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UNRWA was last able to deliver aid to northern Gaza on January 23, says UN agency chief Philippe Lazzarini as he describes the “looming famine” as a “man-made disaster”. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday will conclude its six-day hearings into the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967. Israel is due to report to the ICJ on Monday on the progress it has made in implementing the top UN court’s last month’s order of preventing genocide in Gaza. This case was brought by South Africa. Netanyahu says military operation in Rafah “will be delayed somewhat” if a captives deal is reached, but “it will happen” regardless. At least 29,692 Palestinians have been killed and 69,879 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from the October 7 attacks stands at 1,139. Dozens arrested as Israeli forces conduct raids across the occupied West Bank The Israeli military has arrested eight Palestinians, three children among them, from the Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governorate in the occupied West Bank, the Wafa news agency reports. Israeli forces stormed the village of Deir Ammar, west of Ramallah and arrested three 17-year-olds. They also stormed the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah, and arrested five Palestinians. Wafa also reports that the Israeli military has arrested eight people in Hebron Governorate. Four men were arrested from the town of Ithna, west of Hebron, while four people, including a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old, were arrested in the town of Beit Ummar. Six Palestinians, including a 16-year-old, have also been arrested in the Hizma and Al-Issawiya neighbourhoods of occupied East Jerusalem. Wafa also reports that Israeli forces have arrested “dozens” of Gazan workers in the city of Nablus. A Palestinian from Nablus was also arrested in the raids. Click here to share on social media Return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza not something Israel will ‘allow’: Report One of the points of dispute in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas is the Palestinian group’s request to allow the return of displaced Gaza residents to their homes in the north of the Strip, says Israeli army radio correspondent Doron Kadosh in a post on X. According to the post, Israel rejects the notion altogether, saying it’s not something it will “allow” as it wants to avoid a potential return of Hamas members. Separately, Israel is reportedly considering setting up tent cities in Gaza’s central area and Khan Younis for residents who have lost their homes. More than 30 Palestinian fighters killed in 24 hours: Israeli military The Israeli military has released its daily update in which it also made other claims: In central Gaza, Israeli forces say they killed more than 10 Palestinian fighters. In Khan Younis, they claim to have killed a fighter armed with an RPG with the help of a fighter jet. With the use of snipers and tanks, the Israeli military claims to have killed an unspecified number of Palestinian fighters from close quarters in western Khan Younis. Click WATCH: Gaza residents embrace biking amid damaged roads, surging fuel prices People in Gaza have turned to bicycles for transport as the Israeli bombing of the Strip leaves full neighbourhoods, roads and cars destroyed. Some have set up makeshift repair shops to help put old bicycles to use. Watch our report below: Click here to share on social media Israeli industry minister meets Saudi counterpart at WTO conference Nir Barkat met his Saudi counterpart, Majid bin Abdullah Alkassabi, on the sidelines of a UAE-hosted WTO conference and voiced confidence that the countries can “make history together”, according to the Israeli economy and industry minister’s spokesperson. Before Israel’s war on Gaza, Saudi Arabia signalled its willingness to normalise relations with Israel in exchange for a US defence pact and civilian nuclear programme. However, after Israel began its military assault on the enclave, it appeared that Saudi Arabia had put the US-backed plans to normalise ties on ice. Saudi Arabia on Tuesday called for an end to decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, deeming it “illegal”. Saudi Ambassador Ziad al-Atiyah told the ICJ that “Israel’s actions indicate that it has no intention of making peace”. “The Israeli occupation is illegal and must be ended without conditions,” he added. Riyadh backs the international consensus that Israel must withdraw from lands it captured in the 1967 war for the realisation of a viable Palestinian state. The 1993 Oslo Accords raised hopes of a Palestinian state, but Israel has since built more settlements on Palestinian lands in violation of the pacts brokered by the US. Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/26/israels-war-on-gaza-live-man-made-disaster-as-israel-blocks-food-aid Click here to share on social

