Afghans rejoice as internet returns after Taliban blackout
A 48-hour shutdown imposed by the Taliban government hit firms, flights and risked further isolating women.
Chunk of NYC building collapses in possible explosion
No one was injured and no apartments were damaged, although some residents were evacuated.
French military detain two after boarding Russia-linked oil tanker suspected of launching drones
Tanker, named on list of ‘shadow fleet’ vessels, may have been launchpad for drones that closed Denmark airports
French military personnel have boarded an oil tanker named on a list of Russia’s “shadow fleet” vessels and suspected of being a launchpad for mystery drone flights that forced the closure of airports in Denmark last week.
Stéphane Kellenberger, the public prosector in Brest, told Agence France-Presse that two crew members – who presented themselves as the ship’s captain and his first mate – had been taken into custody.
Continue reading...Israel ‘tightens siege’ of Gaza City as Hamas reviews Trump peace plan
The defence minister warns Palestinians to leave, saying those remaining will be considered "terrorists and supporters of terror".
Israel ‘tightens siege’ of Gaza City as Hamas reviews Trump peace plan
The defence minister warns Palestinians to leave, saying those remaining will be considered "terrorists and supporters of terror".
Supreme Court temporarily blocks Fed Governor Cook firing
High court to hear arguments in January on whether Cook will lose her job but says she may stay in her post until then.
Activists say Gaza flotilla circled by Israeli warship
The Global Sumud Flotilla accused an Israeli vessel of steering "dangerously close" to one of its boats.
Israel says ‘last opportunity’ for Gaza City residents to leave
Defence minister issues warning, while Hamas reportedly considers seeking amendments to Trump plan
The Israeli military has issued what it said was its final warning for Gaza City residents to flee as it intensified its bombardment and offensive on Wednesday, while Hamas was reportedly considering requesting amendments to Donald Trump’s ceasefire ultimatum.
Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said the warning was the last opportunity for people to move to southern Gaza as the military encircled the city. Gaza’s civil defence agency said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had killed at least 46 people, including 36 in Gaza City.
Continue reading...Arbitrary detention victims urge Starmer to press Modi on jailed British Sikh
Activist Jagtar Singh Johal has been held in Indian prison for nearly eight years without full trial
The sisters of the British-Egyptian human rights campaigner Alaa Abd el-Fattah have intervened for the first time since his release from prison in Egypt to call on Keir Starmer to push Narendra Modi to free a British Sikh activist when he meets the Indian prime minister next week.
Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, has been held in an Indian jail for nearly eight years without facing full trial in what his supporters say is an arbitrary and egregious denial of justice by a British ally.
Continue reading...Updates: Israeli forces kill 73 in Gaza; arrest flotilla activists
At least 73 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza as Israeli forces arrest activists, including Greta Thunberg.
Hunter S Thompson’s death to be reviewed 20 years on
Investigators will look at the writer's 2005 death, which was ruled a suicide, at the family's request despite no new evidence of foul play.
A history of US government shutdowns: Every closure and how long it lasted
The US government has had 20 funding gaps, resulting in 10 shutdowns since 1976, the longest lasting 35 days.
Barcelona vs PSG 1-2: UEFA Champions League – as it happened
All our updates, including post-match reaction, from our text commentary stream of the league phase encounter.
NSW urged to stop strip-searches of young people after court ruling spotlights police conduct
Supreme court rules police suspicion that a person is in possession of a prohibited drug ‘is not sufficient to conduct a strip-search’
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Advocates are calling on the New South Wales government to scrap strip-searches of young people altogether, saying a landmark court ruling found “systemic” issues with the way police have been using their powers.
Justice Dina Yehia handed down her findings in the NSW supreme court on Tuesday in a class action brought by Slater and Gordon Lawyers and the Redfern Legal Centre against the state of NSW.
Continue reading...Middle East crisis: Israeli minister says ‘last opportunity’ for Gaza City residents to flee – as it happened
Israeli offensive intensifies amid reports Hamas will seek amendments to Trump’s Gaza plan
Here are some images coming in via the newswires today:
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that the “intensification of military operations in Gaza City” has forced the humanitarian organisation to temporarily suspend operations at its Gaza City office and relocate its staff to ICRC offices in southern Gaza “to ensure staff safety and operational continuity”.
The ICRC will continue to strive to provide support to civilians in Gaza City, whenever circumstances allow, from our offices in Deir al-Balah and Rafah, which remain fully operational. This includes providing medical donations to the few remaining health facilities in Gaza City and doing the utmost to facilitate the movements of first responders. In Rafah, the Red Cross Field hospital will continue to be a lifeline for the many wounded patients pouring in.
The ICRC has been in Gaza City for decades. Following the latest intensification of hostilities, ICRC teams stayed as long as they possibly could to protect and support the most vulnerable people. The ICRC remains committed to returning as soon as conditions allow.
The rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance must be allowed and facilitated across the Gaza Strip.
Continue reading...Mysterious, majestic; Sudan’s Nuba Mountains
A glimpse into a secluded community and thousands of IDPs it hosts, and how the arrival of the RSF worries them.
‘It’s safe now’: See students pulled from rubble of collapsed school
Dramatic rescue footage shows the boys in Indonesia pulled to safety after their school collapsed.
Munich Oktoberfest to re-open after fatal house fire and bomb threat
The annual beer festival was closed for several hours because of possible links to an explosion and fire.
Taliban denies intentionally banning internet services in Afghanistan
The Taliban has denied implementing a nationwide internet ban, following a communications blackout across Afghanistan.
Treasury Targets Iranian Weapons Procurement Networks Supporting Ballistic Missile and Military Aircraft Programs – U.S. Department of the Treasury (.gov)
- Treasury Targets Iranian Weapons Procurement Networks Supporting Ballistic Missile and Military Aircraft Programs U.S. Department of the Treasury (.gov)
- US targets Iran’s nuclear program with new sanctions The Hill
- Supporting Snapback of UN Sanctions on Iran with Additional Sanctions U.S. Department of State (.gov)
- Trump administration imposes sanctions on some Iranian people and firms after UN decision AP News
- U.S. targets Iran's nuclear program, weapons procurement upi.com