Author: ALJAZEERA

NewsFeedThe director of Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital has been released after being held by Israeli forces for months without charge, along with other medical staff who were seized while treating patients last year. Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya describes the abuse he and other Palestinians faced.Published On 1 Jul 20241 Jul 2024 Source link

Accusations of widespread abuses and torture.Palestinian detainees released from Israeli prisons say abuse and torture are widespread and systematic. Thousands, including minors, have been held since the war on Gaza began in October. So, how does Israel treat its Palestinian prisoners? Presenter: Mohammed Jamjoom Guests: Fadia Barghouti – Detained by the Israeli military for 90 days under its so-called administrative detention programme Basil Farraj – Assistant professor at Birzeit University, specialising in the study of political prisoners and violence in prisons in Palestine and elsewhere Mustafa Barghouti – Secretary-general and founder of the Palestinian National Initiative Source link

EXPLAINERThe military’s moves to conscript ultra-Orthodox Jews has led to protests and anger among the religious community.Ultra-Orthodox Jews have been protesting in Israel, unhappy with the idea of being drafted into the army. In recent days, groups of Haredi men have clashed with police during protests against the removal of their exemption from compulsory military service, and anger has even turned towards their own representatives in the Israeli parliament. On Sunday, a group attacked the head of the United Torah Judaism party’s car. In a country with compulsory military service, why are the ultra-Orthodox exempt, and why are they so…

Ghazouani secured 56.12 percent of the vote, well ahead of his rival Biram Dah Abeid, says the electoral commission.Incumbent Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani has won Mauritania’s presidential election, securing a second term, according to the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI). Ghazouani, 67, won 56.12 percent of the votes in the first round of the presidential poll, well ahead of his main rival, anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid, who won 22.10 percent, CENI said on Monday. Ghazouani’s other main rival, Hamadi Ould Sid’ El Moctar, who heads the Tewassoul party, came third with 12.78 percent, according to CENI. Saturday’s…

The detainees endured ‘almost daily torture’, claims al-Shifa Hospital Director Muhammad Abu Salmiya.Israel has freed dozens of Palestinians detained during its war in Gaza, including the director of one of the enclave’s main hospitals. Israel released 55 prisoners on Monday to free up space in its jails, unconfirmed reports claimed. Speaking shortly after his return to Gaza, al-Shifa Hospital Director Muhammad Abu Salmiya asserted that Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s prisons were facing daily abuse. With thousands of Palestinians having been added to those already detained since the war began on October 7, Israel’s prisons are “full,” reported the Israeli Public…

Delegations from Afghanistan and about 30 other countries have arrived in Doha to start a third round of United Nations-sponsored talks on integrating the South Asian country into the international community. This is the first time the Taliban will be present at these talks. Who will be there? Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will lead the Afghan delegation. The Taliban has also sent government officials responsible for banking, trade and narcotics control. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will not be present. He had attended the two previous meetings held since the Taliban takeover in August 2021,…

The two remaining candidates vying for the Iranian presidency, Saeed Jalili and Masoud Pezeshkian, offer voters distinct visions for the country’s future. However, experts say their differing views are unlikely to lead to a significant change in Iran’s foreign policy. Pezeskhian, a former health minister and surgeon, came first in Friday’s election but did not secure the 50 percent needed for an outright victory, forcing him into a run-off against second-placed Jalili to be held on July 5. Friday’s snap election was to pick a successor to President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in late May. Pezeshkian…

Plans of some 110,000 travellers upended after some 680 workers walk off the job.Canada’s WestJet has cancelled more than 800 flights after mechanics walked off the job, upending the travel plans of thousands of people over the Canada Day long weekend. Some 680 workers have been on strike since Friday after the Calgary-based airline and the Airplane Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) failed to reach a deal on salaries and working conditions. WestJet President and CEO Diederik Pen on Sunday apologised to travellers over the “unnecessary work stoppage”. “I am encouraged by our employees’ willingness to rise above the adversity and…

EXPLAINERThe world has faced its 12th straight month of historic heat, with this summer on track to be among the hottest yet.While summer has only just begun in the Northern Hemisphere, heatwaves have already gripped many parts of the world including across the United States, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. Extreme heat has led to more than a thousand deaths, urgent health warnings and school closures. July is historically the hottest month of the year, where in parts of the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures regularly exceed 40C (104F). According to the UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO), July 2023…

The United States Justice Department is pushing Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud in connection with two deadly plane crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners, according to several people who heard federal prosecutors detail a proposed offer Sunday. Boeing will have until the end of the coming week to accept or reject the offer, which includes the giant aerospace company agreeing to an independent monitor who would oversee its compliance with anti-fraud laws, they said. The case stems from the department’s determination that Boeing violated an agreement that was intended to resolve a 2021 charge of conspiracy to defraud…