The newly-elected members of the Punjab Assembly, who clinched victory in the February 8 elections, took oath on Friday in the maiden session. The Punjab Assembly is the first house to convene its inaugural session, out of five assemblies that went to the elections on February 8. The session was scheduled to start at 10am, however, it faced a delay of more than two hours. The session was attended by 313 lawmakers out of which 215 belonged to the PML-N and its allied parties while 98 members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) also took oath. The secretary of the assembly said that the speaker and deputy speaker will be elected tomorrow (Saturday) via secret ballot. “Nomination papers for speaker and deputy speaker will be collected till 5pm and scrutinised today,” he added. At the outset of the delayed session, members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and SIC candidates chanted slogans against each other. Scores of newly-elected members arrived at the assembly including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President and CM nominee Maryam Nawaz. Punjab Assembly Speaker Sibtain Khan presided over the session. Talking to media persons outside the Punjab Assembly earlier, Speaker Muhammad Sibtain Khan said the elected MPAs should not be prevented from attending the assembly session. He admitted that some members got a level playing field while others were deprived of it. To a query, he said he came too early as sessions had been delayed in the past up to six hours. The speaker also said the election for the provincial assembly’s speaker and deputy speaker would be held on Saturday (tomorrow). Members not being allowed to enter: SIC During the session, members of PML-N and SIC exchanged barbs with the latter saying that their members were not being allowed to enter the assembly. The SIC has around 97 members inside the assembly while PML-N has 215 members. SIC members tried talking to the assembly speaker, however, they were told that they would be heard once they took an oath. “The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has not yet [issued a list] of reserved seats,” said Speaker Sibtain. PML-N leader Uzma Bokhari said that none of the members can speak unless they take an oath. “The decision on some reserved seats is still not taken due to their ineligibility. We currently have a two-thirds majority after forming an alliance,” she said. Bokhari said that her party respects the decision and wants to work with them. “Sindh Assembly session is convened tomorrow and National Assembly session will also be called in a couple of days,” she said. Punjab police stopping members from entering assembly: PTI On the other hand, PTI has claimed that the Punjab police was stopping its elected members from participating in the session and from taking the oath. “All these police officers are standing here so they can attempt arrest on our CM candidate Mian Aslam Iqbal,” it claimed. Speaking to media persons outside PA, PML-N leader Ishaq Dar said if the PTI founder has written anything against the country’s interest then it is condemnable. “The letter by the PTI founder has no importance,” he said. Source:https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1160661-newly-elected-members-reach-punjab-assembly-as-maiden-session-faces-delay

At least four people were killed and up to 14 others remain missing after a large blaze ripped through an apartment building in Valencia on Thursday, according to authorities in the Spanish city. Jorge Suárez, the city’s deputy director of emergencies, said firefighters struggled to contain the blaze and were working “exclusively” on cooling the building’s exteriors. Given the “characteristics of the building,” firefighters had not been able to enter to address the fire from inside, he added. At least 14 people were injured in the blaze, with most taken to local medical centers, Suárez said. Among those treated for injuries are at least six firefighters, Valencia’s Emergency Services said on social platform X. Footage from the scene shows the entire complex ablaze as flames tear through apartments and thick smoke billows overhead. In one video, fire crews can be seen rescuing people from a balcony as the fire rages behind them. The fire started around 5:30 p.m. local time [11.30 a.m. ET] in the Campanar neighborhood, and 16 firefighting units were sent to the scene, emergency services told CNN en Espanol. Suárez said firefighters were analyzing the building to assess if there’s a risk of it collapsing. The fire raged into the evening as nearby residents looked on in horror, with one telling Reuters the scenes were “tremendous, unbelievable – I can’t believe it.” Valencia Mayor María José Alcalá told residents in a post on X to avoid the scene to help rescue services. Hotel rooms were being organized for people whose homes were affected by the fire, emergency services said. Three days of official mourning have been declared starting Friday, the mayor said. “There are no words that describe the enormous pain that the city of Valencia is feeling right now,” she said. “All our support and deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims.” Source:https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/22/europe/spain-valencia-apartment-fire-intl/index.html

Israeli army shelling of residential homes in central Gaza kills at least 40 Palestinians, local authorities say. The UN’s top court is hearing arguments from more than 50 states following a request by the UN General Assembly to issue a non-binding opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation. With Western donors freezing funds, UN agency UNRWA says it has reached “breaking point” during a time of “unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza”. