## Concern over Belarus-China military drills, near NATO border – DW – 07/13/2024

Authored by dw.com

Dubbed Eagle Assault 2024, the 11-day exercise will see troops practice night landings, overcome water obstacles and engage in urban combat drills.

The joint exercises follow Belarus joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic and defense organization led by Russia and China.

At first, the SCO was intended to address border disputes between the first five members.

Belarus and China first cooperated on military exercises in 2018 Image: Vayar military information agency/Belarusian Defence Ministry/Handout/REUTERS.

It may appear that this week's Chinese-Belarusian joint military exercises are a result of Belarus joining the SCO.

Matsukevich said Belarus' new SCO membership likely has little to do with the military exercises.

From 2016 to 2020, before popular protests began in Belarus, Minsk had maintained a dialogue with NATO and even invited observers to its maneuvers. »

### Argentina officially designates Hamas as a terrorist organization

Authored by jpost.com

Argentina has officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization on Friday, the Office of President Javier Milei announced.

"The Hamas group has been declared by the Argentinian state as a international terrorist organization," the statement reads.

Milei arrived to Israel earlier this year to show support for its war against Hamas, and stated that he would move the Argentinian embassy to Jerusalem. »

### Pritzker signs law banning health insurance companies’ ‘predatory tactics,’ including step therapy

Authored by apnews.com

The Democrat signed legislation codifying one of his top initiatives of last spring’s legislation session, the Healthcare Protection Act, which outlaws step therapy, prior authorization for mental health crises and junk insurance.

“For too long, insurance companies have used predatory tactics to make an extra dime at the expense of Illinois consumers,” Pritzker said.

“For too long, patients have (been) delayed or been denied medically necessary treatments because of profit-driver utilization management practices.”. »

### IOC announces Olympic Esports Games to be hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Authored by olympics.com

The duration of the partnership between the IOC and the Saudi NOC will be 12 years, with Olympic Esports Games held regularly.

“We are very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games, because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders.

The Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. »

### California high school biology final includes racist questions, targets students

Authored by ca.news.yahoo.com

A Luther Burbank High School freshman was surprised to read his full name included on a biology final.

This test question appeared on a Luther Burbank High School biology final in June 2024. »

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