Author: ALJAZEERA

Beirut, Lebanon – Abbas Baalbaki, an environmental chemistry researcher at the American University in Beirut (AUB), has been looking at white phosphorous dropped by Israel onto Lebanese soil for nearly six months. Then, one day, a sample he and a colleague were looking at burst into flames. That should not have happened. The samples had been dropped over Kfar Kila on October 17 and collected on November 10 after it had rained in the area. They had been “spent” for nearly a month by the time Baalbaki tested them. He had read all the literature on white phosphorous and taken…

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to vote on a draft ceasefire resolution at 10am New York time.Here’s how things stand on Monday, March 25, 2024: Fighting and humanitarian crisis Israel said on Sunday it has killed dozens of fighters and arrested 450 in the week-old operation in and around al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, adding that it located military equipment and infrastructure in the area. The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas fighters have barricaded themselves inside al-Shifa Hospital and are throwing explosives from inside the maternity ward and emergency room. Al Jazeera could not independently verify the…

More than 133 people have been killed and more than 100 others were injured following a brazen attack on concertgoers at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall before a performance by a Soviet-era rock band on Friday. Assailants dressed in camouflage uniforms opened fire and reportedly threw explosive devices inside the concert venue, which was left in flames with its roof collapsing after the deadly attack. Eleven people had been detained, including four people directly involved in the armed assault, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported on Saturday. ISIL’s Afghan branch – also known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K)…

The US vice president said that it would be a ‘huge mistake’ to move into Rafah with any type of major military operation.Israel could face “consequences” if it launches a ground assault on the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, the US vice president has warned. Vice President Kamala Harris said in an interview that aired on Sunday that it would be a “huge mistake” for the Israeli military to move on the city. The comments appear to underscore the continued strain in relations between Washington and Tel Aviv as the latter’s war in Gaza continues. The United States and…

Members reject text drafted by the US in advance of another vote.The United Nations Security Council has failed to pass a United States-drafted resolution recognising the need for a ceasefire in Gaza. It was the first time the Americans had used such strong language, but it was not enough for Russia, China and Algeria. They rejected the text because it did not demand an immediate ceasefire and because it tied any pause in hostilities to the release of all Israeli captives. Another draft is due to be tabled on Monday, this time with stronger language. But can Council members overcome…

Authorities in Gaza said 23 people were also injured while waiting for bags of flour and aid near Kuwait Roundabout.At least 19 Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli attack targeting civilians who were waiting for aid southeast of Gaza City, Gaza’s Ministry of Health and its Media Office said. “The Israeli occupation commits a massacre, killing 19 and injuring 23 civilians while thousands of citizens were waiting for flour and aid near Al-Kuwait roundabout,” Gaza’s media office said in a statement on Saturday. It said that the Israeli army and tanks opened fire with machine guns “towards the hungry…

UK leader says investment is vital in ‘more dangerous and contested world.’United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce plans to invest 200 million pounds ($252m) in the country’s nuclear deterrent and civil nuclear industry. Sunak will on Monday announce a “national endeavour” to secure the future of the nuclear submarine-building and nuclear energy industries, creating 40,000 jobs in the process, the prime minister’s office said in a statement on Sunday. Under the plan, the government will create a fund for the northern England town of Barrow-in-Furness to help support people taking up jobs, improve transport links and…

Israeli warplanes pound southern Gaza as mediation efforts to end Israel’s war on the Palestinian enclave appear to be stalling.Here’s how things stand on Sunday, March 24, 2024: Fighting and humanitarian crisis Israeli warplanes have carried out strikes on Khan Younis, with explosions and gunfire reported near the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza City. At least 14 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes overnight on Rafah and Deir el-Balah. Mediation efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza appear to be stalling. A Hamas official told Al Jazeera that Israeli negotiators have rejected the latest proposal for a ceasefire.…

Source link

Mediterranean Sea – Malik* has been beaten, sold and humiliated along the way, but after being rescued in the middle of the Mediterranean, he hopes for a life beyond the violence. The 23-year-old Syrian from the city of Deraa made his trip to Europe via Libya, where he became one among thousands of people detained and trafficked. Each had their reasons for risking the dangerous journey. For Malik, a recently graduated surgical nurse, it was the choice between fulfilling his oath as a medical professional to save lives and aid humans in need, and the expectation from the Syrian government…