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that Israeli forces have re-entered the besieged Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after withdrawing from it briefly amid deteriorating conditions at the medical centre. At least 29,514 Palestinians have been killed and 69,616 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from the October 7 attacks stands at 1,139. Israeli strike kills two paramedics in southern Lebanon Lebanon’s civil defence says two of its paramedics have been killed in an Israeli air strike on a healthcare centre in Lebanon’s southern town of Bint Jbeil. Lebanon’s Health Ministry strongly condemned Thursday’s deadly attack, which also resulted in the complete destruction of the civil defence facility, along with damage to a number of ambulances belonging to the centre. Click Namibia remembers painful colonial history in ICJ remarks on Israel’s occupation Namibia’s Justice Minister Yvonne Dausab has taken the floor at the ICJ, demanding the court recognises Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as illegal. She made the following points: “Namibia considers it a moral duty and a sacred responsibility to appear before this court” and address the question of the “indefensible occupation of Palestine by Israel.” The parallels between Palestine and Namibia are “striking and painful”. Instead of exerting their right to govern themselves, “Palestinians and Namibians suffered the loss of human dignity … and the outright theft of their land and natural resources”. Namibia still suffers from the effects of a long and unlawful occupation. The ICJ “played a vital role in our liberation struggle”. In its 1971 opinion, the court confirmed the right to self-determination as a “legal imperative”, paving the way to Namibia’s independence in 1990. Because of Namibia’s experience with apartheid, “we cannot look the other way in the face of the brutal atrocities committed against the Palestinian people”. We ask the court “not to look away either”, she added. Click What is Netanyahu’s post-war Gaza plan? Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu has presented the security cabinet with a document regarding the “management” of Gaza after the war, the Times of Israel has reported. Here are its main points: The Israeli army will continue the war in Gaza until it achieves its goals: the dismantlement of military capabilities and infrastructure operated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad; the return of all captives abducted on October 7; and the removal of all security threats originating from Gaza. Once the war ends, Gaza will be run by “local officials” who are not tied to “countries or entities that support terrorism”. It is unclear whether representatives of the Palestinian Authority will be involved. Israel will promote a “de-radicalisation plan … in all religious, educational and welfare institutions in Gaza” with the involvement of “Arab countries that have experience in promoting de-radicalisation”. The plan envisions Gaza’s “complete demilitarisation … beyond what is required for the needs of maintaining public order”. Israel will only allow the reconstruction of Gaza to begin after the completion of the Gaza’s de-militarisation and the commencement of a “de-radicalisation process”. The Israeli army will maintain indefinitely the freedom to intervene in Gaza to prevent the resurgence of “terror activity”. Israel will continue to establish a security buffer zone on the Palestinian side of the Strip’s border that will remain in place “as long as there is a security need for it”. Israel will enforce a “southern closure” on the border between Egypt and Gaza with assistance from the US and in cooperation with Egypt “as much as possible”. Israel will maintain security control “over the entire area west of Jordan” from the land, air and sea to “thwart threats” from the occupied West Bank. The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, will be shut. Israel rejects any international dictates regarding a permanent settlement with the Palestinians, which should only be reached through direct negotiations between the parties, and will continue to oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, which it views as a “reward for terror”. Click here to share on ‘Beaten, stripped, used as human shield’: Gaza victim recalls terror Maram Humaid Reporting from Deir el-Balah, Gaza Blood all over his face, eyes swollen, Ramadan Shamlakh arrived at a hospital after passersby found him struggling to walk southwards from northern Gaza. The 21-year-old man said he had endured beatings, a stripping and a war crime – he was used as a human shield – by Israeli soldiers when they raided his family home in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood. “We were telling them that we are civilians and it is not our fault, but to no avail,” the young man said, while receiving treatment at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. After a period of torture and interrogation, the soldiers who had raided his home ordered Shamlakh to take off his clothes, remain in his underwear, and head south. “I was walking with great difficulty, my body bleeding and my face coated in blood. The cold chilled me to the bone, and I shivered uncontrollably.” Gaza resident brutally assaulted by Israeli soldiers [Abdelhakim Abu Riash/Al Jazeera] Click At least 29,514 Palestinians killed in Gaza: Ministry At least 29,514 people have been killed in Gaza by Israeli attacks since October 7, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry which added that another 69,616 people have been injured. More than 100 people have been killed in the past 24 hours. Click Palestinian presidency rejects Netanyahu’s post-war Gaza plan The Palestinian presidency has rejected Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan for the future of Gaza, saying it continues Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories and prevents the

