KAKAMMPI News

ADELAIDE, Australia — Britain and Australia declared the need for an "immediate cessation of fighting" in Gaza, as diplomatic pressure built on Israel Friday to ditch a planned ground assault on the southern city of Rafah. After a meeting of Australian and UK foreign and defence ministers in Adelaide, the allies issued a statement that stressed the "urgency of an immediate cessation of fighting in Gaza to allow aid to flow and hostages to be released". The call came just hours before the United States was expected to put a resolution to the UN Security Council stressing the need for "an immediate ceasefire". Washington has for months vetoed calls for an immediate ceasefire, hoping to shield its closest Middle Eastern ally, Israel, as it tries to avenge the attacks of October 7. Such a UN resolution would create pressure on Israel to temper its intense five-month-old offensive in Gaza, which has claimed almost 32,000 lives, according to the health minis

PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES — Israel plans to send troops into Gaza's Rafah even without US support, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the US top diplomat on Friday, as Washington failed to pass a UN resolution on an "immediate" ceasefire. Almost six months of Israeli bombardment since Hamas's October 7 attack has brought Gaza to its knees with many thousands killed, infrastructure shattered and widespread warnings that its 2.4 million people are on the verge of famine. Washington has repeatedly blocked Gaza ceasefire resolutions at the UN Security Council but tried to pass a text mentioning an "immediate ceasefire as part of a hostage deal". Many countries backed the renewed diplomatic push to pause the war, but China and Russia vetoed the US text, which Arab governments complained was too weak and put no pressure on Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on a whistlestop tour of the region to support truce talks in Qatar that involve indirec

MANILA, Philippines — The United States denounced China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea on Saturday, which injured three Philippine Navy personnel and caused significant damage to a supply vessel, as Washington called on Beijing to abide by the 2016 arbitral ruling. “The PRC (People’s Republic of China)’s actions are destabilizing to the region and show clear disregard for international law,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. “PRC ships’ repeated employment of water cannons and reckless blocking maneuvers resulted in injuries to Filipino service members and significant damage to their resupply vessel, rendering it immobile,” he said. The incident, he said, marked only the latest in China’s repeated obstruction of Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation and disruption of supply lines to Filipino service members at Ayungin Shoal of necessary provisions. “As provided under the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention, the 2016 arbi

WASHINGTON, United States — Mexico's president said in an interview broadcast Sunday that Republican Donald Trump's mantra that the US-Mexico border should be walled off is a nonstarter, reiterating his view that only huge US foreign policy changes will stem illegal migration. Asked by CBS's "60 Minutes" whether Trump, if elected in November, would build the promised wall, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said "no." "It doesn't work!" he said, speaking through a translator. The president said that when Trump was last in office and seeking to build a wall, he highlighted for his US counterpart that smugglers had been able to dig tunnels under barriers already in place. Trump "stayed quiet, and then he started laughing and told me 'I can't win with you,'" Lopez Obrador said. The Mexican president's remarks on Trump as well as Joe Biden come as the two US political foes face a rematch of their 2020 bout, wit

LONDON, United Kingdom — Catherine, Princess of Wales, has said she is "enormously touched" by the support she has received from around the world following her shock announcement on Friday that she is being treated for cancer. "The prince and princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness' message," Catherine and her husband Prince William said in a statement released late on Saturday. "They are extremely moved by the public's warmth and support and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time." Catherine, 42, revealed in a video message to the UK that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy, triggering a wave of support from global leaders, family members, media and the public.

MOSCOW: Russia was observing a national day of mourning on Sunday after a massacre in a Moscow concert hall killed more than 130 people, the deadliest attack in Europe to have been claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group. Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to punish those behind the “barbaric terrorist attack”, saying four gunmen trying to flee to Ukraine had been arrested. Kyiv has strongly denied any connection, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accusing Putin of trying to shift the blame onto them. “The whole country is in mourning with those who lost their loved ones in this inhumane tragedy,” public television channel Russia 24 said on Sunday morning. Putin, in his only public remarks on the attack, made no reference to IS’s claims of responsibility. At least 133 people were killed when camouflaged gunmen stormed the Crocus City Hall, in Moscow’s northern suburb of Krasnogorsk, and then set fire to the building on Friday evening. ‘Machine guns, firebombs’ The

