The UN’s top court has declared Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territory illegal urging an immediate end to the occupation and settlement activities.

A massive technology outage has disrupted businesses and institutions in multiple countries, throwing airports, airlines, rail companies, government services, banks, stock exchanges, supermarkets, telecoms, health systems and media outlets into chaos. The cause of the outage was not immediately clear, but it came hours after Microsoft said it was addressing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services. Some experts attributed the disruption to CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm whose software is used by industries around the world to protect against hackers and outside breaches. The problem appeared to result in crashes of machines running the Microsoft Windows operating system. CrowdStrike said in a recorded phone message that it was aware of reports of Microsoft’s Windows operating system crashing. Reporting from London, Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull said, “CrowdStrike seems to have had some sort of mandatory update to its software that went horribly wrong.” The company had reported that the issue was related to its Falcon sensor product, engineers identifying a “content deployment problem”, said Hull. “It has been a quite extraordinarily dysfunctional, disruptive morning from an IT point of view – or indeed mid-afternoon if you’re in Australia where the first signs of a real problem began to emerge, according to Hull. “Essentially it happens as you’re sitting in front of your terminal. If your terminal is a Microsoft Windows terminal, it suddenly goes to a blank blue screen. It’s called the ‘blue-screen-of-death’ error. You are locked out of your operating system,” Hull said. At the time of reporting, some of the malfunctioning business, companies and computer app systems were beginning to return to normal service, including Sky News in the United Kingdom, which was down for an hour in the morning. The outages rippled far and wide, with transport systems around the world among the hardest hit. In the United States, major airlines Delta, United and American Airlines were grounded on Friday morning due to a communication issue, according to an update by the Federal Aviation Administration. In Australia, flight information screens at Sydney airport went blank. The airport said that flights were arriving and departing but that travellers should expect delays. “We have activated our contingency plans and deployed additional staff to our terminals,” it said in a post on X. Melbourne airport said that check-in procedures for some airlines had been affected. “Passengers flying with these airlines this afternoon are advised to allow a little extra time to check-in. Please check with your airline for flight updates,” it said in a post on X.

The US military destroyed two surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and four uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the ground in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said early Friday. “It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region,” CENTCOM wrote on X. “These actions were taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure,” it added. The Houthis have been targeting Israeli-linked cargo ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been under an Israeli onslaught since Oct. 7 last year. The Red Sea is one of the world’s most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments. Earlier this year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a multinational mission, Operation Prosperity Guardian, to counter Houthi attacks.

Thousands of migrants from Asia and Africa allegedly smuggled into the U.S. by a network led by a Sierra Leonean man.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a nearly $109 million fund for humanitarian and development projects in Africa and the Middle East.

White House officials disclose that Nancy Pelosi backs Adam Schiff’s call for Joe Biden to step aside in the presidential race.

Turkey and Niger sign a deal to develop Niger’s oil and gas fields, deepening their partnership after Niger expels Western forces.

Authorities say 10 more dead bodies recovered from building.

Leaders discuss solutions at the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum, including development projects and tackling human trafficking.

Hakan Fidan pays official visit to West African nation

UK supports Israel from lands left over from colonialism Britain has sent 60 aircraft to Israel since Oct. 7

French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s resignation but has asked him to remain as head of a caretaker.

This follows previous discussions in China in April focused on reconciliation efforts to end nearly 17 years of political splits

Operator of crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant completes discharge of around 7,800 tons of water

‘The extreme level of fighting and devastation in Gaza is incomprehensible and inexcusable,’ says Antonio Guterres

Increased expectations of Fed’s return to interest rate cuts limit price declines

Information minister says Imran Khan’s PTI and Pakistan cannot progress together

‘The political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated. It’s time to cool it down,’ president says in Oval Office address

‘I will oppose this, even if it ends my political career,’ says Bezalel Smotrich

Throughout the nation’s history since its founding in 1776, several notable assassinations and attempted assassinations have occurred:

Spain are crowned Euro 2024 champions after a dramatic late winner from Mikel Oyarzabal.

Leaders express shock at deadly shooting at former president’s campaign rally, wishes ‘speedy recovery’ to Trump

Israeli army bombed displaced people’s tents in Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, says Gaza Health Ministry

‘About time people stood up for their rights,’ says Canadian Council of Muslim Women