Author name: yasir

Pope says Israel’s bombings in Lebanon, Gaza ‘immoral’

World /

Pope Francis on Sunday said Israel’s attacks in Gaza and Lebanon are “immoral” and “disproportionate.” During his flight back from a four-day trip to Luxembourg and Belgium, the pope was asked about Israel’s targeted killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Friday’s strike on Beirut, which led to many casualties and reduced several buildings to rubble. “Every day I call the parish of Gaza. More than 600 people are there, inside the parish and the college, and they tell me about the things that are happening, including the cruelties that are occurring there,” he told journalists. “What you are telling me—I didn’t quite understand how things have been (evolving, ed.)—but defense must always be proportionate to the attack,” he added. The Israeli army has pounded Lebanon against what it called Hezbollah targets since Sept. 23, killing at least 816 people and injuring over 2,500 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The heavy bombardment also targeted senior Hezbollah commanders and forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has killed more than 41,000 people, mostly women and children, following a cross-border attack by Hamas last Oct. 7. “When there is something disproportionate, a domineering tendency that goes beyond morality is evident,” the pope said. “A country that, with its forces, does these things—I’m talking about any country—that does these things in such a “superlative” way, these are immoral actions,” he added. “Even in war, there is morality to be safe-guarded. War is immoral, but the rules of war indicate some morality. But when this is not respected, you can see—as we say in Argentina—the “bad blood” of these things.”

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UN delegates call for immediate end to hostilities in the Middle East

Africa /

During the UN General Assembly, foreign ministers from Indonesia, Denmark, and Trinidad and Tobago urged an end to hostilities in the Middle East. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen emphasized the dire situation, stating, “Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and there is a very real risk of an all-out regional war that would impact us all. This must end, and it must end now.” The Trinidad and Tobago foreign minister echoed his concerns, expressing distress over the escalating conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza, describing the situation as deeply troubling. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has consistently called for an end to the violence, warning that Lebanon must not become “another Gaza.” These calls for peace come amid a sharp increase in fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, with recent Israeli strikes in Lebanon resulting in hundreds of casualties. An airstrike in Beirut reportedly killed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, prompting Iran’s Supreme Leader to vow retaliation.

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Morocco rebuilds 12th-century mosque destroyed by 2023 quake 

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The hand-carved domes and brick arches of the Great Mosque of Tinmel had nearly been restored when a powerful earthquake struck Morocco, causing them to collapse and crash to the ground. After almost 900 years, the mosque now lay in ruins—its minaret toppled, prayer hall filled with debris, and outer walls shattered. Yet, despite the devastation, it remained sacred to the residents of Tinmel. Villagers carried the sheet-covered bodies of 15 community members who perished in the quake down the hillside, laying them before the ruined mosque. Historic sites in the High Atlas region have long attracted tourists, but the recent earthquake has highlighted significant disparities in this primarily agricultural area. Poverty and illiteracy rates here exceed the national average, as noted in a government report from October 2023 on the five affected provinces. “The mountainous areas most impacted were already suffering from geographical isolation,” stated the Civil Coalition for the Mountain, a group of Moroccan NGOs, marking the earthquake’s anniversary. “The tragedy exposed structural inequalities stemming from development policies that have overlooked the mountains.” Najia Ait Mohannad, the coalition’s regional coordinator, remarked, “There’s a Morocco in Rabat and Marrakech, but another Morocco exists in the mountains. The immediate priority is rebuilding homes.” The government has promised a comprehensive reconstruction plan that includes strengthening infrastructure and improving public services. Officials vowed to rebuild in a manner that honors the region’s heritage and respects local customs. For the villagers, these efforts could symbolize renewed investment in one of Morocco’s poorest regions and pay tribute to its rich history. Currently, however, the area remains in disrepair, with enchanting ruins supported by wooden scaffolding, while villagers live in plastic tents amidst the remnants of their former homes.

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Ethiopian athletes excel at Berlin Marathon

Africa /

A group of Ethiopian athletes shone at this year’s Berlin Marathon on Sunday, led by Milkesa Mengesha, who won the men’s race with a personal best time of just over 2 hours and 3 minutes. Ethiopia’s Haymanot Alew also performed well, finishing just shy of second place, which went to Kenya’s Cybrian Kotut. In the women’s category, Tigist Ketema emerged victorious with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 42 seconds, while her compatriots Mestawut Fikir and Bosena Mulatie secured second and third places, respectively. This edition marked the first time since 2014 that the marathon took place without prominent runners Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya or Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele. Over 58,000 runners from 161 nations participated, setting a new record for the event.

