UNICEF calls for ceasefire in Gaza as child deaths mount

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Monday called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as it announced at least 322 children have been killed with 609 injured over the past 10 days due to Israeli airstrikes and ground operations.

UNICEF said in its statement that most of the affected children were already displaced, taking shelter in makeshift tents or damaged homes amid the ongoing conflict.

In addition to the call of the ceasefire, the UN agency also emphasized the urgent need for the protection of civilians, including children, and humanitarian workers in Gaza.

Also on Monday, the Gaza-based health authorities said that at least 1,001 Palestinians have been killed and 2,359 others injured in Gaza since March 18.

Israel abruptly ended a two-month ceasefire with Hamas on March 18 by resuming bombing and ground operations in Gaza, increasing pressure on the group to free the remaining hostages in its captivity.

UNICEF calls for ceasefire in Gaza as child deaths mount

UNICEF calls for ceasefire in Gaza as child deaths mount

UNICEF calls for ceasefire in Gaza as child deaths mount

UNICEF calls for ceasefire in Gaza as child deaths mount

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's official visit to China signals a policy shift towards building a more pragmatic relationship between the two countries, according to a Canadian researcher.

Carney arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin an official visit to China through Saturday, which marks the first trip by a Canadian Prime Minister to the country in eight years.

Robert Hanlon, director and principal investigator of Canada and the Asia Pacific Policy Project (CAPPP) at Thompson Rivers University in British Columbia, told the China Global Television Network (CGTN) that Carney's visit indicates Canada is recalibrating its strategic perception of China, which could cement the foundation for the country's economic diversification efforts and boost the development of bilateral cooperation.

"I think it's a clear message that he has moved Canada's strategy to a much more pragmatic, interest-based, -focused relationship with our trading partners, moving away from values-based narratives that we might have heard on previous governments. Canada has spoken about moving from what the Prime Minister's Office is calling "from reliance to resilience", and that means diversifying our economies and our trade everywhere in the world. And so China being our second largest trading partner, it makes perfect sense for our PM to head to Beijing," he said.

The scholar also noted the huge cooperation potential between the two sides in economic and trade fields, citing Canada's efforts to step up shipments of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the planned construction of an oil pipeline in Alberta which aims to increase export access to Asian markets. "Canada and China both share tremendous economic opportunities together and so finding ways to enhance our exports. Canada specifically looking to build out its LNG and oil, kind of export market. We know Canada is a major producer of critical minerals and China is a buyer. And so there's a lot of synergy between that kind of those kind of markets," he said.

Canadian PM's visit to China paves way for more pragmatic trade ties: scholar