GAZA: Heavy fighting raged in Gaza on Sunday as the Zionist entity has vowed to push on with its ground war in the territory’s far south despite US objections and truce talks. UN chief Antonio Guterres said “horror and starvation stalk the people of Gaza” and urged an immediate ceasefire and the release of all captives held since Oct 7. The health ministry in the Gaza Strip said another 84 people had been killed over the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll in the nearly six-month-old war to 32,226. Combat has flared for almost a week in and around Gaza’s biggest hospital complex, Al-Shifa, which has been a refuge for patients and displaced people and where the Zionist entity claims Hamas and Islamic Jihad group militants have been hiding out. Hamas also said the Zionist entity had launched more than 60 airstrikes as well as artillery bombardment on Gaza City, the southern urban center of Khan Yunis and other areas. In Gaza’s far-southern Rafah city, local resident Hassan Zano

CAIRO: Sameh Makki’s soup kitchen is barely 100 m from the market, but it can take two hours to make the journey through Sudan’s war-torn streets, often through hails of bullets. The 43-year-old, his family and local volunteers have risked everything to get supplies to feed around 150 families caught in the crossfire between the army and paramilitaries. “The only thing that matters is that people eat. If I had died while making that happen, so be it,” said Makki. Since the war began last April between the army of General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, tens of thousands have died and millions more have been forced to flee their homes. Initiatives like Makki’s are some of the only ways that people survive as the impoverished country hangs on the verge of famine. Makki fled to Egypt to get medical care for his daughter and left the soup kitchen in the care of his mother and young volunteers from the neighborhood. Like

KUWAIT: The British Ambassador to Kuwait, Belinda Lewis, stressed on Sunday the depth of deep-rooted relations between United Kingdom and Kuwait, which are rooted in 125 years of partnerships between the two countries. This came in a press statement made by Ambassador Lewis to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) during the Kuwaiti-British partnership tree planting event in the National Library of Kuwait Park in the presence of the Director General of the National Library, Siham Al-Azmi, and Sheikha Hala Al-Sabah. Ambassador Lewis said that planting of the tree is an expression of the strength and depth in the relationship between the United Kingdom and Kuwait. The two countries considered last January as the “Year of Kuwaiti-British Partnership” in celebration of 125 years of distinguished diplomatic relations. In turn, the Director General of the National Library of Kuwait, Siham Al-Azmi, said that the planting of the Kuwaiti-British partnership tree came in celebration of 125 years of histor

Average salary of a citizen in the public sector is KD 1,600 KUWAIT: Until December 31, 2023, the number of Kuwaiti workers in the public sector reached 397,600 or 84.6 percent of the total workers, according to PACI. However, according to the Central Statistical Bureau this percentage scored 84.1 percent as of September 30, 2023. The number of Kuwaiti workers in the public sector in 1992 was about 103,000 workers. The rate of unemployment at that time ranged between 20-40 percent, according to World Bank estimates. The national public sector employment increased about four times over 30 years. Nowadays, unemployment exceeded half of that number of workers and reached 6.0 percent. According to the estimates of the current government’s program, its numbers do not differ from the numbers of previous governments, as there are 100,000 male and female citizens who will join the labor market within four years, most of them are graduates of a public education system with 4.8 years lagging

OPEC chief dismisses calls to abandon oil as ‘wrong and unrealistic’ KUWAIT: OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al-Ghais described calls to abandon oil as “wrong and unrealistic”, because oil, which represents 31 percent of the global energy mix, has undoubtedly been the “lifeblood of modern life”. Ghais, in an interview with KUNA, said oil would continue to play an “important and vital” role in international markets for decades to come. “Abandoning it is not easy,” he added. Ghais said oil occupies an important part in human life. “Oil and its products are used in many of the vital daily activities of people regardless of their locations, nationalities, jobs or interests, such as transportation, travel, energy production and manufacturing,” he said. He highlighted the abundance of oil, adding that “oil is also easy to extract, refine and transport. All these factors have made oil extremely important since it was discovered decades ago. It nowadays plays a vital role in the global econo

In a vibrant display of faith and tradition, Filipino-Americans in Walnut, California, came together to celebrate Palm Sunday at the Saint Lorenzo Ruiz Parish. Led by Reverend Father Tony Astudillo, the longtime parish pastor, the community gathered to mark the beginning of Holy Week with prayers, blessings, and Mass. The parish, renowned for its sizable Filipino-American congregation, holds a special significance as the only one dedicated to Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint and a revered figure among overseas Filipino workers and immigrants. As parishioners filled the pews, Reverend Fr. Tony Astudillo, hailing from Ilocano heritage, led the congregation in a solemn ceremony, blessing palm fronds with prayers and holy water. For the Filipino-American community in Walnut, Palm Sunday holds deep cultural and religious significance, serving as a time to reflect on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the beginning of the passion, death, and resurrection of Chr