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 Israel seeks to expand war beyond Gaza: Turkish foreign minister

Turkey, World /

 Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday said Israel’s expanding military actions, particularly the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, suggests it has a desire to take the Gaza conflict to the region. “There is a desire within Israel, including [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, to escalate the conflict across the region,” Fidan said. He emphasized that “if Israel is not stopped in Gaza and Palestine, it will spread its war to surrounding regions,” noting that after reaching its military targets in Gaza, Israel is now moving to the front in Lebanon. Hezbollah and Israel continued cross-border warfare since the Gaza war last October, but Tel Aviv recently escalated its offensive in Lebanon, killing hundreds, displacing thousands and also assassinating the group’s leader Nasrallah. The conflict could escalate further, as there are fears of an Israeli military ground invasion. Fidan characterized the ongoing situation in Gaza, where more than 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion, as a “tragedy,” but said if there is greater tragedy than this, it is hypocrisy and inefficiency of the international system. – Need for reform in the UN Fidan said the conflict had showed us that international institutions, including the UN, are not functioning, highlighting an urgent need for reform. He said “the despair in the UN, the silence of the international community on this issue, has become a frightening situation.” The top Turkish diplomat also underscored the importance of establishing an independent Palestine, saying the Gaza Contact Group, formed at a joint summit of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League in Saudi Arabia last November, continues to take up the matter. More than 150 countries have already supported full recognition of state of Palestine, he added. – Turkey’s role in advocacy The minister said that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Türkiye has been proactive in advocating for peace. “Türkiye is not confined to either Western or Eastern axis,” Fidan said, arguing that Ankara will continue to move forward with a constructive, peace-oriented approach in the region. – US role in conflict He criticized the extent of US support for Israel, describing it as troubling that “all of the US’ power is at Israel’s disposal.” Fidan noted that “America’s political, financial, and military support continues,” referencing President Joe Biden’s recent statements about the attacks in Lebanon and Israel’s right to self-defense. He called Nasrallah’s death a significant loss for both Hezbollah and Iran. The foreign minister expressed alarm at Israel’s actions potentially dragging its allies into a wider conflict, saying it is “drawing both itself and its allies into a major conflict.

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Serbian capital holds traditional zombie march

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 The Serbian capital of Belgrade held a traditional zombie-themed march Saturday with hundreds filling the streets with colorful costumes. The “zombies” attracted attention with their costumes and make-up. Characters from films such as “Lord of the Rings” and “Silent Hill” were also portrayed. Some of the make-up required six hours of professional work and cosmetics as streets became the scene of a “zombie walk” with colorful costumes. The march is to draw attention to a significant segment of film art that deals with masks, make-up and special effects, according to organizers. The march, held as part of the Serbian Fantasy Film Festival, attracted the attention of children. Proceeds from the march will be used for children receiving cancer treatment.

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Rwanda reports six deaths and 20 cases of Marburg disease

Africa /

Rwanda has reported six deaths and 20 confirmed cases of Marburg disease, according to Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana, who made the announcement in a video statement on Saturday. Most of the victims are healthcare workers from the intensive care unit, Nsanzimana said. “We have 20 infected individuals and six fatalities due to this virus, primarily among health workers,” he noted. Marburg disease is a viral hemorrhagic fever that can lead to death, with symptoms including severe headaches, vomiting, and muscle and stomach aches. The health ministry is coordinating efforts to trace those who may have come into contact with infected individuals. With a fatality rate as high as 88%, Marburg is in the same virus family as Ebola and is transmitted from fruit bats to humans, spreading through contact with bodily fluids. Neighboring Tanzania reported Marburg cases in 2023, while Uganda experienced similar outbreaks in 2017.

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Nobel Prize laureate hails South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Africa /

