BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUkraine war: MPs pass long-awaited conscription lawPublished12 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, ReutersImage caption, The law provides for compulsory training for new recruits before they are sent into combatBy Robert GreenallBBC NewsUkraine’s parliament has passed legislation to help mobilise troops to fight invading Russian forces. The measure – adopted after months of wrangling – is aimed at boosting numbers in the military, which is under severe pressure as Russia continues its advances in the east.But a clause aimed at demobilising soldiers after three years was dropped at the army’s request. The president still has to sign the bill into law. Earlier this month, Volodymyr Zelensky approved other measures, including lowering the age of mobilisation by two years, to 25. The new legislation passed on Thursday tightens registration processes and strengthens penalties for draft dodgers. MP Oleksandr Fedienko said, quoted by Reuters, that the bill would send a “message to our partners that we are ready to retake our territory and we need weapons”.Ukraine’s military has been under severe pressure of late, in part due to Russia’s greater manpower. A senior general told MPs before the passing of the bill that Ukrainian forces were outnumbered by Russia by between seven and 10 to one.”We are maintaining our defences with our last strength,” joint forces commander Gen Yuriy Sodol said, quoted by Reuters.”Pass this law and the Ukrainian Armed Forces will not let down you or the Ukrainian people.”A total of 283 MPs voted in favour of the bill, but 49 opposition lawmakers abstained.Ukrainian deserters risk death to escape warUkraine war in maps: Russia makes limited advancesOne of them, Oleksiy Goncharenko, said he could not vote for a bill that excluded demobilisation.”The main question for those serving and those who might be potentially mobilised [is] ‘how long will I serve?’ Without this, I don’t think the law will improve mobilisation,” he said, quoted by the Financial Times.The demobilisation issue will now be considered in a separate bill, parliament officials said.Draconian measures to prevent draft-dodging were also excluded from the latest version of the bill after a public outcry. The main provisions of the bill, which has not yet been published in full, include:Obliging men aged 18-60 to update personal data with the military authorities and carry draft office registration documents at all timesFinancial rewards for volunteersCompulsory training for all new recruits before going into combat, and basic military training for those aged 18-25 (ie below the conscription age)People with convictions serving suspended sentences to be allowed to serve in the armyTracking procedure proposed for men of military age living abroadDriving bans for those who do not comply with the requirements of draft authoritiesThe bill was passed hours after the country was hit by more heavy bombardments by Russia.More than 80 missiles and drones targeted sites across Ukraine, many of them involving energy infrastructure.The Trypillya power plant, a key provider of electricity for three regions including Kyiv, was completely destroyed.Ukraine has been asking Western countries to send more assistance, including ammunition and air defences.But a $60bn US military aid package has been held up for months in Congress.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, BBC documentary shows Ukrainian defence missionRelated TopicsWar in UkraineUkraineMore on this storyKey power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikesPublished2 hours agoUkraine fires army conscription officials for taking bribesPublished11 August 2023Ukrainian deserters risk death to escape warPublished8 June 2023Ukraine war in maps: Russia makes limited advancesPublished21 FebruaryTop StoriesOJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76Published1 hour agoLive. OJ Simpson died after ‘battle’ with cancer, family saysKey power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikesPublished2 hours agoFeatures’It’s everywhere’ – how Hamas attack haunts Israel’s student soldiersHow gang violence gripped a tourist havenNazanin: ‘Freedom is sweet… but it’s not easy’What is the minimum salary UK visa applicants need?Arizona pushes abortion to centre stage of 2024UK weather: Is it turning warmer?AttributionWeatherWas South Korea’s president thwarted by a spring onion?Listen: How will Labour plug the gap in NHS funding?AttributionSoundsThe Indian men traumatised by fighting for RussiaElsewhere on the BBCShould you be worried about getting enough protein?Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber unpick this macronutrient to find out what it does in our bodiesAttributionSounds’I’m not difficult… I just cannot take mediocrity’Explore the meteoric rise to fame and troubled personal life of the comedy pioneer Peter SellersAttributioniPlayer’I was freaking out, I knew I was in trouble’How did Australian Holly Deane-Johns end up in a notorious Thai prison?AttributionSoundsUnearthing the fascinating stories of our ancestorsBritain’s Biggest Dig gives a glimpse into the life of the rich and poor of Georgian LondonAttributioniPlayerMost Read1OJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 762Stormy conditions turn sea pink3Key power plant near Kyiv destroyed by Russian strikes4Donelan’s libel bills cost taxpayers £34,0005Wife died in ‘out of character’ attack by husband with dementia6Dazzling artwork found at ancient city of Pompeii7UK returns looted Ghana artefacts after 150 years8Vietnamese billionaire sentenced to death for $44bn fraud9Nazanin: ‘Freedom is sweet… but it’s not easy’10Hawaiian-born Japan sumo legend Taro Akebono dies

[ad_1] The measure is aimed at boosting troop numbers as the military faces Russian advances in the east.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIsrael crisis deepens over ultra-Orthodox draftPublished4 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Raffi BergImage caption, Ultra-Orthodox who study full-time are exempt from mandatory military serviceBy Raffi BergBBC NewsIsrael’s High Court has issued an order in the long-running dispute over ultra-Orthodox military exemptions, deepening a crisis in the government.It instructed a funding freeze for ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi, educational institutions whose students are eligible for conscription.Haredi parties in the government have reacted angrily, while a secular party has threatened to quit over the issue.Ultra-Orthodox exemptions are opposed by a majority of Israelis.The Haredi community comprises about 12% of the population but those in full-time Torah study are exempt from mandatory military service.Conscription applies to almost all other Israelis, apart from Israeli Arabs, from the age of 18 for both men and women.The government is debating a bill which reportedly seeks to strike a compromise by allowing exemptions with limitations. But the draft plan is fiercely opposed by Haredi parties. Two of those parties – Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) – hold 18 seats in the 72-seat emergency government.On the other hand, the secular, centrist National Union party, which holds eight seats, is insisting exemptions are scrapped altogether. The party’s leader, Benny Gantz, a former army chief of staff, has threatened to pull out of the government over the current plan. “The people will not tolerate it, the Knesset will not be able to vote in favour of it, and my associates and I cannot be part of this emergency government if this law passes,” he said on Monday.While some ultra-Orthodox Jews of army service age serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the vast majority do not, devoting their lives to Torah study in the religious institutions, or yeshivot.The High Court ruled that funds to yeshivot whose students qualify for conscription since 1 July 2023 when a previous law on deferrals expired but who have not yet enlisted, will be frozen. It is reported to affect about 50,000 yeshiva students. The ruling is due to come into effect on 1 April, a day after a deadline for the government to draft a new law expires.The head of UTJ, Yitzhak Goldknopf, called the ruling “a stain and a disgrace”.Critics object to the exemption, arguing that all Jewish Israelis should serve without exception. The issue has intensified since the start of the war in Gaza on 7 October, in which 254 soldiers have been killed.A former adviser to Shas leader Ariyeh Deri, Barak Seri, told Israel public radio that “from the moment that the court ruled, the Haredi parties have been in utter shock”.”They were stunned by the ruling that funding will stop this Monday. The accusations are flying in all directions, at the Likud [party which leads the government], at [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, at the fully right-wing government, at their representatives… This is the worst situation the Haredim have ever been in.”Related TopicsIsraelTop StoriesDUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson resigns after rape chargePublished1 hour agoWar a real threat and Europe not ready, warns Poland’s PMPublished5 hours agoMassive crane to haul wreckage of Baltimore bridgePublished39 minutes agoFeaturesAnalysis: DUP resignation is a political bombshellWho is the former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson?Beyoncé’s country album: The verdictCalls for Post Office police probe after BBC storyLife after Pontins swapped tourists for tradespeopleWaiting for Evan, Putin’s ‘bargaining chip’ in Russian jail2 Tone Music: Black and white exploding colourWeekly quiz: How much did Kate’s Titanic piece of wood sell for?A view from inside ship that hit Baltimore bridge. 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[ad_1] Ultra-Orthodox in the government react furiously over a High Court order on military service.