Following the devastating bombing incident in a bustling market square in Moscow, the Filipino community in Russia finds itself grappling with shock and grief as they come to terms with the aftermath of the tragic event. The bombing, which occurred during peak hours, has claimed the lives of several innocent civilians and left many more injured, sending shockwaves through the diverse tapestry of communities that call Russia home. Among those affected are members of the Filipino expatriate community, who have been left reeling from the senseless violence that has shattered the peace and stability of their adopted homeland. Reports indicate that a number of Filipino nationals were present at the scene of the explosion, with some sustaining injuries in the blast. The Philippine Embassy in Moscow has swiftly moved to offer assistance and support to affected Filipino citizens, coordinating with local authorities and medical facilities to ensure that those injured receive the necessary

In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of marine biologists has unveiled a new species of bioluminescent fish thriving in the unexplored depths of the Pacific Ocean. The remarkable find sheds light on the diversity and resilience of life in the ocean's most remote habitats. Named *Luminoculus pacificus*, the newly identified species exhibits stunning bioluminescent properties, emitting a soft, blue-green glow that illuminates the dark abyssal waters where it resides. The fish, measuring approximately 15 centimeters in length, possesses unique adaptations that enable it to thrive in extreme conditions, including the ability to withstand immense pressure and low temperatures. Dr. Marina Chen, lead researcher of the expedition, expressed her excitement over the discovery, stating, "Encountering a previously unknown species in such a remote and mysterious environment is truly exhilarating. *Luminoculus pacificus* represents a remarkable example of the wonders that still await d

A social listening report from Capstone-Intel revealed that 6 out of 10 Filipinos, or 64.7 percent of Filipino social media users in the country, are flocking to Facebook pages of Catholic Churches, particularly to Quiapo Church to watch livestreams dedicated to the online masses for the lenten season. Capstone-Intel Corporation is a high-impact research company that uses innovative research technologies, tools, and methods to convert data and information into breakthrough insights and actionable intelligence outputs. It is committed to helping its clients solve problems, find solutions, grow markets and constituencies, build reputations, navigate risks, manage crises, and be the country’s leading private research and intelligence agency. Methodology Capstone-Intel Corp. examined the online presence of Lenten season in the country as a topic of discussion and identified the behaviors of Filipino social media users about the topic from February 14, the start of Lenten season, to Ma

Filipinos in Kuwait are urged to avail of the Kuwaiti government's visa amnesty program, an initiative that allows those with expired visas to regularize their stay or leave without paying penalties. "This amnesty initiative by the Kuwait Ministry of Interior is a commendable step towards resolving the issues faced by our 'kababayans' whose visas have already expired," Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo said in a statement on Monday. The program, which runs from March 17 to June 17 this year, also allows those with expired visas to have the option of legalizing their residency by paying fines. Salo said his office is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to assist concerned Filipinos in Kuwait to avail of the amnesty. "Our priority is to ensure their well-being and provide necessary support during this process," he said. The Philippines has imposed a deployment ban in Kuwait for first time household service workers in F

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday admitted to facing a few setbacks in having the 63 Filipinos from Haiti get repatriated amid the ongoing violent gang activities there. “Right now, may difficulty. Sarado ang international airport and even land travel is hindered, lalo na ang travel to the capital. So sa ngayon, quietly, isinasaayos pa 'yung chartered flight pauwi,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said at a press conference Wednesday. (Right now, there is a difficulty. The international airport is closed and even land travel is hindered, especially the travel to the capital. Right now, the chartered flight home is still being arranged.) Cacdac said Monday that the 63 Filipinos who expressed willingness to get repatriated from Haiti may be sent back to the Philippines this week. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier raised the alert level in Haiti to 3, mandating voluntary repatriation for Filipinos "in view of the current unstable security si

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will push through with online voting for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) despite concerns over its legal basis. This was highlighted by Comelec Chairman George Garcia as he led the information campaign for overseas registration and the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Rotary International District 3810, and the Associated Marine Officers And Seamen's Union of the Philippines. In a press conference after the event, Garcia said the Comelec en banc had released a resolution on online voting, arguing that under the current laws, the commission did "not prohibit" other modes of voting. "Ang sinabi ng batas ito yung dalawang modes muna ngayon-- in person at tsaka by mail-- pero ang nakalagay sa provision... ang Comelec ay pupwedeng mag-venture sa ibang modes of voting basta magre-report ka lang sa Kongreso," Garcia said. "So whatever the Comele