Nobel laureate Abdulrazak Gurnah applauded the South African government Saturday for taking Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its conflict in the Gaza Strip. The Tanzanian-born British novelist and academic who won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2021, spoke at the 2024 Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg and said South Africa’s case has invited greater condemnation of the tragic events perpetrated by Israel in Gaza. “The court’s ruling and its warrants will only be more words, in the end, and words will not end this or other injustices, will not rebuild schools or hospitals, or end detentions and the destruction of cities,” he said. Gurnah, 75, however, expressed opportunism. “There are times when words is all we have — words and sympathy — and an understanding of our comparable experiences, our shared humanity,” he said. “Having a sense of shared humanity means being committed to championing justice … and to demand profound care for the environment and for other species. In an international context, our sense of shared humanity should guide our understanding of justice and inspire us to pursue justice beyond the borders of our respective communities and countries.” South Africa filed the case at the tribunal based in The Hague in late 2023, accusing Israel, which has bombed Gaza since last October, of failing to uphold its commitments under the 1948 Genocide Convention. The top UN court ordered Israel in May to halt its offensive in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It was the third time the 15-judge panel issued preliminary orders seeking to rein in the death toll and alleviate humanitarian suffering in the blockaded enclave, where casualties have surpassed 41,000. Several countries have joined the genocide case against Israel including, Türkiye, Nicaragua, Palestine, Spain, Mexico, Libya and Colombia. The case began public hearings in January. -Colonialism Gurnah noted his experience during colonialism in Zanzibar in 1960, when he was a 12-year-old school boy. He said it was a time of unprecedented excitement as the politics of decolonization were approaching a climax. He said he came to know about South Africa, where the white minority ruled, because of the sense of solidarity that arose out of the decolonization activities that led to boycotts of South African products. “I think, actually, that was the first awareness of South Africa for me,” he said.

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Tunisia amends election law, provokes protests ahead of vote

Africa /

On Friday, Tunisia’s parliament amended a law that limits the judiciary’s authority over decisions made by the election authority, which is appointed by President Kais Saied. This change comes just nine days before the presidential election and amid tensions between the election authority and the courts regarding the exclusion of three candidates from the ballot. The amendment sparked protests from opposition and civil society groups, who accuse the election authority of colluding with Saied to minimize competition for his re-election bid. Demonstrators gathered outside parliament to express their discontent. Since the Arab Spring, Tunisia has seen two presidential elections deemed democratic, but this year’s election cycle has been marred by disputes between the Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) and the judiciary. ISIE recently dismissed a court ruling that ordered the reinstatement of three candidates—Monther Zenaidi, Abdellatif Mekki, and Imed Daimi—claiming their campaign filings were incomplete. Parliament members criticized the judiciary’s neutrality, suggesting that judges were acting under foreign influence, reflecting Saied’s longstanding rhetoric against opponents. Zina Jiballah, an independent MP, accused some parties of receiving instructions from abroad. Saied, who won his first term in 2019, will face two relatively unknown candidates, Ayachi Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui, next weekend, as prominent opposition figures remain imprisoned. Zammel is currently incarcerated on election fraud charges.

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African Leaders warn of funding crisis in Malaria fight

Africa /

African Leaders Warn of Funding Crisis in Malaria Fight Amid Global Challenges African leaders have highlighted significant funding gaps in the fight against malaria, exacerbated by the ongoing global financial crisis and climate change impacts. Meeting this week in New York alongside the United Nations General Assembly, they emphasized the urgent need for coordinated efforts to prevent a funding crisis that could reverse decades of progress. The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), which hosted the meeting, warned that continued reductions in malaria funding could lead to an additional 112 million cases and approximately 280,000 deaths by 2029. Currently, Africa accounts for about 236 million malaria cases—95% of the global total—and 97% of deaths, with Nigeria bearing nearly a third of this burden. Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, chair of ALMA, stated, “We must act urgently to protect lifesaving malaria interventions. Our target is to eliminate malaria in Africa.” Experts estimate that the continent needs up to $6.3 billion annually to eradicate the disease, urging sustained global support for malaria financing. ALMA also pointed to climate change and increasing resistance to insecticides and antimalarials as major hurdles in combating malaria. Ngashi Ngongo, head of the Executive Office at the African Union, noted that eliminating malaria alongside addressing other endemic diseases like HIV and tuberculosis is vital for reducing Africa’s overall disease burden and achieving universal health coverage. Following the World Health Organization’s approval last year, malaria vaccines are now being integrated into routine immunization schedules for children across Africa. Additionally, on Thursday, Nigerian health authorities signed an agreement with U.S.-based drone company Zipline to utilize AI-powered drones for distributing medical supplies, including blood and vaccines. Abdu Muktar, Nigeria’s national coordinator for the Unlocking Healthcare Value-Chain Initiative, praised the initiative’s ambition to produce healthcare products locally, emphasizing the importance of effective delivery systems. “What Zipline is doing is using technology to ensure delivery, reduce waste, and enhance accountability,” he said. In 2022, governments of malaria-endemic countries contributed approximately $1.5 billion to combat the disease.

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