Biden calls Putin a “crazy S.O.B.” Kremlin responds comments a “huge disgrace” to US From CNN’s Anna Chernova US President Joe Biden speaks during an event at the Julian Dixon Library in Culver City, California, on February 21. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images US President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “crazy S.O.B.” at a fundraiser Wednesday in San Francisco, drawing sharp criticism from the Kremlin. According to pool reporters traveling with the president, Biden said: “We have a crazy S.O.B. that guy, Putin, others. And we always have to be worried about a nuclear conflict. But the existential threat to humanity is climate,” Biden said. In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the “rude” statements were “unlikely to offend in any way the head of another country, especially President Putin but this is a huge disgrace for the country.” “Clearly, Mr. Biden is demonstrating behavior in the style of a Hollywood cowboy to cater to domestic political interests,” he said Thursday, responding to a question from a reporter for state-owned network Russia 1. CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg contributed to this report. Analysis: Europe faces difficult questions over Ukraine funding Analysis from CNN’s Luke McGee President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a joint press conference with President of the European Council Charles Michel in Brussels, Belgium on February 1. The 27 EU leaders and heads of states discuss the 2021-2027 budgetary plan and the financial of a 50 billion Euro support package for Ukraine in addition to military, political, economic, diplomatic and humanitarian aid. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto/Getty Images As the world prepares to mark the second anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s Ukraine invasion, Europe must ask itself some searching questions about the war that unexpectedly erupted on its borders — and how it will approach the next 12 months. Arguably most important among those questions: How long can it practically sustain such draining financial support for Ukraine? While the West’s resounding support for Ukraine since 2022 has surprised many in the diplomatic world, the longer the war drags on, the more fatigue sets in as the bills grow. Between there being no end to the conflict in sight, and competition for political attention in the Middle East — as well as domestic concerns from inflation-led cost-of-living crises around the world — spending huge sums on Ukraine could become politically harder to stomach for governments. It’s morning in Ukraine. Here’s what you should know From CNN staff Civilians walk on a road as a tank drives by in a village nearby Avdiivka frontline on February 20. Narciso Contreras/Anadolu/Getty Images President Vladimir Putin’s former speechwriter has said that discontent toward the leader is on the rise in Russian society. Abbas Gallyamov noted that Russia’s capture of the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka will be a key factor to “suppress this discontent” and “strengthen Putin’s domestic standing” ahead of the Russian elections. Referring to people reportedly detained across Russia over vigils for opposition figure Alexey Navalny, Gallyamov said “sooner or later this will definitely backfire” because the discontent in society is growing and “at some moment it can become very strong.” Gallyamov said Putin is trying to get rid of all the opposition leaders to at least make discontent in Russian society be “unstructured,” “disorganized” and “leaderless” ahead of future elections. Here are the latest developments in the region: US-Russia citizen charged with treason: A US-Russian dual citizen charged with treason when she visited her hometown in Russia had intended to see her grandparents and did not anticipate she would be arrested, her boyfriend told CNN. According to her American employer, she was detained because she donated $51.80 to a Ukrainian charity while she was in the US. Commenting on Karelina’s case, a Russian investigative journalist said FSB is trying to keep tabs on everyone with a US passport who comes to Russia. Territory disputes: Russia said it captured Krynky, a key village on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. But Ukraine’s armed forces have denied the claim. In eastern Ukraine, footage geolocated by CNN showed Russian forces hoisting their flag over the Donetsk village of Pobieda, near Mariinka. Jets down: Ukraine shot down seven Russian fighter jets over the past seven days, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine’s armed forces said Russia has lost 338 aircraft since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, the general staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported. Sanctions: The UK is sanctioning six individuals who were in charge of the “Polar Wolf” penal colony, where Russian opposition leader Navalny died last week. The US, too, will unveil a new sanctions package against Russia on Friday in response to Navalny’s death. Detainees drafted: Some of the men detained at vigils for Navalny in Russia’s city of St. Petersburg were handed military draft summonses, according to a human rights monitor. Another ambassador summoned: Canada has joined a growing list of nations that have summoned the Russian ambassador to their countries over Navalny’s death. Former Putin speechwriter says discontent toward Putin in Russian society is on the rise From CNN’s Mariya Knight Discontent toward Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russian society is on the rise, according to Abbas Gallyamov, Putin’s former speechwriter. Gallyamov noted that Russia’s capture of Avdiivka will be a key factor to “suppress this discontent” and “strengthen Putin’s domestic standing” ahead of Russian elections. If there were no victory in Avdiivka, Putin would fail to “solidify his control” over Russia, Gallyamov told CNN’s Brianna Keilar Wednesday. This military gain gave him “an additional injection of legitimacy” and is very beneficial for his presidential campaign. Talking about people reportedly detained across Russia over vigils for opposition figure Alexey Navalny, Gallyamov said “sooner or later this will definitely backfire” because the discontent in society is growing and “at some moment it can become very strong.” Gallyamov said Putin is trying to get rid of all the opposition leaders to at least make discontent in Russian society be “unstructured,” “disorganized” and “leaderless” ahead of future elections Source:https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-02-22-24/index.html