The second batch of checks to pay for the indemnity claims of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who got displaced by the bankruptcy of their Saudi Arabia employers has yet to be released, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday. At a media forum, DMW officer-in-charge Hans Leo Cacdac said that a budget has been allocated for the next tranche of payments, but claimants have to be patient about it, considering that it’s Ramadan. “We are awaiting the next batch of checks to be released. The Saudi Labor Minister says that succeeding releases will come. There is already a budget allocated for this, but we just have to be patient with the process of the Saudi side,” Cacdac said. For the first batch, he said around 1,500 OFWs have received their checks amounting to P1 billion. However, some claimant families of OFWs who have already died have yet to acquire theirs. DMW Assistant Secretary Jerome Alcantara said the agency is currently assisting 29 heirs of deceased OFWs to

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing and described the NAIA privatization project as "an investment in our future." "This undertaking is not just about revenues that will be remitted to treasury alone, but resources invested in the airport and in many ways, it is an investment in our future,'' Marcos said in a speech. Marcos noted that the postponed improvement of the airport has caused delayed and reduced number of flights, which he said also affects the Philippine economy. He also said that the bottom line of the airport's resurgence was not what it will bring to the coffers of the government but the comfort it will bring. Marcos said the restoration of the airport should go beyond its physical appearance. ''It requires major overhaul such as the rehabilitation of the passenger terminals, the airsight facilities, the development of commercial assets and utility systems, the provision of intermodal and int

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday admitted to facing a few setbacks in having the 63 Filipinos from Haiti get repatriated amid the ongoing violent gang activities there. “Right now, may difficulty. Sarado ang international airport and even land travel is hindered, lalo na ang travel to the capital. So sa ngayon, quietly, isinasaayos pa 'yung chartered flight pauwi,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said at a press conference Wednesday. (Right now, there is a difficulty. The international airport is closed and even land travel is hindered, especially the travel to the capital. Right now, the chartered flight home is still being arranged.) Cacdac said Monday that the 63 Filipinos who expressed willingness to get repatriated from Haiti may be sent back to the Philippines this week. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier raised the alert level in Haiti to 3, mandating voluntary repatriation for Filipinos "in view of the current unstable security si

NEW YORK — A 32-year-old Filipino was arrested by Honolulu Police on Sunday after allegedly trying to hijack a car in the Ala Moana area and causing chaos on the street. Island News reported that suspect Travis Coloma's actions had caused a six-car crash near the intersection of Ke'eaumoku Street and Kapiolani Boulevard. A concerned citizen, Jodi Asano, caught the chaos on video. In the footage, police vehicles can be seen pursuing Coloma, who was eventually apprehended following a brief scuffle. According to the arrest log of the Honolulu Police Department, Coloma has several pending cases and standing arrest warrants. The suspect is now facing multiple charges stemming from Sunday's incident, including carjacking, reckless driving, and resisting arrest. He is currently in police custody pending further legal proceedings. Local authorities are urging anyone with additional information regarding the incident to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. —K

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has raised the alert level in Haiti to 3, mandating voluntary repatriation. Alert Level 3 also prohibits the deployment of new and returning Filipinos to Haiti. In an advisory, the DFA said Alert Level 3 was raised "in view of the current unstable security situation in [Haiti]." There are 169 currently recorded Filipinos in Haiti, with the majority of them residing in Port-au-Prince, the DFA said. "Filipinos living in Haiti are advised to remain vigilant, to avoid public places, and to restrict non-essential movement," it added. A human rights group has reported wide spread killing, kidnappings, and abuse. Haiti citizens await the replacement of a prime minister who resigned from his post. Reuters reported that under international pressure and stranded in Puerto Rico, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation pending a temporary replacement a week ago, but the council set to choose his replacement has yet to

NEW YORK CITY — A Filipina is among the four individuals injured after a man with alleged mental health issues went on a stabbing spree over the weekend. The Filipina is identified as Bel Molina, 46 years old, from Leyte. Molina is currently still recovering after sustaining a stab wound that required three stitches for treatment. The Filipina was jogging home from the subway station on 54th Street when she encountered the suspect in a wheelchair. Initially assuming he was harmless, she ran past him on the sidewalk. It wasn't until she was close that she noticed he had a knife. Despite attempting to flee, she was still injured on her arm near the elbow. Molina has been a resident of the area for 12 years. She said this is the first time she has experienced such an incident. She also told GMA Integrated News that she never imagined such an attack would occur. This is not the first time that a suspect with mental conditions has attacked victims randomly in public places in N

