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The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the Israeli occupation to immediately and completely lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, open the crossings, and guarantee full, safe, and sustainable humanitarian access to all parts of the Strip.In a statement, the Monitor warned of the dangerous escalation in the establishment by Israeli occupation forces of permanent and fortified military positions inside the Gaza Strip, near what is known as the “Yellow Line,” which isolates approximately 55 percent of the Strip’s area and subjects it to direct Israeli control. The Monitor considers this part of a systematic policy aimed at imposing a permanent reality that paves the way for the de facto annexation of large parts of the occupied Palestinian territory, eliminates what remains of its geographical contiguity, and deepens the illegal Israeli presence there.The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the international community to take immediate and effective action to stop the ongoing Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip and to reject any measures or arrangements on the ground that would entrench a forced demographic or geographic change in the Strip, reduce its area, or separate its parts from one another. The Monitor stressed that the continuation of these measures consolidates illegal realities imposed by force and threatens to transform them into a permanent status quo.The Monitor demanded that Israel be compelled to withdraw completely from the Gaza Strip and end its illegal presence in all of the occupied Palestinian territory, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in accordance with the International Court of Justice’s ruling that this presence must end as soon as possible, and in compliance with the UN General Assembly resolution that called on Israel to end it without delay.It stressed that the duty of states does not stop at political condemnation, but requires taking practical measures to stop the violation and prevent contributing to its continuation, including imposing targeted sanctions, stopping any military, security, logistical or intelligence cooperation that may contribute directly or indirectly to maintaining the illegal situation, refraining from providing any aid, assistance or recognition that would legitimize the de facto annexation or illegal occupation, and working collectively through the United Nations to ensure accountability and end this illegal situation. Source link
Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed developments in the Middle East in a telephone call today with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.During the call, Guterres affirmed the United Nations’ full support for Pakistan’s ongoing efforts in this regard.For his part, the Pakistani Foreign Minister affirmed his country’s commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy to achieve peace and stability in the region. Source link
A fire broke out Thursday at an oil refinery in Geelong, southeastern Australia, according to Australian authorities.Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said that the impact on fuel production will be significant, especially at this stage.Meanwhile, the site’s operations manager indicated that the fire was caused by a large leak of highly flammable gas. He added that the fire resulted in several explosions, making it difficult to fully contain in a short time.According to initial reports, no injuries were recorded at the site.The refinery has a processing capacity of up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day, producing gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and jet fuel.The refinery supplies 10% of the country’s fuel, according to Australian authorities. Source link
A police officer stands as people queue to get LPG cylinders, after Tuesday’s violent protests by factory workers demanding wage hikes amid rising living costs linked…
Copies of The Daily Telegraph are displayed on a rack in a supermarket in London. (Reuters/File Photo) The UK government Tuesday gave the green light for German media group Axel Springer to buy British newspaper The Telegraph, ending a drawn-out pursuit of the 170-year-old title.The Labour government’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said in a statement that she is “not minded to intervene in this merger” over competition and foreign-ownership concerns.Axel, which owns German newspapers Bild and Welt as well as the Politico news outlet, last month announced it would pay £575mn ($661mn) in cash for The Telegraph’s print and online versions.That came after the UK government in February launched an investigation into an agreed sale of The Telegraph to the owner of the Daily Mail, a rival British right-wing publication, citing competition concerns.That probe has been made redundant by the government’s approval of the German takeover.”After a long period of uncertainty, we can confirm that we will invest significantly in The Telegraph’s editorial excellence and international growth,” Axel Springer chief executive Mathias Dopfner said in a statement Tuesday.”The Telegraph will join a global network committed to independent reporting while retaining its distinct editorial voice and British identity.”An international pursuit of The Telegraph stretches back almost three years.RedBird IMI, a joint venture between US investment firm RedBird Capital and Abu Dhabi’s International Media Investments, had struck a deal for the title in late 2023.However, the previous UK government triggered a swift resale over freedom-of-speech concerns owing to Abu Dhabi’s press censorship record.RedBird then pursued the takeover under a revised structure, but abruptly dropped its bid in late 2025.The Daily Mail then agreed a £500-million deal with US-Emirati consortium RedBird IMI in November for the purchase.Amid the takeover saga, the previous UK Conservative government also amended merger laws to bar foreign states from controlling British newspapers. Related Story Source link
