May 19, 2023

*) Palestinians protesting 'Flag March' face Israeli fire Israeli forces have fired tear gas and live bullets at Palestinians in occupied Gaza as they protested against a "flag march" in occupied Jerusalem. One Gaza resident was wounded in the protests against the annual event marking Israel's capture of Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Thousands of illegal Israeli settlers and far-right Israelis had gathered in occupied East Jerusalem, raising racist chants against Arabs and also storming Al Aqsa Mosque compound. *) Pakistan police outside Imran Khan's house Pakistani police have kept up their presence around the home of former prime minister Imran Khan as a deadline to hand over suspects allegedly sheltered inside expired. The siege and the authorities' demand for the suspects, wanted in violent protests over Khan's recent detention, have raised fears of renewed clashes. Khan had demanded a probe into the violence, but denied his supporters were behind it, instead accusing Pakistan's ruling party of trying to foment trouble between his supporters and the army. *) China unveils Central Asia development plan China's President Xi Jinping has unveiled an ambitious plan to help further modernise and develop Central Asia in an address at the China-Central Asia Summit. Xi said China stands ready to synergise development strategies with the five Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. He also urged the six countries to oppose external interference in their internal affairs and maintain a zero-tolerance stance against separatism and extremism. *) Scores killed in central Nigeria clashes More than 3,000 people have been displaced in central Nigeria after 85 people were killed in clashes between herders and farmers. The violence erupted on May 15th in several villages of Plateau State, an area which has struggled with ethnic and religious tensions for years. It was unclear what triggered this week's attacks in Mangu district, but tit-for-tat killings between herde