The inaugural session of the 18th Punjab Assembly will be conducted at 10am tomorrow (Friday), Geo News reported on Thursday. The recently elected members of the provincial assembly, who won the February 8 general elections, will take oath in tomorrow’s session. Punjab Governor Baligh Ur Rehman has issued a notification to convene a meeting of the Punjab Assembly, while Speaker Sibtain Khan will administer the oath to the newly elected members. Khan would be administering the oath to the newly elected lawmakers as the speaker withholds his position till a new speaker is elected by the new house. With the summons, the Punjab Assembly also becomes the first legislative body that will take oath post-election. The announcement comes a day after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) held its parliamentary meeting at the Jati Umra in Lahore. According to the PML-N sources, 218 members — including independent members, PML-N MPAs as well as members nominated for reserved seats — attended the meeting presided over by Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz. Sources said 137 successful candidates of PMLN, 58 women nominated for specific seats and more than 22 independent members, who joined the PMLN after the elections, were present. It merits a mention that 186 members were required to form the government. Among the newly elected members, Maryam will be one of the new entrants to step foot inside the provincial legislature as an elected member. She is also nominated as the party’s candidate for the chief minister slot after her victory from both the national and provincial assembly seats — NA-119 and PP-159, respectively — in the February 8 polls. During the meeting on Wednesday, Maryam pledged to serve the province in a way that would “set records” of good governance in the country. Revealing her game plan for Punjab in a media talk, the CM-hopeful said: “A new era will usher in Punjab. I congratulate the PML-N for securing victory [and gaining a majority in the Punjab Assembly].” If voted into power, Maryam will become the first woman to be elected as a chief minister in Pakistan’s seven-decade-plus history. She will take over the province with a population of more than 127 million people, more than half of Pakistan’s population. “This was a tough election, I thank the people of Punjab for providing us with a clear majority. We will set records of service; I haven’t rested since the election results, all of us will have to work as a team,” she added. Maryam, who holds the portfolios of PML-N’s senior vice-president and chief organiser, said it was a “huge honour” for her to be nominated as Punjab’s first chief minister and dedicated it to the “daughters, mothers, sisters, and reserved seats’ women”. The CM nominee said the province faces “major challenges” in the health care and education sectors as well as the local government. “There’s also a huge issue of sewage, clean water in rural areas.” Maryam told the newly-elected MPAs that they would have to view Punjab’s 297 constituencies as 297 districts in order to ensure development in every lawmaker’s constituency. Source:https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1160325-newly-elected-members-to-take-oath-in-first-punjab-assembly-session-tomorrow

Gaza has become a death zone”: WHO chief says “inhumane” health and humanitarian situation worsens. Palestine Red Crescent Society warns of dire situation at al-Amal Hospital in Khan Younis as Israeli siege continues for 30th day. Medical charity MSF “outraged” by Israeli attack on its shelter in al-Mawasi that killed two family members of staff and injured six. Residents of northern Gaza Strip have only animal feed to eat for past three weeks, says head of Gaza’s government media office. At least 29,313 Palestinians killed and 69,333 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from the October 7 attacks stands at 1,139. Hamas says Jerusalem shooting ‘natural response’ to Israeli massacres Hamas has said the attack on a highway near the Maale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank is a “natural response to the [Israeli] occupation’s massacres and crimes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank”. We reported earlier that at least three people were killed and eight wounded during the shooting this morning, with Israeli police saying two gunmen were killed and a third arrested. Hamas also raised concerns about Israel’s planned restrictions for Arabs at the Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan. Click here to share on social media Iran says ICJ opinion can set ground for saving thousands of innocent people Raza Najafi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, says at the ICJ that “we remain at a turning point in the history of mankind”. “The opinion of this court can set the ground for saving the lives of thousands of innocent women and children and contribute to the legitimate demand of the people deprived of their inherent right to self-determination,” he