" with Ukraine ahead of the summit in Alaska between President Donald Trump and the Russian leader. 02:00 - Source: CNN Putin praises Trump for 'sincere' efforts to end war Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration's 'energetic and sincere' efforts to stop the war in Ukraine and hinted that Moscow and Washington could strike a deal on nuclear arms control during their summit on Friday in Alaska. 01:37 - Source: CNN Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners before Trump-Putin meeting 84 Ukrainian prisoners and 84 Russian servicemen were exchanged on Thursday, ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with President Donald Trump in Alaska. The exchange, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, included Ukrainian POWs held captive since 2014, according to Ukrainian officials. 01:26 - Source: CNN Zelensky arrives in Berlin ahead of Trump-Putin summit Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Berlin for high-level talks with European leaders and President Trump, just days before Trump's face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The virtual meeting is seen as a strategic move to shape Trump's stance ahead of the historic sit-down. 00:36 - Source: CNN Heavy rain shuts down airport in Mexico City Heavy rain on Sunday caused flooding and traffic disruptions in several areas of Mexico City. The rain forced suspension of activities at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City for the second time in a row on Tuesday, airport officials reported. 00:35 - Source: CNN Gaza's journalists who never quit Journalists in Gaza have continued reporting under extraordinary conditions—amid danger, displacement, hunger, and personal loss. With international media barred from entering, their work has been the world's only window into the war. Anas Al-Sharif, with Al Jazeera, was among those killed in a recent targeted attack. CNN Producer Abeer Salman reflects on the risks these journalists have taken and the stories they've reported on for the world to see. 02:30 - Source: CNN Can hockey help heal US-Russia relations? Ahead of Presidents Trump and Putin meeting in Alaska this week, Russian hockey stars tell CNN's Fred Pleitgen they hope sport could help bring the two nations -- and people -- closer. 01:38 - Source: CNN Journalists killed in targeted Israeli strike on Gaza Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif was killed in a targeted strike in Gaza on Sunday alongside multiple other journalists. The Israeli military accused Al-Sharif of leading a Hamas cell, an allegation Al-Sharif had previously denied. 01:50 - Source: CNN Australia will recognize Palestine in September Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia will recognize a Palestinian state at the General Assembly of the United Nations in September. Australia joins the UK, France and Canada in announcing plans to recognize a Palestinian state. The move leaves the US increasingly isolated from some of its closest allies in its defense of Israel's escalating military campaign that's decimated the besieged enclave after almost two years of war. 00:29 - Source: CNN Wildfires rage across Europe amid heatwaves Wildfires have been raging across Europe over the past few days, with several countries, such as Italy and Spain, experiencing severe heatwaves. 00:48 - Source: CNN Gazan boy struck and killed by falling aid A 14-year-old boy was killed by an airdropped aid package in Gaza on Saturday, according to Al-Awda hospital. The UN has warned that airdrops of aid are ineffective, expensive and dangerous in heavily populated areas. 01:30 - Source: CNN Hundreds arrested at Palestine Action protest In the UK, hundreds have been arrested by London police for protesting the British government's decision to ban the group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws. The group, which opposes weapons sales to Israel, is challenging the ban. Earlier, police had cautioned they would arrest anyone showing support for the proscribed group. CNN's Isobel Yeung reports. 01:26 - Source: CNN Ukrainians in Kyiv react to Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska As US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska to discuss a potential end to the war in Ukraine, residents in Kyiv told CNN how they felt about the meeting that, so far, excludes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 00:43 - Source: CNN Israelis protest Netanyahu's Gaza policies CNN's Matthew Chance is in Tel Aviv, where thousands of protesters are gathering to call on the Israeli government to end the war in Gaza 01:49 - Source: CNN Inside a military raid deep in Ecuador's gang territory CNN follows a military raid in Duran, Ecuador as they go door to door deep inside gang territory. Senior National Correspondent David Culver is with the authorities as they seize drugs, uncover explosive devices, and make a gruesome discovery. Watch 'Ecuador: The Narco Superhighway' on 'The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper' Sunday August 10 at 9pm ET on CNN. 01:55 - Source: CNN Ukrainians in Kyiv react to Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska As US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin prepare to meet in Alaska to discuss a potential end to the war in Ukraine, residents in Kyiv told CNN how they felt about the meeting that, so far, excludes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. 00:43 - Source: CNN Analysis: Why Alaska signals a slow defeat for Ukraine President Donald Trump said he'll be meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss a potential peace deal to end the war in Ukraine that could include 'some swapping of territories.' But as CNN's Nick Paton Walsh explains, the conditions around Friday's summit so wildly favor Moscow, it's hard to see how a deal emerges that does not eviscerate Ukraine. 01:18 - Source: CNN Zelensky rejects territorial concession with Russia Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video address after President Trump's announcement to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine is "ready to work together with President Trump," but quashed the idea of any territory concessions. 01:22 - Source: CNN Israel 'brutally determined' to capture Gaza in new escalation plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military escalation in Gaza, which he claims will capture the city and eliminate Hamas, brings doubtful Israeli citizens to the streets in protest. Palestinians in Gaza scramble for safety and brace for impact as the war intensifies. 02:33 - Source: CNN Balcony collapses in Gaza under weight of crowd scrambling for aid As Palestinians rushed toward an aid package airdropped in Gaza City, a balcony collapsed under the weight of the crowd. It is not clear how many people were injured in this incident. 00:41 - Source: CNN Palestinians and Israelis react to plan to take over Gaza City Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to take over Gaza City. The deadline for the first phase of the offensive is October 7, according to an Israeli source. Hear how Israelis and Palestinians have reacted to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans for occupation. 01:52 - Source: CNN