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14: (L-R) U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Michael Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel…
Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, visit the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Tuesday. (Reuters) Britain’s Prince Harry and wife Meghan landed in Australia Tuesday for a four-day visit with engagements covering sport, mental health and veterans’ affairs. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex began their trip at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, where they took part in an activity in the hospital’s therapeutic garden spaces.”It was a genuinely meaningful visit for our staff and for the young people receiving care,” said Dr Peter Steer, the hospital’s CEO.Harry, wearing a navy suit and white shirt, spoke to children and posed for photographs with patients in the foyer of the hospital, calling one of the handmade signs welcoming the couple “beautiful”.Meghan, who wore a matching A$1,250 ($885) navy dress by Sydney-based designer Karen Gee, later helped serve food at a women’s domestic violence shelter in the city.The Sussexes stepped down as working members of the British royal family and moved to the US in 2020, citing a desire to be financially independent and to escape what they characterised as media intrusion into their private lives.They last visited Australia in 2018 while still working royals, announcing Meghan’s first pregnancy hours after arriving in Sydney.Their latest visit has captured public attention in Australia, where Britain’s King Charles is the head of state, though a sizeable minority supports becoming a republic. But there was little sign of the ecstatic reception that greeted them on the 2018 trip. Television networks aired footage that they said showed the couple arriving in Melbourne on a commercial flight from Los Angeles, before being taken from the tarmac in a vehicle convoy.The couple’s travel is being privately funded, though local media reported some policing costs associated with the visit would be paid by Australian taxpayers, sparking a protest petition signed by more than 45,000 people.The couple will travel to the capital, Canberra, Wednesday to meet military veterans, attend a mental health summit in Melbourne Thursday and round off the joint leg of their trip with sailing and rugby events in Sydney on Friday.In contrast to their previous visit, the Sussexes will also undertake commercial activities while in Australia, with Meghan remaining in the country to host a wellness retreat at a luxury beachside hotel in Sydney over the weekend.Tickets for the event, which includes yoga, manifestation and sound healing, start at A$2,699 ($1,912) per person. Related Story Source link
At least nine people were killed and 15 others injured in an explosion at a power plant in central India.Local authorities stated that the explosion occurred in Chhattisgarh state, adding that 24 workers sustained serious injuries when a boiler exploded at the plant, located in Sakti district.They added that an investigation will be conducted and the strictest possible measures will be taken against all those responsible for the incident, while noting that rescue teams have begun searching for any missing persons and that the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Source link
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that tensions in the Middle East have had negative global repercussions, most notably rising inflation rates and increased risks of food shortages, in addition to disruptions in supply chains and infrastructure.A statement from the German government quoted Merz emphasizing the importance of expanding long-term economic partnerships between Germany and the African continent, especially in light of current global developments that necessitate closer coordination with international partners.The German Chancellor stated that Africa represents a pivotal strategic partner for his country, explaining that cooperation with the continent would achieve shared interests and provide significant opportunities.Merz’s remarks came during his meeting in Berlin with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, whose visit to Germany is part of preparations for the International Sudan Conference scheduled to be held later today in Berlin. Source link
US President Donald Trump hinted at a new round of negotiations between his country and Iran, saying, “Something could happen over the next two days in Pakistan.”Trump told a New York Post reporter in Islamabad, “You should stay there, really, because something could be happening over the next two days, and we’re more inclined to go there.”Asked about the possibility of holding a new round of talks between the two countries in Geneva, the US president said, “Why should we go to some country that has nothing to do with it”The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire but talks in Pakistan last week failed to produce any significant progress. In response, the US president ordered a blockade of Iranian ports to increase pressure on Tehran. Source link