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaStay! Germany denies reports of sausage dog banPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Philipp Guelland/Getty ImagesImage caption, Reports that Germany could ban dachshunds led to hand-wringing from lovers of the breed (file picture)By Damien McGuinnessBBC News, Berlin”Sausage Dogs to be banned in Germany,” screamed headlines in the UK this week.Germany’s biggest-selling newspaper Bild went full circle, fascinated by the panic: “Brits Fear for the German Sausage Dog.”The story arose from the German Kennels Association (VDH), which has launched a petition against a draft law that aims to clamp down on breeding that leads animals to suffer. Will the dachshund or any other breed be banned? The short answer is no. Under the proposed Animal Protection Act, certain traits would be defined in dogs that can cause “pain, suffering or damage”. The VDH fears this could lead to a ban on breeding sausage dogs, because their short legs and elongated spine can lead to knee, hip and back problems. Other breeds, such as bulldogs or pugs, which can have breathing problems, could also be targeted, says the association. “No dog breeds will be banned,” a spokesman for the Green-led agriculture ministry told me bluntly. “We want to prevent breeders from deforming dogs so much, that they suffer.”The government’s argument is that dog breeds are continually developing and at risk of having increasingly extreme characteristics. So breeding dogs with specific traits, such as skeletal abnormalities, that lead to suffering, poor health or a short life expectancy, would no longer be allowed. “Just because people find something new or aesthetically pleasing, animals shouldn’t be tormented,” said the ministry’s spokesman. So-called “torture breeding” has been illegal in Germany for three decades. But until now the law has been vague and open to interpretation. This new draft would give precise scientific criteria about what sort of breeding can lead to an animal suffering. Existing animals would be able to be kept but would not be allowed to breed or exhibit in shows. “Torture breeding” is not in the interests of the dog, the owner or the breeder, argues the government, given that everyone wants these animals to live normal, healthy lives. “There will always be sausage dogs,” the spokesman said. “We will just never see any with legs one centimetre long.” German museum celebrates dachshundsDachshunds, which can be translated as “badger dogs”, were bred in Germany for hunting. Their short legs and long body helped them burrow into holes. Michael Lazaris of Vets on the Common, in London, says many as one in five Dachshunds suffer from intervertebral disc disease because of their elongated spines. Dachshunds can also suffer from chronic hip and knee problems due to their short legs. Dr Lazaris advises buying puppies from responsible breeders and says that many genetic diseases can be bred out “by not using dogs with those specific health problems”. This is essentially the aim of the new German draft law. Meanwhile the German branch of animal rights organisation Peta is indeed calling for a ban on 17 breeds, including sausage dogs, pugs and French bull dogs. English bull dogs are also on Peta’s list. An online petition calling for the draft law to include these breeds has almost 70,000 signatures so far. Later this year the draft version of the Animal Protection Law will be put to the German cabinet and then to the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament.With key regional elections across eastern Germany in September, there are bound to be more stories about bossy Greens supposedly banning well-loved German traditions. This story has legs. Related TopicsGermanyDogsMore on this storyGerman dachshund museum ‘a world first’Published2 April 2018Walkies could become the law for German dog ownersPublished19 August 2020Stolen dog returned after video of theft is sharedPublished28 July 2023Top StoriesSecret papers show Post Office knew case was falsePublished57 minutes agoFTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 yearsPublished3 hours agoBus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 45Published2 hours agoFeaturesThe Papers: Water bosses a ‘disgrace’ and Easter honours ‘row’How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?I’m not ashamed of who I am any more, says LionessWhat we know about the accusations against DiddyFather of two among Baltimore bridge victimsVice, Vice, Baby: Who’ll be Trump’s running mate?AttributionSoundsWhat are assisted dying, assisted suicide and euthanasia?Tackling deepfakes ‘has turned into an arms race’‘We crowdfunded to help pay our son’s care costs’Elsewhere on the BBCThis week’s ‘must watch’ and ‘don’t bother’ showsYour favourite couch critics guide you through the latest programmes on the boxAttributionSoundsA joyous celebration of love, community and equalityTom Allen marks the tenth anniversary of same-sex marriage being legalised in England and WalesAttributioniPlayer’He’s confused popularity with respect’Another chance to listen to Ricky Gervais on Desert Island Discs in 2007AttributionSoundsBruce Lee as you’ve never seen him beforeTen defining pictures throw a unique lens onto an extraordinary lifeAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Bus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 452Dentist chair selfie sends drug trafficker to jail3Man arrested after death of Gogglebox star4Beyoncé’s country album: The verdict5Easter getaways hit by travel disruption6Arrest after 50 dead animals left outside shop7Secret papers show Post Office knew case was false8FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years9Leicester sack Kirk after relationship allegationAttributionSport10Stay! Germany denies reports of sausage dog ban

[ad_1] The VDH fears this could lead to a ban on breeding sausage dogs, because their short legs and elongated spine can lead to knee, hip and back problems. Other…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityAsiaChinaIndiaThailand moves to legalise same-sex marriagePublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The move will cement Thailand’s reputation as a relative haven for LGBTQ+ couplesBy Jonathan Head & Kelly NgIn Bangkok and SingaporeThailand has taken a historic step closer to marriage equality after the lower house passed a bill giving legal recognition to same-sex marriage.It still needs approval from the Senate and royal endorsement to become law.But it is widely expected to happen by the end of 2024, making Thailand the only South East Asian country to recognise same-sex unions.It will cement Thailand’s reputation as a relative haven for LGBTQ+ couples in a region where such attitudes are rare. “This is the beginning of equality. It’s not a universal cure to every problem but it’s the first step towards equality,” Danuphorn Punnakanta, an MP and chairman of the lower house’s committee on marriage equality, told parliament while presenting a draft of the bill. “This law wants to return these rights to this group of people, not grant them the rights.”The new law, which was passed by 400 of 415 of lawmakers present, will describe marriage as a partnership between two individuals, instead of between a man and woman. And it will give LGBTQ+ couples equal rights to get marital tax savings, to inherit property, and to give medical treatment consent for partners who are incapacitated. Under the law, married same-sex couples can also adopt children. However, the lower house did not adopt the committee’s suggestion to use the term “parents” instead of “fathers and mothers”.Thailand already has laws that ban discrimination over gender identity and sexual orientation and is, therefore, seen as one of Asia’s most LGBTQ+ friendly nations. But it has taken many years of campaigning for same-sex couples to come this close to marriage equality. Past attempts to legalise same-sex marriage failed despite broad public support. A government survey late last year showed that 96.6% of those polled were in favour of the bill.Marriage equality eludes Japan’s same-sex couplesThe lesbian activist seeking marriage equality in India”Yes, I’m watching the parliamentary debate and keeping my fingers crossed,” says Phisit Sirihirunchai, a 35-year-old openly gay police officer. “I’m glad and already excited that it is really going to happen. I am coming closer and closer to seeing my dreams come true.”Phisit said he and his partner, who have been together for more than five years, have been planning to get married on the day the law comes into effect.”I feel that equality has happened today. It’s a historic day for the Thai parliament that stands to fight for the rights of LGBTQI+,” said Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, a gay MP from the opposition Move Forward party who has been campaigning for marriage equality in the past decade.Several political parties promised to recognise same-sex unions as part of their campaign before last year’s election. Prime Minister Sretta Thavisin has also been vocal in his support since taking office in September last year. In December, the lower house passed four proposed bills to recognise same-sex marriage – one was put forward by Mr Thavisin’s administration and three came from opposition parties. These were then combined into a single bill, which the lower house passed on Wednesday. However, the Thai parliament has so far rejected proposals to allow people to change their gender identity, despite the high visibility of transgender communities here.Thailand still stands out in South East Asia, where same-sex intimacy is criminalised in some countries. It is also an outlier in Asia. In 2019, Taiwan’s parliament became the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Nepal registered its first same-sex union in November last year, five months after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of it.This was just one month after India’s top court had ruled against it, leaving the decision to the government, which said it would set up a panel that would decide on more legal rights for same-sex couples. The LGBTQ+ community has also been fighting for marriage equality in Japan, where district courts have ruled that the ban is unconstitutional. Polls show public support for it but stiff opposition from older, traditional ranks of the ruling party has stymied efforts. Singapore scrapped a colonial-era law that banned gay sex in 2022, but also amended its constitution to prevent the courts from challenging the definition of marriage as one between a man and a woman. Additional reporting by the BBC’s Thanyarat Doksone in BangkokRelated TopicsMarriageAsiaThailandSame-sex marriageLGBTTop StoriesPublic satisfaction with NHS at lowest ever levelPublished1 hour agoLive. Ship set to be boarded after six presumed dead in Baltimore bridge collapseLost power, mayday call and crash before Baltimore bridge collapsePublished10 hours agoFeaturesLost power, mayday call and crash before Baltimore bridge collapseHow a US bridge collapsed after being struck by a ship. 