Tuesday, June 8, 2021

*) Ontario Muslim family killed in anti-Islam hate crime We start in Canada, where a man rammed his truck into a Muslim family of five, killing four members. Ontario officials confirmed the family was targeted because they were Muslim. Ontario police identified the attacker as 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman. The extended family identified the deceased as Madiha Afzal, her husband Salman, their daughter Yumna, who was 15, and a 74-year-old grandmother. Their 9-year-old son Faez is in the hospital with serious injuries. *) Israeli police suspend right-wing march in occupied East Jerusalem Israeli police have cancelled a pro-settler march by Jewish ultranationalists in occupied East Jerusalem after warnings it could reignite tensions that led to an 11-day bombardment of Gaza in May. The parade celebrates Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, which remains illegal under international law. Prime Minister Netanyahu later asked the police to present him with a plan to ensure the contentious march can go ahead, local media reported. *) Russia withdraws from Open Skies Treaty President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that formalises Russia’s exit from the Open Skies arms control treaty. The Kremlin said the US decision to withdraw from the treaty, that allows for mutual aerial observation, compelled Russia to follow suit. The treaty was first proposed in 1955 by former US president Dwight Eisenhower to de-escalate Cold War tension. *) US approves controversial Alzheimer's drug, first for AD in 20 years The US has approved the first new drug for Alzheimer’s in nearly 20 years, ignoring warnings that the treatment does not help slow the disease. The FDA approved the drug from Biogen based on “reasonably likely” benefits to Alzheimer's patients. Biogen is expected to make billions off the drug, with shares on Monday closing up at $395.85 – their highest level in over six years. And finally ... *) France watchdog fines Google $267M for favouring own ads France’s competition regulator has fined