*) Abbas names adviser Mohammed Mustafa as Palestine's PM

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has appointed Mohammed Mustafa as the new prime minister following Mohammed Shtayyeh's resignation.

Mustafa, a trusted economic adviser, faces the task of forming a new government amid Israel's war on Gaza.

At 69 years old, he is tasked with governing the occupied West Bank, while Hamas controls Gaza.

Mustafa's extensive experience in economic affairs and governance, including roles at the World Bank and advisory positions for Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is seen to shape his approach to addressing Palestinian Authority challenges.

*) Twin Israeli attacks kill 29 besieged Palestinians awaiting aid in Gaza

At least 29 Palestinians were killed in two separate attacks in Gaza while awaiting aid, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

In the first incident, eight Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on an aid distribution centre in Al Nuseirat camp.

Later, at least 21 people were killed and over 155 wounded by Israeli gunfire at a northern Gaza roundabout.

The Israeli military denied attacking aid centres, but residents reported ongoing aerial and ground bombardments, including in Rafah, where over a million displaced people are sheltering.

*) Chuck Schumer seeks Netanyahu's ouster

US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for the removal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, labelling him an "obstacle" to Middle East peace.

Schumer, the highest-ranking Jewish official in the US, criticised Netanyahu's alignment with far-right extremists and tolerance of civilian casualties in Gaza.

He urged Israel to hold new elections amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

The move reflects that the Biden administration is running out of patience with Netanyahu's government.

*) Azerbaijan is closer to ‘peace’ with Armenia than ever before

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has declared the nation's triumph of "historical justice" through the liberation of the Karabakh region from decades-long occupation, stressing significant progress towards peace with Armenia.

Speaking at a forum in Baku, Aliyev hailed the successes of the fall 2020 Karabakh war, asserting that the region is now closer to peace than ever before.

He highlighted the conflict's impact, including counter-terrorism operations and the seizure of $6 billion worth of weapons supplied to Armenia.

*) New climate commitments essential for global safety, prosperity: UN

UN climate chief Simon Stiell has issued a critical call for action, urging countries to produce ambitious new emissions-cutting pledges within a year.

Stressing the urgency, Stiell labelled these plans as crucial for ensuring global safety and prosperity, emphasising the need to prevent surpassing the 1.5°C warming limit.

In an open letter to nearly 200 nations in UN climate negotiations, Stiell highlighted the pivotal role of these pledges in safeguarding economies, national budgets and population well-being from worsening climate impacts.