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[ad_1] The new law, which was passed by 400 of 415 of lawmakers present, will describe marriage as a partnership between two individuals, instead of between a man and woman.…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUN Security Council passes resolution calling for Gaza ceasefirePublished25 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Moment UN passes Gaza ceasefire resolutionBy Raffi BergBBC NewsThe UN Security Council has called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, after the US did not veto the measure in a shift from its previous position.It also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.It is the first time the council has called for a ceasefire since the war began in October after several failed attempts.The move by the US signals growing divergence between it and its ally Israel over Israel’s offensive in Gaza.In an unusually strong rebuke, a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the US had “retreated” from its original position which had clearly linked a ceasefire to a hostage release.It said this harmed efforts to release hostages by giving Hamas hope it could use international pressure on Israel to achieve a ceasefire without freeing the captives.It also said Mr Netanyahu had decided to cancel meetings between an Israeli delegation and US officials in Washington that were scheduled for this week.Israel’s defence minister said Israel would not stop the war in Gaza while hostages were still being held there.Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group which governs Gaza and which triggered the war with an unprecedented attack on Israel on 7 October, welcomed the resolution. It said it was ready “to engage in an immediate prisoner exchange process that leads to the release of prisoners on both sides”.The group has made any hostage release conditional on the release by Israel of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.In the Security Council vote on Monday, the US abstained, while the remaining 15 members voted in favour.The US had previously blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire, saying such a move would be wrong while delicate negotiations for a truce and hostage releases were continuing between Israel and Hamas.But on Thursday it tabled its own draft, which for the first time called for a ceasefire, marking a hardening of its stance towards Israel. US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US’ decision to let the resolution pass did not mean a “shift in our policy”. He said the US backed a ceasefire but did not vote in favour of the resolution because the text did not condemn Hamas.The US had previously been accused of using its power of veto to shield Israel at the UN. However it has become increasingly critical of Israel over the escalating death toll in Gaza, where more than 32,000 people – mainly women and children – have been killed by Israel’s bombardment, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. The US has also pressed Israel to do more to get aid delivered to Gaza, where it says the entire population is suffering severe levels of acute food insecurity.The UN has accused Israel of obstructing aid; Israel has blamed the UN, accusing it of failing to carry out distributions.The war broke out after Hamas gunmen burst through the border and attacked Israeli communities, killing about 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and taking 253 into Gaza as hostages.Of those taken, 130 remain unaccounted for following a series of releases, rescues and recovery of bodies.Related TopicsIsrael & the PalestiniansIsrael-Gaza warPalestinian territoriesUnited NationsTop StoriesLive. Israel cancels White House visit after US doesn’t block UN ceasefire voteLive. UK accuses groups linked to China of two ‘malicious cyber campaigns’Millions of Americans caught up in Chinese hacking plot – USPublished9 minutes agoFeaturesJewish settlers set their sights on Gaza beachfrontSay one thing, do another? 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[ad_1] The US had previously been accused of using its power of veto to shield Israel at the UN. However it has become increasingly critical of Israel over the escalating…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIsrael-Gaza war: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in new ceasefire callPublished24 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, ReutersBy Ece GoksedefBBC NewsUN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has made a renewed call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. “It is time to silence the guns,” he said, speaking from the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing with the enclave.He also called on Israel to give “total, unfettered” access to humanitarian goods throughout Gaza.A UN-backed food security assessment this week said 1.1 million people in Gaza were struggling with catastrophic hunger and starvation.It added that a man-made famine in the north was imminent between now and May.Mr Guterres, who said he had come to Rafah “to spotlight the pain of Palestinians in Gaza”, was speaking a day after Russia and China blocked a US draft resolution put to the UN which called for an immediate ceasefire tied to the release of hostages held in Gaza. “It’s time to truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid. The choice is clear: either surge or starvation. Blocked relief trucks on the Egyptian side of border are a moral outrage,” said Mr Guterres, who also called for the release of Israeli hostages.”I want Palestinians in Gaza to know: You are not alone. People around the world are outraged by the horrors we are all witnessing in real time. Palestinians in Gaza remain stuck in a non-stop nightmare,” he added.Image source, ReutersImage caption, Aid trucks are backed up at the Rafah border crossingThe Rafah crossing is one of the main points of entry for aid into Gaza, where long queues of trucks with aid are waiting for Israeli approval to cross. Western countries and aid groups have criticised Israel over its inspection process, blamed for slowing down the entry of much-needed help. Israel denies that it is holding up humanitarian relief and says that inspection is needed to make sure that Hamas will not divert aid. The war in Gaza began when Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and seizing 253 hostages. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory air strikes and its continuing ground offensive, the Hamas-run health ministry says.First UK-funded field hospital opens in Gaza New Gaza hospital raid shows Hamas is not a spent force’Help my brother first’: Gazan girl’s plea as entire family killedEarlier, Mr Guterres met UN humanitarian aid workers in el-Arish, the Egyptian city closest to Gaza, where much of the international relief for the enclave is delivered and stockpiled. He later visited a hospital where injured Palestinians are being treated. His trip comes as Israel plans to launch a ground operation in Rafah. More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians are sheltering in the southern city, where Israel says Hamas leaders are hiding and Hamas battalions still operate.Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defied international criticism of the planned offensive, saying “no international pressure will stop Israel” from achieving all of its war aims.Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warAntonio GuterresMore on this storyUS call at UN for Gaza truce linked to hostages blockedPublished21 hours agoFirst UK-funded field hospital opens in GazaPublished9 hours ago’Help my brother first’: Gazan girl’s plea as entire family killedPublished1 day agoTop StoriesLive. All four suspects arrested after at least 133 killed in Moscow concert attackBullets, a crush and panic: Moscow concert that became a massacrePublished2 hours agoKate cancer diagnosis rewrites story of past weeksPublished14 hours agoFeaturesWhat is preventative chemotherapy?Kate: We’ve taken time to reassure George, Charlotte and Louis VideoKate: We’ve taken time to reassure George, Charlotte and Louis What Kate video tells us about royal strategyMoscow concert hall attack videos examined. 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[ad_1] Earlier, Mr Guterres met UN humanitarian aid workers in el-Arish, the Egyptian city closest to Gaza, where much of the international relief for the enclave is delivered and stockpiled.…

