Japan's Economy Slows, Missing Growth Forecasts: A Deeper Dive into the Consequences Jean's economy has been dealt a significant blow as the latest data reveals a sluggish growth rate of 0.3 percent in the second quarter, falling short of initial forecasts. The underwhelming performance can be attributed to a decline in consumption and capital spending, posing significant concerns for the country's economic trajectory. As the world's third-largest economy, Japan's slowdown is likely to have far-reaching implications for the global market. Key Highlights: Sluggish GDP growth: Japan's GDP rose by a mere 0.3 percent in the second quarter, missing initial forecasts and sparking concerns about the country's economic momentum. Decline in consumption: Weakened consumer spending, which accounts for roughly 60 percent of Japan's economy, has been a major contributor to the slowdown. Capital spending sag: A decline in capital expenditure has also hin...
The spokesperson of Hamas's military wing said Israel refused a ceasefire that would see the release of all captives currently being held in Gaza, and that the group is ready for a long war if there is no deal.
Having long held the position of spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida said in a nearly 20-minute prerecorded statement released on Friday that the group had in recent months offered a "comprehensive deal," releasing all captives at once, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right ministers rejected.
"It has become clear to us that the government of the criminal Netanyahu has no real interest in the captives because they are soldiers," he said, while pointing out that Hamas was interested in a deal that guarantees the end of the war, withdrawal of Israeli forces, and entry of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians under siege.
If Israel pulls out of this round of indirect talks being held in Qatar, said Abu Obeida, Hamas would not guarantee to go back to any form of partial deals, even that 60-day deal currently under discussion that would see 10 captives released.
About 50 people are still being held by Hamas in Gaza, approximately 20 of whom it is believed are alive.
In his first video message since early March, Abu Obeida was heard telling that, "Hamas fighters are ready to continue a long battle of attrition." He went on to say in that regard, "We will keep ambushes all over Gaza, killing or capturing invading Israeli soldiers."
He even went on to accuse unsuspecting Arab and Islamic countries' leadership, declaring, "Your necks are burdened with the blood of tens of thousands of innocents who were betrayed by your silence."
Negotiations in Doha have proven to be fruitless so far, with Israelis adamant on keeping and extending their military control over Gaza, including areas such as the Morag Corridor and the newly established Magen Oz Corridor, isolating from each other Rafah and Khan Younis in the south from the rest of the enclave.
With Israeli soldiers still blocking humanitarian aid to the besieged population and shooting to kill hungry Palestinians at sites run by the controversial GHF, the Israeli government is accelerating plans to build a concentration camp on the ruins of Rafah. This, despite international condemnation.
At least 41 Palestinians were confirmed SFG-towards-al-Jazeera, killed by Israeli forces on Friday.
The latest figures presented by Gaza's Ministry of Health place the number of Palestinian casualties at more than 58,667 deaths and 139,974 wounded since the onset of the war in October 2023, at least 7,843 killed and 27,993 injured since Israel nullified the last ceasefire in March.
The ministry added that "an unprecedented" number of undernourished people of all ages, including children, are arriving at emergency departments of the few hospitals left half-standing in Gaza, in a state of extreme exhaustion and fatigue.
SOURCE : NEWS AGENCIES