Plight of Palestinian prisoners
There has been mounting concern about the lives of six hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as two of them suffer from serious health conditions. According to the relatives of Alaa Aaraj, he is at high risk of losing eyesight due to weeks of starvation. Another prisoner, Miqdad al-Qawasmi, is also in hospital after his health condition deteriorated. Both inmates have been on hunger strike for 95 and 112 days respectively. All the six prisoners are protesting against Israel’s so-called administrative detention policy and want an end to their indefinite imprisonment without charge or trial. Human rights and international organizations have warned that the health conditions of the six prisoners are deteriorating rapidly.
Foiled US seizure
The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has hailed naval forces for foiling a recent attempt by US forces to seize a tanker that was carrying Iranian oil in the Sea of Oman. Major General Hossein Salami thanked the Iranian forces for their prompt reaction, which proved they’re fully prepared to deal with any possible US action. Salami noted that the IRGC forces had foreseen the US move, and were therefore entirely ready to take action. General Salami says the encounter indicated that the Iranian people cannot be defeated. On October the 25th, the IRGC carried out a heliborne operation and secured the tanker. Naval forces then proceeded to steer the shipment to Iran’s territorial waters. The vessel has now been released following a court order.
Post-Brexit tensions
The UK-EU divorce deal still remains a hot mess. The British Brexit Minister says there is still an extremely wide gap between London and Brussels over post-deal trading arrangements.
David Frost said Britain’s only choice may be to unilaterally suspend parts of the Northern Ireland protocol. He also warned the European Union against what he called massive and disproportionate retaliation if London follows through with that decision. This, after Dublin warned that the UK could meet a robust European response if it suspends parts of the protocol. London wants an overhaul to the deal, citing difficulties in trade due to checks and customs on goods coming to Northern Ireland from the UK. The differences have raised fears of a rekindling of a dormant conflict as well as sparking a full-fledged trade war between London and Brussels.