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaUS call at UN for Gaza truce linked to hostages blockedPublished27 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, EPA-EFEImage caption, The US said Russia and China had acted cynicallyBy Raffi BergBBC NewsRussia and China have blocked a US draft resolution put to the UN which for the first time called for a ceasefire and hostage releases in Gaza.While there have been previous attempts by other countries to call for a ceasefire, the US text marked a hardening of its stance towards Israel.But Russia and China used their veto. Moscow called the text “hypocritical”.The move by the US, Israel’s key ally, comes at a time of growing tensions between them.Washington has made clear that it expects Israel to lessen the intensity of its offensive in Gaza, where the Hamas-run health ministry says at least 31,988 people – mainly women and children – have been killed since the war began on 7 October. It has also said it would not support an Israeli attack on the city of Rafah without a plan to protect civilians there, and has urged Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza.Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said that Israel will go ahead with a planned ground assault on Rafah, even without the support of its key ally.The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Tel Aviv for talks, said such an operation was not the answer.”It risks killing more civilians, it risks wreaking greater havoc with the provision of humanitarian assistance, it risks further isolating Israel around the world and jeopardising this long-term security and standing,” he said.The US – one of five permanent members of the Security Council with the power of veto – has previously blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire, saying such a move would be wrong while delicate negotiations for a truce and hostage releases were continuing between Israel and Hamas.But on Friday it publicly changed its position, in a carefully-worded draft. “The Security Council,” the text read, “determines the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire”, adding “and towards that end unequivocally supports ongoing international diplomatic efforts to secure such a ceasefire in connection with the release of all remaining hostages”.In doing so, the US linked its support for a ceasefire to the release of the Israeli hostages – 253 – held by Hamas.Although Russia and China vetoed the draft, 11 countries on the 15-member council voted in favour of it. Algeria voted against it and Guyana abstained.Ahead of the vote, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, criticised the text as “exceedingly politicised”, accusing it of doing nothing to avert Israel’s planned assault on Rafah.More than half of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians are sheltering in the southern city, where Israel says Hamas leaders are hiding and Hamas battalions still operate.The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called Russia and China’s action “deeply, deeply cynical”.”Russia and China simply did not want to vote for a resolution that was penned by the United States, because it would rather see us fail than see this Council succeed,” she said.Speaking after talks with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Blinken said the US was trying to show the international community “a sense of urgency”. A ceasefire tied to the release of hostages, he said, was “something that everyone, including the countries that veto the resolution should have been able to get behind”.French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would now work on an alternative resolution.”What’s important to note is that the United States has changed its position, and shown its will to defend, very clearly now, a ceasefire,” Mr Macron said.”For a long time, the Americans were reticent. That reticence is now gone.”Top StoriesUS call at UN for Gaza truce linked to hostages blockedPublished9 hours agoFA defends new England kit over flag designPublished9 minutes agoLife sentence for man who murdered couple with fentanylPublished5 hours agoFeaturesGrumpy gran aged 75 is global Fortnite sensationTrump poised for billions as stock market deal passesInside the ice cream van feeding familiesFleeing Ukraine’s embattled border villagesSolar eclipse spectacle set to grip North America againUFC star squares his Muslim faith with a career in the octagonWeekly quiz: How long did this woman take to climb nearly 300 mountains?Apple becomes the latest tech giant under siege’Help my brother first’: Gazan girl’s plea as entire family killedElsewhere on the BBCThe ultimate bromanceWatch the masters of satire Peter Cook and Dudley Moore with a look back through the archivesAttributioniPlayerHow did Emma of Normandy shape early medieval England?Greg Jenner and his guests step back in time to find out…AttributionSoundsAmbition, money and deceptionThe scandalous true story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, starring Amanda SeyfriedAttributioniPlayerThe last eruptionMount Vesuvius is famous for destroying Pompeii in 79AD but it last erupted in 1944AttributionSoundsMost Read1FA defends new England kit over flag design2Trump poised for billions as stock market deal passes3Stranger Things actor to officiate co-star’s wedding4Life sentence for man who murdered couple with fentanyl5Row erupts over German football kit deal6Send ‘arrogant’ Starmer a message, Sunak tells voters7UK’s highest student loan revealed to be £231,0008Million in Ukraine lose power after Russian attack9FBI probes mid-air blowout on Alaska Airlines flight10Grumpy gran aged 75 is global Fortnite sensation

[ad_1] The draft resolution put to the UN Security Council marked a hardening of its stance towards Israel.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaEU backs law against forced labour in supply chainsPublished21 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Human rights campaigners wanted the EU law to go further in tackling forced labourBy Kathryn ArmstrongBBC NewsEuropean Union countries have agreed to a law requiring companies to ensure their supply chains do not cause environmental damage or use forced labour. A majority of 17 out of the 27 members backed the legislation on Friday and there were no votes against it. The agreement came only after substantial changes were made to the original text. Critics argue that the law has now been diluted too much to be effective.The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will mean European companies have to document that products they import adhere to environmental and human rights standards, such as not involving child labour. They will also be required to prevent or minimise potential harm and to communicate their findings. However, compromises made following weeks of negotiations on the draft text mean only larger businesses that have 1,000 employees or more and which have a net turnover of at least €450m (£384m; $489m) will be affected. The original proposal was for it to affect firms with 500 employees or more and with a revenue of €150m. The draft legislation must be approved by the European Parliament to become law – and MEPs are expected to back it. Businesses will then be given time to implement the new practices. Friday’s approval of the draft legislation comes after the bloc failed twice in February to get it approved. Among the countries that objected to the original text were Germany and Italy, which feared it would hit their industries harder due to their high numbers of small and medium businesses. There were also concerns that companies would remove themselves from the EU due to bureaucracy and legal risks. Markus Beyrer, Director General of lobby group BusinessEurope, said the new rules would add “unparalleled obligations, set harsh sanctions with potential existential implications for companies, and unilaterally expose them to litigation from all parts of the world”. “European companies with global operations, some with millions of indirect relationships, will be put at a disadvantage compared to their global competitors,” Mr Beyrer added. Environmental and human rights campaigners welcomed the move to improve firms’ accountability, but voiced disappointment with the draft law.According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), almost 70% of European companies have been removed from the new obligations due to the changes to the draft text.”This spineless deal completely disregards the needs of both companies and communities to effectively tackle the impacts of climate change,” said Uku Lilleväli, a WWF spokesperson.Oxfam’s Economic Justice lead Marc-Olivier Herman said “they slashed the rules to appease big business, dealing a blow to Europe’s self-claimed standing as a champion of democracy and human rights”.Campaign group Anti-Slavery International wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that it was “very happy to see that the [European] Council has been able to come together and uphold this commitment, prioritising people and planet over political and business interests”. But it added: “While today’s developments are very positive, we know that the quality of the law has been eroded by these post-agreement challenges.”Related TopicsEnvironmentEuropean UnionMore on this storyFrom Poland to Spain, farmers ramp up protestsPublished9 FebruaryHottest February marks ninth new monthly recordPublished7 MarchEU to delay tariffs on UK electric cars until 2027Published6 December 2023Top StoriesAid reaches shore in Gaza after first sea deliveryPublished4 hours agoWales’ next first minister set to be announcedPublished3 hours agoSecret Ukrainian school in Russian-occupied territoryPublished2 hours agoFeatures’Tory PM ousting plot’ and ‘Gran’s death row wait’Trying to stay alive in a town tormented by drugs, alcohol and suicideFive Champions League match-ups to look forward toAttributionSportWeekly quiz: Which exclusive Oscars club did Emma Stone join?Battle between West Bank farmers divides Israel and US Listen: Putin’s Russia: An election without democracy? 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[ad_1] Critics say the draft law – also targeting environmental abuse – is too weak to be really effective.