PERTUSSIS The DOH in a statement reported a spike in pertussis cases in the Philippines. The agency said it recorded 453 cases of vaccine-preventable pertussis in the first 10 weeks of 2024. During the same period last year, the DOH only recorded a total of 23 pertussis cases. "Disruptions in routine immunization at primary care during the pandemic are seen to be the main reason why," the health department said. Pertussis or whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial respiratory infection that causes influenza-like symptoms of mild fever, colds, and coughs 7 to 10 days after exposure, the DOH said. "This cough, in typical cases, will develop into a characteristic hacking cough. Pertussis can be treated by antibiotics, but it is best prevented through vaccination." MEASLES AND RUBELLA The DOH said it has recorded a total of 569 measles and rubella cases, as of February 24. All regions, except for Bicol and Central Visayas, reported an increase in meas

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Wednesday revealed no penalty would be given to the teacher who went viral on social media for scolding her students. Duterte said she saw the teacher's explanation and tasked the regional director to remind the teacher to just slow down if she feels angry. "Ang una ko naging reaction is tao lang iyong teacher. Lahat tayo umaabot sa punto na nagagalit tayo, lalo 'pag nafu-frustrate tayo. This is especially true sa mga teachers dahil ang teachers natin hindi lang isa na tao ang kausap nila. Ang isang klase ay merong from 25 to 45, sometimes 55 students," she told reporters in Cambodia. (For me, teachers are only human. We reach a point where we get angry especially if we are frustrated. This is especially true for teachers because they don't just to talk to one person. A class often has 25 to 45 students., sometimes 55 students.) "Nakita ko iyong explanation niya, and then sinabihan ko ang regional

Davao City police are ready to be deployed to assist the lead agency in arresting televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, after he failed to appear in Senate hearings regarding sexual abuse allegations. Police Captain Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson of the Davao City Police, said they are still waiting for coordination with the Senate's Sergeant-at-Arms, and are ready to assist them in the arrest of the controversial pastor. "Pag-mag coordinate po sila sa amin, mas mabuti, para maiwasan natin kung may gulo. Iwasan natin na magkagulo dito sa Davao City," Tuazon said Thursday. Quiboloy arrest ordered by Zubiri Tuazon said the Calinan and Buhangin Police Stations, where Quiboloy's prayer mountain and church are located, are also on alert on the developments regarding the church leader's whereabouts. "Sa pagdakip, i-ano pa namin yan from the chief operations at sa chief ng warrant section namin, pero i-assure po namin na ang DCPO ay ready anytime kung magpunta dito ang se

Defense chief, secretary of state challenge Russia, China in separate remarks Tuesday RAMSTEIN AIR BASE/MANILA: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin promised Tuesday that the United States will not let Ukraine fail in fighting off Russia, even as further aid remains stalled in Congress and Kyiv’s forces face shortages of munitions. In Manila, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States stands by its “ironclad” commitments to defend longtime ally the Philippines against armed attack in the South China Sea. Blinken’s visit to Manila is his second since Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos took office in 2022 and is part of a brief Asia tour. The two statements come as the United States attempts to reinforce support for its allies amid world-wide instability. The Republican-led House of Representatives has been blocking $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine and the United States has warned that a recent $300 million package would only last a few weeks. The “United St

Law allowing arrest of migrants placed on hold hours after Supreme Court puts it into force WASHINGTON: A Texas law that would allow state police to arrest and deport migrants who cross illegally into the United States from Mexico was again placed on hold late Tuesday, the latest in an ongoing legal back-and-forth over its fate. The administration of Democratic President Joe Biden has strongly opposed the law, known as Senate Bill 4, arguing that the federal government has authority over immigration matters, not individual states. "SB 4 will not only make communities in Texas less safe, it will also burden law enforcement, and sow chaos and confusion at our southern border," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. "SB 4 is just another example of Republican officials politicizing the border while blocking real solutions." A federal judge last month temporarily blocked the law passed by the Republican majority in the Texas state legis

