Category: World

Lebanon’s Hezbollah claimed it launched rockets and weaponized drones at nine Israeli military sites in a coordinated attack, escalating hostilities on Lebanon’s southern border. The attacks were in retaliation for an Israeli strike that killed a senior Hezbollah commander. Hezbollah said it fired volleys of rockets and launched its largest drone attack to date, targeting Israeli military locations and headquarters. The escalation comes after Hezbollah lost over 300 fighters in recent Israeli strikes. REUTERS

The UN’s annual “Children in Armed Conflict” report reveals violence against children reached “extreme levels” in 2023, with a 21% increase in grave violations. The Sudanese army, Rapid Support Forces, Hamas, and Israeli army were blacklisted. Over 30,000 violations were verified, including 5,301 killings and 6,348 injuries of children. The conflicts in Gaza and Sudan saw drastic spikes in child casualties and violations. AFP

China has urged the BRICS nations to play a greater global role and be inclusive, amid mounting Western sanctions on Chinese companies over issues like supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The European Union is also set to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Tensions are escalating as the G7 plans to warn smaller Chinese banks against helping Russia evade Western sanctions.

A boat carrying over 200 migrants sank off Yemen’s coast, leaving at least 39 dead and 150 missing, the International Organization for Migration said. The tragedy highlights the perilous migration route from Africa to the Gulf, with the agency recording at least 698 deaths on the route in 2023 alone. Survivors were provided immediate aid as migrants often face further dangers in war-torn Yemen while attempting to reach Gulf countries for work. Representational image. Photo: AFP

According to new UNICEF estimates, nearly 400 million children under age 5 globally experience violent physical or psychological discipline at home, like spanking or insults. Around 330 million face physical punishment. Though more countries are banning corporal punishment, nearly 500 million young kids lack legal protection. UNICEF says positive, nurturing parenting aids child development, but data shows many children lack adequate playtime, toys and meaningful interaction vital for cognitive and emotional growth. UNICEF urges recommitting to ending violence against kids on the first International Day of Play. AFP

Malawi’s president says all available resources are being deployed to find a missing military plane carrying Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others. The plane lost contact after failing to land in Mzuzu due to bad weather. Search operations continue despite unconfirmed reports of a crash. The president has sought international help, including specialized technologies, and canceled an overseas trip. Chilima, previously stripped of powers over a bribery case, had the charges recently dropped. Photo: AFP

A Norwegian study found that 2023 witnessed the highest number of armed conflicts globally since World War II, with 59 conflicts, 28 of which were in Africa. While the number of countries experiencing conflicts decreased, the number of combat deaths, though halved from the previous year to around 122,000, was still the third highest since 1989 due to the Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The rise in conflicts is attributed to the spread of Islamic State and the involvement of more non-state actors. Photo: Reuters

At least nine pilgrims were killed and 33 others injured when their bus, reportedly attacked by terrorists, plunged into a gorge in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district. The pilgrims were on their way to the Shivkhodi cave temple. Empty bullet casings were found at the accident site. Kashmir has witnessed an insurgency by rebel groups demanding independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989. The conflict has left many dead. Violence has fallen since 2019 when India revoked Kashmir’s autonomy.

Fashion designer Camilo Morales is upcycling vinyl political advertisements from Mexico’s recent elections into bags, clothing and accessories. His latest raw material is the ubiquitous campaign banners, which he cuts up and sews into tote bags sold for 100-600 pesos ($5-$33). Morales says the election season was “ridiculous” with ads proliferating quickly. His pieces range from plain white backgrounds to collages featuring candidate imagery like shadowed eyes. It’s his way of repurposing the campaign materials.Photo: Reuters

Spain has announced that it will join South Africa’s case against Israel at the UN’s International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Pretoria has accused Israel of “genocide” during its military offensive in Gaza. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated their goal is to end the war and advance the two-state solution. Several Latin American nations have already joined the proceedings, but Spain is the first European country to do so. The ICJ’s rulings are legally binding, though it lacks enforcement mechanisms. Photo: AFP

The mayor of Cotija town in Mexico’s Michoacan state, Yolanda Sanchez Figueroa, was murdered on Monday, just a day after Claudia Sheinbaum’s historic election as the country’s first woman president. Sanchez, who was previously kidnapped by a criminal cartel, was gunned down on a public road. Authorities have launched a security operation to arrest the killers in the violence-ridden state, which is plagued by drug trafficking and extortion gangs. Photo: AFP

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expects airlines to fly a record nearly 5 billion passengers in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. IATA also raised its forecast for airlines’ net earnings this year to $30 billion, citing a “great achievement” after deep pandemic losses. However, the industry faces rising costs due to shortages, labor challenges, and climate change concerns, with total expenses projected to hit a record high of $936 billion in 2024.