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaJudge Scott McAfee has a decision to make in Trump’s Georgia casePublished10 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS Election 2020Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Will Judge Scott McAfee reassign his former boss away from her biggest criminal prosecution?By Kayla Epstein and Sam CabralBBC NewsMisconduct allegations against the lawyer prosecuting Donald Trump in Georgia threaten to derail her case. A rookie judge – her former subordinate – is deciding whether to keep her on the case or reassign it to another prosecutor, or even possibly throw it out.At just 34 years old, Judge Scott McAfee recently marked his first year on the bench but he has already presided over the trial of a lifetime, one involving criminal charges against a former president.The prosecution in Fulton County, for allegedly conspiring to interfere in the 2020 election, is the most legally and logistically complex of the four criminal cases against Mr Trump.Not only are 18 alleged co-conspirators charged alongside the current Republican presidential nominee, the trial will also likely be the only one that is televised.But even before it has been scheduled, Superior Court Judge McAfee is contending with whether or not a new team of prosecutors is needed in the case.How Georgia prosecutor’s affair affects a Trump trialTrump says phone records expose prosecutors’ affairOver the past two months, Mr Trump and his co-defendants have sought to prove that District Attorney Fani Willis inappropriately hired her “boyfriend”, took vacations using his pay from the case, and should be disqualified.The allegations led to a four-day hearing centred on Ms Willis’ sex life that was broadcast to the world, replete with fiery exchanges and salacious stories. Judge McAfee will rule by Friday.Ahead of that decision, the millennial jurist weighed in on the 41-count indictment on Wednesday, dismissing six charges – three of which relate to Mr Trump – for insufficient evidence.The youngest member of the Atlanta-area bench, Judge McAfee is described by those who know him as a tough but level-headed professional.He has built an impressive CV over a relatively brief career, working for both Ms Willis, a Democrat, and the state’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fani Willis was once Judge McAfee’s boss in the Fulton County district attorney’s officeHis conservative legal bona fides and demeanour may also shield him from potential accusations of bias, a charge Mr Trump has frequently flung at judges and prosecutors in other cases.”His prior experience indicates that he is highly competent and well-qualified for the challenge of presiding over the massive indictment that places Donald Trump at the head of an alleged criminal enterprise,” Clark Cunningham, a professor at Georgia State University College of Law, told the BBC.That prior experience checks many boxes typical of a rising legal star, with a couple of interesting quirks thrown in. He is a volunteer scuba diver at the Georgia Aquarium, where his work includes “a few different things” such as cleaning exhibits, according to the institution.He studied politics and music at Emory University in Atlanta, where he played cello for the school’s orchestra.At the University of Georgia Law School, he belonged to the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group that serves as a pipeline for lawyers and judges on the right, and the Republican student group. He also interned for Georgia Supreme Court Justices David Nahmias and Keith Blackwell.”What really stands out is his temperament – he’s not excitable, he’s even-keeled,” Mr Blackwell told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.After graduating in 2013, Judge McAfee served as both a local prosecutor and in private practice, before eventually taking a job prosecuting homicides in the Fulton County district attorney’s office in 2015.There, Ms Willis was his supervisor. In an interview with the Washington Post last year, she described him as one of her “baby attorneys”, praising him as “immensely talented”. Ms Willis was elected Fulton County district attorney in 2020, and shortly after began her investigation into Mr Trump’s frantic efforts to overturn his narrow loss in Georgia that November.Who is Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis? Judge McAfee worked on “hundreds of felony cases ranging from armed robbery to murder” for the county, according to the Georgia governor’s office, A year into his tenure, he was named trial court lawyer of the year.In 2018, he moved to the federal government, as an assistant US attorney in Atlanta, and eventually caught the eye of Governor Kemp, who appointed him as inspector general in 2021.”His experience as a tough prosecutor equips him to search out fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption, and bring those to justice who break the law,” Mr Kemp said in a statement at the time.Just two years later, Judge McAfee ascended once again when Mr Kemp appointed him to the bench.Six months later, in August 2023, the court system randomly assigned him the case of the decade – one that charges a former Oval Office occupant under racketeering laws used to take down mob bosses.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Trump case in Georgia is expected to be the most legally and logistically complex of the four criminal cases against the former presidentIts high stakes, during a presidential race involving Mr Trump, have quickly become clear.Judge McAfee has faced months of threats, including a swatting incident at his home in January. So have Ms Willis and other Fulton County officials.And his handling of the case has already drawn at least one Democratic challenger ahead of an election for his post in May, local radio host and activist Robert Patillo. Fulton County is dominated three-to-one by Democratic voters.Mr Patillo told the New York Times the judge had mishandled the motions to disqualify Ms Willis.”The court has turned this from one of the most solemn prosecutions of a former president into a daily reality show — something that you’d see on Real Housewives,” Mr Patillo said.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Fani Willis’ surprise testimony in 75 secondsIn a radio interview, Judge McAfee said politics would not influence his decision on Ms Willis, adding he wrote a rough draft of his ruling before Mr Patillo announced his challenge.”I am calling it as best I can in the law, as I understand it,” he told WSB Atlanta.Regardless of how he rules, one thing is for sure – Judge McAfee’s actions will be scrutinized now and possibly for years to come.Related TopicsGeorgiaUS Election 2020Indictments of Donald TrumpUS election 2024US politicsUnited StatesMore on this storyTrump’s Georgia judge dismisses some criminal chargesPublished8 minutes agoWho is Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis?Published1 MarchHow Georgia prosecutor’s affair affects a Trump trialPublished6 days agoTrump says phone records expose prosecutors’ affairPublished24 FebruaryTop StoriesI won’t return money from donor accused of racism – PMPublished5 hours agoWatch: Diane Abbott denied chance to speak 46 times. 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AudioRishi Sunak and the £10m questionAttributionSoundsElsewhere on the BBC’It was a song that broke all the rules’The epic story behind Bohemian Rhapsody, featuring Brian May and Roger TaylorAttributioniPlayerDid one man from Iraq make Norway rich?Meet the man behind Norway’s rise to oil richesAttributionSoundsCritically acclaimed and utterly compelling…Masterful, claustrophobic drama starring Sofie Gråbøl as a troubled prison guardAttributioniPlayerAre you a descendant of royalty?Geneticist Dr. Adam Rutherford sets out to prove that we all are…AttributionSoundsMost Read1Body found weeks ago believed that of missing woman2Actress Olivia Munn shares breast cancer diagnosis3Trailblazer Cavallo gets engaged on Adelaide Utd pitchAttributionSport4British couple die on Caribbean island in Grenada5’I stare at my wife’s ashes wondering if it is her’6Return hostages at any cost, says Israeli freed from Gaza7MP regains Labour whip after using contentious phrase8Abbott denied chance to speak during Commons race debate9’Man in the iron lung’ Paul Alexander dies at 7810I won’t return money from donor accused of racism – PM

[ad_1] Will Judge Scott McAfee, 34, reassign his former boss away from her biggest criminal prosecution?