said. Najafi then listed a series of measures that, he said, constitute the ongoing violation by the Israeli occupying regime: Prolonged occupation Altering demographic composition in the occupied territories Altering the character and the status of the Holy City Discriminatory measures Violations of the rights of Palestinian people to permanent sovereignty over their natural resources Click here to share on social media China calls for two-state solution at ICJ Ma Xinmin, a Foreign Ministry legal adviser, says that China “has consistently supported the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate right”. “Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed on multiple occasions that China calls for a comprehensive ceasefire and the early solution to the question of Palestine on the basis of a two-state solution through negotiation,” he said. “In pursuit of the right to self-determination”, he states, the Palestinian people’s use of force to “resist foreign oppression” and complete the establishment of an independent state is an “inalienable right”. Click If you’re just joining us It’s 11:30am (09:30 GMT) in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel. Here are some of the latest developments: Three people were killed and eight wounded in a shooting attack near the Maale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank. Turkey pushed for a ceasefire and two-state solution at the G20 meeting. A report by US intelligence assessed with “low confidence” that a handful of UNWRA staff participated in the October 7 attacks on Israel, according to the Wall Street Journal. US official Brett McGurk and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh visited Cairo amid efforts to broker a truce deal. The Israeli military said it intercepted air attacks from the Red Sea. Click Missile attack causes fire on vessel off Yemen coast: UK agency We now have more information on the attack reported off Yemen’s coast. The missile attack targeted a vessel transiting the Gulf of Aden and caused a fire on board, the British maritime security agency said. “A vessel was attacked by two missiles, resulting in a fire onboard,” the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said, adding that “coalition forces are responding”. Gaza death toll rises The death toll from Israel’s war on Gaza has increased to 29,410 since October 7, the Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement. At least 69,465 people have been wounded. Click Israeli minister says ‘our right to life overrides the Palestinians’ freedom of movement’ Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has said Palestinians’ freedom of movement should be restricted, following a shooting attack on a highway near the Maale Adumim settlement in the occupied West Bank that we reported on earlier. “Our right to life overrides the Palestinians’ freedom of movement,” Ben-Gvir said, according to Israeli media reports. “I will fight for barriers around the villages that will limit the freedom of movement of the residents of the Palestinian Authority.” At least three people were killed and eight wounded during the shooting this morning, with Israeli police saying two gunmen were killed and a third arrested. Source:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/2/22/israels-war-on-gaza-live-gaza-has-become-a-death-zone-says-who-chief

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will be the prime minister and president, respectively, as both allies are set to form the next government. After days-long parleys and much uncertainty, top leaders from both parties confirmed that they were once again joining forces to form the government “in the nation’s interest”. While the politicos did not reveal much, sources told Geo News that the Senate chairman and Punjab governor would be from PPP, while Sindh and Balochistan’s governors and National Assembly’s speaker would be from the PML-N. “The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz now have complete numbers and we are in the position to form the next government,” PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told a press conference in Islamabad alongside top leaders from both the parties late Tuesday. No political party secured a simple majority in the February 8 elections, forcing parties to join hands in their bid to come into power, but the delay of an agreement had raised eyebrows. After the Feb 8 polls, the PTI-backed independent candidates controlled the most National Assembly seats (92) followed by the PML-N (79) and the PPP (54). While parties were wheeling and dealing over the government formation, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had allied with the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) to ensure it gets the required numbers through reserved seats in the assemblies. However, the PPP chief told reporters that the SIC did not have sufficient numbers to form the next government in the Centre. Bilawal said Shehbaz would be the next prime minister and Zardari would be the joint candidate for both parties for the president’s slot. He added that both parties would form the next government to pull the country out of the ongoing crises and expressed hope that they would be able to deliver. To a question regarding PML-N leader Ishaq Dar’s nomination as Senate chairman, Bilawal replied that decisions were taken in the meetings, but would be announced separately by each party. “If we look at the past, we have announced the coalition and made decisions with consensus very quickly compared to previous tenures,” he continued. PPP Co-chairman Zardari said that he wants to assure people that their struggle is for “you, Pakistan, and the coming generations”. “We have come to terms on the point that we have to ensure Pakistan’s success for the coming generations,” he added. ‘Middle point’ Speaking on the occasion, PML-N’s Shehbaz said that he had asked the PTI-backed winning candidates to prove their majority and form the government, but they didn’t have sufficient numbers. “We have sufficient numbers to form the next government,” he added. The PML-N stalwart also thanked Bilawal and Zardari for their cooperation. Shehbaz said that both parties decided that Zardari would be fielded as the joint candidate for the post of president. Responding to a question about whether the PPP was getting any portfolios, Shehbaz said that the Bilawal-led party hasn’t demanded any ministry from the first day. “Parleys take place between two parties and issues are resolved through [mutual consultation]. It doesn’t mean that we accept their demands or they accept ours; they have their views but reaching a middle point is the real political success,” he said. The former prime minister added that the decisions on the “offices” would be made mutually later under the guidance of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and the PPP’s top leadership. Shehbaz also thanked the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, who will be part of the next government. He vowed the upcoming coalition government would restore the country’s economy and fight against the menace of terrorism. The PML-N leader said that the alliance would bring economic progress and development to the country. He said they would take measures to increase agricultural and industrial production in the country. Source:https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1159717-bilawal-addresses-presser-after-days-long-ppp-pml-n-govt-formation-meeting

A European Space Agency satellite is expected to reenter and largely burn up in Earth’s atmosphere on Wednesday morning. The agency’s Space Debris Office, along with an international surveillance network, is monitoring and tracking the Earth-observing ERS-2 satellite, which is predicted to make its reentry at 11:32 a.m. ET Wednesday, with about a 4.5-hour window of uncertainty. The ESA is also providing live updates on its website. “As the spacecraft’s reentry is ‘natural’, without the possibility to perform manoeuvers, it is impossible to know exactly where and when it will reenter the atmosphere and begin to burn up,” according to a statement from the agency. The exact time of the satellite’s reentry remains unclear due to the unpredictability of solar activity, which can change the density of Earth’s atmosphere and how the atmosphere tugs on the satellite. As the sun nears its 11-year cycle’s peak, known as solar maximum, solar activity has been ramping up. Solar maximum is expected to occur later this year.  Related article‘Odie’ lunar mission takes off, aiming for historic US moon landing The sun’s increased activity already had an impact on speeding up the reentry of the ESA’s Aeolus satellite in July 2023. The ERS-2 satellite has an estimated mass of 5,057 pounds (2,294 kilograms) after depleting its fuel, making it similar in size to other space debris that reenters Earth’s atmosphere every week or so, according to the agency. At around 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth’s surface, the satellite is expected to break apart and the majority of the fragments will burn up in the atmosphere. The agency said that some fragments could reach the planet’s surface, but they won’t contain any harmful substances and will most likely fall into the ocean. ERS-2’s backstory The Earth-observing ERS-2 satellite first launched on April 21, 1995, and it was the most sophisticated satellite of its kind at the time to be developed and launched by Europe. Along with its twin, ERS-1, the satellite collected valuable data on the planet’s polar caps, oceans and land surfaces and observed disasters like flooding and earthquakes in remote areas. The data gathered by ERS-2 is still used today, according to the agency. In 2011, the agency decided to end the satellite’s operations and deorbit it, rather than adding to the swirl of space junk orbiting the planet. The satellite executed 66 deorbiting maneuvers in July and August of 2011 before the mission officially concluded later that year on September 11. The maneuvers burned through the rest of the satellite’s fuel and decreased its altitude, setting ERS-2’s orbit on a trajectory to slowly spiral closer to Earth and reenter the atmosphere within 15 years. The chances of an individual person being injured by space debris each year are less than 1 in 100 billion, about 1.5 million times lower than the risk of being killed in an accident at home, according to the agency. Source:https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/19/world/ers-2-european-space-agency-satellite-reentry-scn/index.html