Palestinians shiver from fear, cold as rainwater seeps through tents, thunder sounds like rockets RAFAH: Torrential rains lashed a tent camp for displaced people in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, where frightened Palestinian children can no longer distinguish between thunder and Zionist bombardment. The storm fell overnight Monday to Tuesday in the southernmost Gaza Strip city, adding to the anguish of Palestinians who fled Zionist attacks, many without warm clothes, blankets or proper footwear. Oum Abdullah Alwan said her children “screamed in fear” because “we can’t tell the difference between the sound of rain and the sound of shelling”. “’It’s shelling, Mum, we have to run,’” one of the children told Alwan, who was displaced from Jabalia further north, and now lives with more than a dozen family members in a tent in the makeshift camp. She asked her son: “Is that the sound of shelling?” He told her it was thunder. The rain, accompanied by biting winds, soaked foam mattresses an

Law to give government more power to curb dissent, curtailing people’s rights, freedoms HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s legislature unanimously passed a new national security law on Tuesday, introducing penalties such as life imprisonment for crimes related to treason and insurrection, and up to 20 years’ jail for the theft of state secrets. The law, which the United States, Britain and the European Union have warned could further curtail freedoms in Hong Kong, was fast-tracked through the city’s rubber-stamp legislature. “Today is a historic moment for Hong Kong,” city leader John Lee said after the vote, adding the law would come into effect on March 23. Commonly referred to as Article 23, the homegrown legislation will work in tandem with the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020 in the wake of huge and at times violent democracy protests. The new law punishes dozens of new and revamped offences under five categories: treason, insurrection, theft of state secrets and espionage

Gaza world’s biggest ‘open-air graveyard’, famine used as ‘weapon of war’ GAZA: Heavy fighting raged Monday in and around Gaza’s largest hospital complex where the Zionist army said it was battling Hamas fighters and told Palestinian civilians to flee the “dangerous combat zone”. While the army launched the predawn raid at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, the Zionist government deployed Mossad chief David Barnea to Qatar for renewed talks toward a ceasefire and captive release deal. Qatari and Egyptian mediators hope to pause or end the war that has devastated Gaza since Oct 7 attack — even as Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has doubled down on his vow to destroy Hamas. Gaza’s soaring civilian death toll, the large-scale devastation and the looming threat of famine for its 2.4 million people have hardened opposition to the Zionist entity’s military campaign and siege. A UN-backed food security assessment warned that half of Gazans are experiencing “catastrophic” hunger, and

GAZA: Efforts to hammer out a temporary truce in Gaza intensified Tuesday after months of war that have devastated the Palestinian territory and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. While a UN-backed assessment said 300,000 people in Gaza’s north would face famine by May without a surge of aid, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said everyone in Gaza was now in need of humanitarian aid. UN human rights chief Volker Turk blamed the Zionist entity for the hunger crisis, telling reporters in Geneva they were blocking aid and conducting the conflict in a way that “may amount to the use of starvation as a method of war”. Zionist troops on Tuesday pressed an assault on Gaza’s biggest hospital, which they allege is being used for military purposes. Hamas said the assault on Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital was a war crime. The Zionist entity’s spy chief David Barnea was in Qatar on Monday for a new round of talks with Egyptian and Qatari mediators, after they failed to secure

RAFAH: Putrid rubbish piles and sewage-contaminated puddles are increasingly encroaching on the makeshift encampments of displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza, compounding the health risks facing people who have fled the Zionist entity’s invasion. “We suffer from foul smells and illnesses among children, who are always suffering from colds,” said Sayed Rafik Abu Shanab, who lives in the southern city of Rafah, where the majority of Gazans have sought refuge from the war. “The sewers here are infested with mosquitoes, which bite people and transfer infections to others.” While the United Nations warns of imminent famine, after more than five months of war between the Zionist entity and Hamas, humanitarian officials say fast-deteriorating sanitation conditions are making Gazans even more vulnerable. “Sanitation is one of the key drivers for the nutritional crisis, the health crisis, and I would even say food insecurity as well,” Jamie McGoldrick, UN humanitarian coordinator for the

Male students say their ‘sisters’ to go to school because ‘they are half of society’ KABUL: Schools in Afghanistan opened for the new academic year on Wednesday, with girls lamenting being banned from joining secondary-level classes for a third year in a row. Taleban authorities barred girls from secondary school in March 2022, after surging back to power in 2021 and imposing an austere vision of Islam with curbs the United Nations labels “gender apartheid”. On Wednesday morning, uniformed boys carried black and white Taleban flags as they lined the entrance of Kabul’s Amani school, where local officials arrived for the ceremonial start of the school year. But 18-year-old Kabul resident Zuhal Shirzad had to stay home when the school bell rang. “Every year when my brother went to school, I felt very disappointed,” she told AFP. “I was happy for him and sad for myself,” she said. “This winter, my brother was studying and preparing for the university entrance exam,” she added. “I loo