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaIsrael abused Gaza war detainees, UN report allegesPublished1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIsrael-Gaza warImage source, ReutersImage caption, Many Palestinians were apprehended in northern Gaza as they sought shelter, the report saidBy Lyse DoucetChief international correspondentAn internal UN report seen by the BBC has described widespread abuse of Palestinians who were captured and interrogated at makeshift Israeli detention centres during the ongoing war in Gaza.The draft document compiled by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), the main UN agency supporting Palestinians, includes detailed testimony from detainees who describe an extensive range of ill-treatment. They include being stripped and beaten, being forced into cages and attacked by dogs, forced into stress positions for extended periods, and subjected to “blunt force trauma” including the butts of guns and boots, resulting in some cases in “broken ribs, separated shoulders and lasting injuries”.It says both men and women reported “threats and incidents of sexual violence and harassment” including inappropriate touching of women and beatings to men’s genitals.In a statement provided to the BBC, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said: “The mistreatment of detainees during their time in detention or whilst under interrogation violates IDF values and contravenes IDF and is therefore absolutely prohibited.”It rejected specific allegations including the denial of access to water, medical care and bedding. The IDF also said that claims regarding sexual abuse were “another cynical attempt to create false equivalency with the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war by Hamas”.UN finds ‘convincing information’ of sexual violence against hostagesIn earlier statements to the New York Times and Guardian newspapers, the Israeli military said it was aware of deaths in detention, including those with pre-existing illnesses and wounds, and said every death was being investigated.Unrwa’s accounts tally with other reports of abuse in Israeli detention centres recently published by Israeli and Palestinian human rights groups as well as separate UN investigations.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A detainee shows injuries to his wrists after his release back into GazaThis latest UN report, which has not been published yet, was based on interviews with more than 100 detainees, part of a group of about 1,000 detainees Unrwa was able to document since December after they were freed from three Israeli military sites. They included people – both male and female – between the ages of six and 82, including 29 children.The agency explains that this information was obtained during its role co-ordinating humanitarian aid at the Kerem Shalom crossing point between Gaza and Israel where the IDF has been releasing detainees. Information was also said to have been provided “independently and voluntarily” by Palestinians released from detention.In a comment sent to the BBC it described the allegations as “shocking but unsurprising”.The report said many Palestinians were apprehended in northern Gaza as they took refuge in hospitals or schools or as they tried to flee south to find shelter. Others were Gazans with work permits to enter Israel. They were stranded in Israel when war broke out and were later detained.Unrwa estimates that more than 4,000 Palestinians have been rounded up in Gaza since the start of hostilities sparked by the Hamas attack on 7 October when nearly 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed, and more than 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage. In the war which followed, now in its fifth month, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.Unrwa itself has been the focus of inquiry during this war. Israel has repeatedly accused it of supporting Hamas and hiring its members.The UN agency, whose 13,000 staff are regarded as the backbone of humanitarian operations in Gaza, has denied the charges. But it immediately terminated the contracts of employees accused in an Israeli document of playing a part in the 7 October attacks. Key UN Gaza aid agency runs into diplomatic stormThe claims, also being investigated by the UN, led nearly 20 countries and institutions to suspend funding. But the EU recently resumed its support and others are reportedly preparing to do so.”Unrwa is facing a deliberate and concerted campaign to undermine its operations, and ultimately end them,” Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini recently told a special meeting of the UN General Assembly amid calls in Israel for the agency to be dismantled.In the introduction to its internal report, Unrwa highlights that it is not a comprehensive account of all the issues regarding detentions during the war, including hostages held by Hamas, or other concerns regarding the treatment of hostages in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups.Related TopicsIsrael-Gaza warIsraelMore on this storyUN finds ‘convincing information’ of sexual violence against hostagesPublished3 days agoTop StoriesArmy’s top IRA spy ‘cost more lives than he saved’Published29 minutes agoChris Kaba murder charge police officer named for first timePublished4 hours agoTheresa May to stand down as MP at next electionPublished3 hours agoFeaturesWhy does International Women’s Day matter?Weekly quiz: Which billionaire hired Rihanna to celebrate a wedding?Singapore sting: How spies listened in on German generalMH370: The families haunted by one of aviation’s greatest mysteriesPride, pilgrims and parades: Africa’s top shotsWhy did the IRA not kill Stakeknife?’I’m really shy’ – The return of Gossip’s Beth DittoHow are the child benefit rules changing?The Iranian female DJs shaking the dance floorElsewhere on the BBCThe ultimate bromanceWatch the masters of satire Peter Cook and Dudley Moore with a look back through the archivesAttributioniPlayerDid one man from Iraq make Norway rich?Meet the man behind Norway’s rise to oil richesAttributionSoundsCan new evidence solve aviation’s greatest mystery?Ten years after the Malaysian Airlines flight disappeared, new technology may explain whyAttributioniPlayerHow Trump’s golf dream turned into a nightmare…His controversial golf development in Aberdeenshire was greenlit with awful consequencesAttributionSoundsMost Read1Boy, 11, found driving BMW towing caravan on M12Keegan: ‘I’d have probably punched Ofsted staff’3’Bearman already marked out as potentially a special one’AttributionSport4Army’s top IRA spy ‘cost more lives than he saved’5Constance Marten: I carried baby’s body in a bag6Plan to return Castaway island to its wild state7Police officer accused of Chris Kaba murder named8Rangers fan dies in Lisbon after Europa League match9Multiple failings led to man’s death in knife rampage10Theresa May to stand down as MP at next election

[ad_1] This latest UN report, which has not been published yet, was based on interviews with more than 100 detainees, part of a group of about 1,000 detainees Unrwa was…

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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaCould you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersThis video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Could you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersCloseJury selection is under way in Donald Trump’s New York City hush-money trial, with hundreds of people selected as potential jurors.They must answer a questionnaire to determine, among other things, if they can be impartial about the former president.The BBC asked some of those questions to Manhattan residents.SubsectionUS & CanadaPublished50 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreCould you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New Yorkers. Video, 00:02:16Could you be a fair juror for Trump? We asked New YorkersSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished50 minutes ago2:16Up Next. A view from inside court for Trump’s blockbuster trial. Video, 00:01:15A view from inside court for Trump’s blockbuster trialSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished19 hours agoUp Next1:15Press, police and protesters: Outside Trump courthouse. Video, 00:01:12Press, police and protesters: Outside Trump courthouseSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished1 day ago1:12Trump’s ‘perp walk’ moment explained in 60 seconds. Video, 00:01:00Trump’s ‘perp walk’ moment explained in 60 secondsSubsectionUS & CanadaPublished31 March 20231:00Editor’s recommendationsCopenhagen stock exchange engulfed by huge fire. Video, 00:01:03Copenhagen stock exchange engulfed by huge fireSubsectionEuropePublished12 hours ago1:03Moment spire collapses at Copenhagen stock exchange. Video, 00:00:43Moment spire collapses at Copenhagen stock exchangeSubsectionEuropePublished11 hours ago0:43Dormice ladders built in the Forest of Dean. Video, 00:00:51Dormice ladders built in the Forest of DeanSubsectionGloucestershirePublished1 day ago0:51Liz Truss: The world was safer under Trump. Video, 00:00:35Liz Truss: The world was safer under TrumpSubsectionUK PoliticsPublished22 hours ago0:35Huge fires blaze along Miami highway. Video, 00:00:33Huge fires blaze along Miami highwaySubsectionUS & CanadaPublished12 hours ago0:33Watch: Georgia opposition leader punches MP during debate. Video, 00:00:34Watch: Georgia opposition leader punches MP during debateSubsectionEuropePublished21 hours ago0:34Wheelie bins fly and a caravan overturns in strong wind. Video, 00:00:24Wheelie bins fly and a caravan overturns in strong windSubsectionStoke & StaffordshirePublished1 day ago0:24Hannah Waddingham calls out demanding paparazzi. Video, 00:00:28Hannah Waddingham calls out demanding paparazziSubsectionEntertainment & ArtsPublished1 day ago0:28Endangered California condor chicks hatched in LA. Video, 00:01:28Endangered California condor chicks hatched in LASubsectionUS & CanadaPublished1 day ago1:28