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) hears arguments from 52 countries and three international organisations this week – the largest number of parties to participate in any single World Court case. The 15-judge panel is asked to review Israel’s “occupation, settlement and annexation” as well as policies “aimed at altering the demographic composition, character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem”. The six-day hearings are based on a request by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for a nonbinding advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s policies in the occupied Palestinian territories. Israel is not taking part in this week’s oral arguments and reacted angrily to the 2022 UNGA request of the ICJ with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling it “despicable” and “disgraceful”. US concludes remarks advocating for two-state solution The ongoing suffering in Gaza and the rise in violence in the West Bank reinforces the US’ resolve to urgently achieve a “final peace”, which requires the “full realisation of Palestinian self-determination”. This means a Palestinian state living alongside an Israeli state, Visek says. “The lack of meaningful progress in a negotiated end to the conflict cannot and must not persist,” he added. “This conflict cannot be resolved through violence or unilateral actions. Negotiations are the path to a lasting peace.” Click More from Visek The US representative says that international law has a central and important role to play within the established framework set forth by the Security Council and General Assembly. The challenge for the court, he says, is how to provide its advice in a way that “promotes the framework” rather than “disrupting its balance, potentially making the possibility of negotiations even more difficult”. He says that under the established framework, “a movement towards Israel’s withdrawal from the West Bank and Gaza requires consideration of Israel’s very real security needs” he says. We were all reminded of those security needs on October 7, and they persist,” he says before adding, “Regrettably, those needs have been ignored by many of the participants in asserting how the court should consider the questions before it”. Click ‘Land for peace’ remains only possible framework: US Visek argued the UN has already established the principle by which the withdrawal of Israeli forces relies on “the termination of belligerence and respect of Israel’s right to live peacefully in the region”. This principle is recognised as “land for peace” and was also adopted by Israelis and Palestinians in the Oslo Accords, he said. “This remains the only basis to achieve a lasting peace and the framework for ongoing US efforts.” The World Court can play a role in promoting this framework without “undermining the maintenance of peace and security”. “The US is by no means suggesting there is no role for the court or that it should not rule on violations of international law, but in exercising its advisory role it must take into consideration the extent to which the UN Security Council has already taken action to address the matter, including in its Resolution 2720 in December that reiterated the need for a two-state solution,” said the State Department official. Richard Visek, left, at the World Court in 2019 [File: Peter Dejong/AP] Click here to share on social media Richard Visek of the US State Department takes the floor Since the UN General Assembly first requested the ICJ’s advisory opinion, the international community has confronted “the horror of the terrorist attacks of October 7” and ensuing war on Gaza that has had “severe widespread and tragic consequences for Palestinian civilians”. The United States is “engaging intensively with the Palestinians, with Israel and with other states in the region” not only to address the current crisis, but “to advance a political settlement that will lead to a durable peace in the region that includes lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians, and a path to Palestinian statehood”. “There is broad international support for achieving a negotiated solution to the conflict that will give rise to a Palestinian state,” said Visek. UAE delivers concluding remarks The UAE’s Nusseibeh requested the following from the ICJ’s advisory: Israel must end its siege of Gaza, let aid in and stop the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population. “In practical terms, it must mean a ceasefire,” she said. Israel must dismantle settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and prevent acts of violence perpetrated by settlers. States must cooperate to bring Israel’s breaches to an end. “Israel’s administration of East Jerusalem constitutes annexation of territory on which the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination. International law is unequivocal in this respect. All measures by Israel that affect or aim to alter the status of East Jerusalem are null and void and have no legal effect.” “Israelis and Palestinians must thrive side by side in their own independent, prosperous and secure states,” she said. Click here to share on social media Israel hinders access for Muslims and Christians to holy places: UAE Lana Nusseibeh is now focusing on Israel’s actions in occupied East Jerusalem. “Israel has, in agreements with Jordan and with the Holy See, committed to the historic status quo and freedom of access to the holy places in Jerusalem. It is, therefore, gravely disconcerting that Israel has taken, and continues to take, measures which undermine the special character of Jerusalem and erase its cultural heritage.” Israel is in breach of its obligations by “repeatedly interfering with the holy places and hindering freedom of access to them”. Since the start of Israel’s occupation in 1967, “Muslims and Christians have been impeded from worshipping at their holiest sites.” Israeli forces stop Muslim worshippers at Lion’s Gate as they make their way to Al-Aqsa Mosque [File: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP Click Israeli violations ‘worsening at an alarming pace’ Nusseibeh outlined how the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories rapidly deteriorated over the past year. “The level of human suffering for people in Gaza is on a level rarely seen in human history. Israel has imposed a policy of collective punishment on the Palestinian people,” she said. Last