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityUKEnglandN. IrelandScotlandAlbaWalesCymruIsle of ManGuernseyJerseyLocal NewsFirst product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealedPublished11 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Meghan pictured at a polo match in Florida last weekBy Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondentA first glimpse of the new business venture from the Duchess of Sussex has been teased on social media, with pictures of a jar of strawberry jam.In a bid to preserve a sense of mystery, the jam from the new American Riviera Orchard brand seemed to be spread among friends and influencers.Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a picture of the jam on Instagram.It was numbered “17 of 50”, suggesting the number of recipients of this first fruit of the new business.The arrival of Meghan’s new California-based lifestyle brand had been signalled on social media last month and this suggests that it will be selling food products.What do we know about Meghan’s new brand?Five things about Harry and Meghan’s brand revampWhy did Harry and Meghan leave the Royal Family?There seemed to be have been something of a re-launch for Meghan and husband Prince Harry’s brands and businesses this year, beginning with the overhaul of their regal-looking website under the sussex.com label.Their latest projects seem to be moving away from a previous focus on their time as working royals, such as their Netflix film Harry and Meghan and Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.The hint about the strawberry jam from Meghan’s American Riviera Orchard brand seems to fit with the couple’s latest Netflix plans.Meghan is going to launch a Netflix show which will “celebrate the joys of cooking and gardening, entertaining, and friendship”.Prince Harry will be involved in another Netflix venture showing the inside track on the world of polo. That’s the equestrian sport, not the mints.Delfina Blaquier, married to Prince Harry’s polo-playing friend Nacho Figueras, also posted a picture of the new jam, with hers labelled “10 of 50”.The social media trail for American Riviera Orchard evokes a sense of the couple’s home in California – and this soft launch for the jam show pictures of the jars in a sunny basket of lemons.It’s not known how much items from the new lifestyle brand will cost. Although there are already plenty of other royals getting into jams. Visitors to the gift shops in royal palaces can get a Buckingham Palace Strawberry Preserve for £3.95 or Windsor Castle Fine Cut Seville Orange Marmalade, also for £3.95.On both sides of the Atlantic they seem to be conserving their finances.Related TopicsUK Royal FamilyMeghan, Duchess of SussexMore on this storyWhat we know about Meghan’s regal lifestyle brandPublished16 MarchMeghan launches surprise new lifestyle brandPublished14 MarchTop StoriesMPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009Published8 minutes agoMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished2 hours agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished7 hours agoFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlinePlaying Coachella after cancer emotional, says DJHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Nursery boss ‘killed baby she strapped to beanbag’2Birmingham Airport flights disrupted by incident3Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge4First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed5MPs back smoking ban for those born after 20096Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference7Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames8Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline9Marten a ‘lioness’ who ‘loved her cubs’, court told10Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSupreme Court hears 6 Jan case that may hit Trump trialPublished2 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS Capitol riotsImage source, Brent StirtonImage caption, Hundreds of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol after holding a “Stop the Steal” rally on 6 January, 2021By Nadine YousifBBC NewsThe US Supreme Court have begun hearing a case that could undo charges for those who stormed the Capitol in 2021. It focuses on whether a 2002 federal law created to prevent corporate misconduct could apply to individuals involved in the 6 January riots. More than 350 people have been charged in the incident under that law, which carries a 20-year prison penalty.Donald Trump faces the same charge in the pending federal case accusing him of election interference. The law makes it a crime to “corruptly” obstruct or impede an official proceeding. On Tuesday, Supreme Court Justices heard two hours of arguments over the law’s interpretation. However, it remained unclear how they would rule. A lawyer for a man who stormed the Capitol and was prosecuted under the law argued before the Justices that “a host of felony and misdemeanour” crimes already exist to prosecute his clients actions.The 2002 law passed in the wake of the Enron accounting scandal, Jeffrey Green said, was not one of them. US Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar counterargued that rioters deliberately attempted “to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the election,” therefore obstructing an official proceeding. Both fielded sceptical questions from the Justices. At one point, Mr Green argued that there is no historical precedent in which the law was used to prosecute demonstrators.Justice Sonia Sotomayor replied: “We’ve never had a situation before where (there was an attempt) to stop a proceeding violently, so I am not sure what a lack of history proves.”On the other hand, Ms Prelogar fielded questions from Justice Neil Gorusch on whether the law could then be stretched to apply to a “sit-in that disrupts a trial” or “a heckler” at the State of the Union Address. “Would pulling a fire alarm before a vote qualify for 20 years in federal prison?” he asked, appearing to reference an incident in which Jamaal Bowman, Democrat House representative, pressed a fire alarm in the Capitol.How the top court rules could have wide-ranging effects on the hundreds of people charged, convicted or sentenced under the law, as well as the prosecution of Mr Trump. Here is a breakdown of the key players and the law being argued: What is the 2002 federal law at the centre of the trial?The law is called the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It was passed in response to the Enron scandal in the early 2000s, after it was exposed that those involved had engaged in massive fraud and shredding documents. It criminalizes the destruction of evidence – like records or documents. But it also penalises anyone who “otherwise obstructs, influences or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so.” How has it been used in response to the 6 January riots?Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) has brought obstruction charges against those who participated in the storming of the Capitol. Federal prosecutors argue they did so to impede Congress’ certification of the presidential electoral vote count to cement Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 election. Therefore, the latter portion of the law that deals with obstructing an “official proceeding” would apply, the DoJ says. Who is challenging the law’s use in this case, and why? The Supreme Court is hearing a challenge to the law’s application brought forward by a former Pennsylvania police officer.Joseph Fischer was charged under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with obstruction of a congressional proceeding on 6 January, as well as assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct. His lawyers argue that prosecutors overreached with applying the Act, which they say deals explicitly with destroying or tampering with evidence integral to an investigation. Those who challenge the law’s application in 6 January cases also argue that a broad interpretation of the law would allow the prosecution of lobbyists or protestors who disrupt matters in Congress.How could the Supreme Court ruling impact Trump?The former president is charged under the very same law in a federal case accusing him of working to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Mr Biden.If Supreme Court justices rule that the law does not apply to the 6 January rioters, Mr Trump could seek dismissal of half the charges he faces in that case.It also could be seen as a political win for the former president, who is seeking re-election in November, as he repeatedly has accused prosecutors of overreach. A final ruling is not expected until June. Related TopicsUS Capitol riotsDonald TrumpMore on this storySupreme Court to hear appeal over Capitol riot chargePublished13 December 2023A very simple guide to Trump’s indictmentsPublished25 August 2023Supreme Court asked to rule on Trump’s immunityPublished12 December 2023Top StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished1 hour agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished5 hours agoNo liberty in addiction, says health secretary on smoking banPublished4 minutes agoFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2Birmingham Airport suspends flights over incident3First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed4Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference5Marten a ‘lioness’ who ‘loved her cubs’, court told6Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline7Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames8No liberty in addiction, says minister on smoking ban9Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single10Boy, 4, dies after fire at family home in Wigan

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaNational Conservatism Conference: Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels eventPublished4 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, ReutersImage caption, Nigel Farage said the decision to shut the conference down was as an attempt to stifle free speechBy Nick Beake in Brussels and Laura GozziBBC NewsBrussels police have been ordered to shut down a conference attended by right-wing politicians across Europe, including Nigel Farage and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.Organisers say the National Conservatism Conference in the Belgian capital is continuing, but guests are no longer allowed to enter. Local authorities had raised concerns over public safety.A UK spokeswoman called reports of police action “extremely disturbing”. She said that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was a “strong supporter and advocator for free speech” and that he was “very clear that cancelling events or preventing attendance and no-platforming speakers is damaging to free speech and to democracy as a result”.Alexander De Croo, the Belgian prime minister, said that the shutting down of the conference was “unacceptable”.Referring to the fact that it was the local mayor, Emir Kir, who opposed the conference, Mr De Croo added that while municipal autonomy was a cornerstone of Belgium’s democracy it could “never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech”. “Banning political meetings is unconstitutional. Full stop,” Mr De Croo wrote on X.In a message to organisers, Mr Kir had said some of the attendees of Tuesday’s conference held anti-gay and anti-abortion views. “Among these personalities there are several particularly from the right-conservative, religious right and European extreme right,” his statement said.Mr Kir also wrote on X: “The far right is not welcome.”Nigel Farage, who took to the stage this morning, told the BBC the decision to close down the conference because there were homophobes in the audience was “cobblers”, and that he condemned the decision as an attempt to stifle free speech. “Thank God For Brexit”, he said.Organised by a think-tank called the Edmund Burke Foundation, the National Conservatism Conference is a global movement which espouses what it describes as traditional values, which it claims are being “undermined and overthrown”. It also opposes further European integration.The conference said it aimed to bring together “public figures, journalists, scholars and students” who understood the connection between conservatism and the idea of nationhood and national traditions. French far-right politician Eric Zemmour, arriving for the conference after police had blocked the entrance, told journalists that Mr Kir was “using the police as a private militia to prevent… Europeans from taking part freely”.Organisers said Mr Zemmour was not allowed into the venue and that his address would be postponed.Former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and far-right French politician Eric Zemmour were listed as keynote speakers. The National Conservatism Conference reportedly started around 08:00 (06:00 GMT) on Tuesday and carried on for three hours until police showed up and asked the organisers to make attendees leave.Later, organisers wrote on X: “The police are not letting anyone in. People can leave, but they cannot return. Delegates have limited access to food and water, which are being prevented from delivery. Is this what city mayor Emir Kir is aiming for?”Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki were due to speak tomorrow. Earlier, the organisers said on X that they would challenge the order to shut the conference down. “The police entered the venue on our invitation, saw the proceedings and the press corps, and quickly withdrew. Is it possible they witnessed how peaceful the event is?,” they wrote on X.The Claridge event space – located near Brussels’s European Quarter – can host up to 850 people. Around 250 people were in attendance on Tuesday afternoon.Mohamed Nemri, the owner of Claridge, told the BBC he had decided to host the event because “we don’t reject any party…. even if we don’t have the same opinion. That’s normal”.”I am Muslim and people have different opinion and that’s it. We are living in a freedom country. I’d like to people to talk freely,” he added.It is the third venue that was supposed to hold the event, after the previous two fell through. Belgian media reported that one venue pulled out after pressure by a group called the “Antifascist coordination of Belgium”.Related TopicsBelgiumTop StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished43 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished5 hours agoLive. US expects to impose further sanctions on Iran ‘in the coming days’FeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed3Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference4Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline5Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9Sons of McCartney and Lennon release joint single10Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaNasa says part of International Space Station crashed into Florida homePublished40 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, NASAImage caption, The recovered object was part of a stanchion used to mount batteries to a cargo palletBy Max MatzaBBC NewsUS space agency Nasa confirmed that an object that crashed into a home in Florida earlier this month was part of the International Space Station (ISS). The metal object was jettisoned from the orbiting outpost in March 2021, Nasa said on Monday after analysing the sample at the Kennedy Space Center.The 1.6lb (0.7kg) metal object tore through two layers of ceiling after re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Homeowner Alejandro Otero said his son was nearly injured by the impact. Nasa said the object was part of some 5,800lbs of hardware that was dumped by the station after it had new lithium-ion batteries installed. “The hardware was expected to fully burn up during entry through Earth’s atmosphere on March 8, 2024. However, a piece of hardware survived and impacted a home in Naples, Florida,” the agency said.The debris was determined to be part of a stanchion used to mount batteries on a cargo pallet. The object, made from metal alloy Inconel, has dimensions of 4in by 1.6in (10.1cm by 4cm).Mr Otero told CBS affiliate Wink-TV that the device created a “tremendous sound” as it blasted into his home.”It almost hit my son. He was two rooms over and heard it all,” he said.”I was shaking. I was completely in disbelief. What are the chances of something landing on my house with such force to cause so much damage,” Mr Otero continued.”I’m super grateful that nobody got hurt.”According to Nasa, the ISS will “perform a detailed investigation” on how the debris survived burn-up.What’s the risk of being hit by falling space debris?Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s more space junkSpace junk has been a growing a problem. Earlier this month, sky watchers in California watched mysterious golden streaks moving through the night sky.US officials later determined that the light show was caused by burning debris from a Chinese rocket re-entering earth’s orbit.In February, a Chinese satellite known as “Object K” burned up as it re-entered the atmosphere over Hawaii.Last year, a barnacle-covered giant metal dome found on a Western Australian beach was identified as a component of an Indian rocket. There are plans to display it alongside chunks of Nasa’s Skylab, which crashed in Australia in 1979. This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Object thought to be a satellite burns up on re-entering Earth’s atmosphereRelated TopicsSpace debrisNasaFloridaUnited StatesMore on this storyIs it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s more space junkPublished3 AprilRobot dog trains to walk on Moon in Oregon trialsPublished3 days agoTop StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished50 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished4 hours agoLive. US expects to impose further sanctions on Iran ‘in the coming days’FeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed3Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference4Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline5Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care10Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice forever

BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaFormer Marine jailed for nine years for bombing abortion clinicPublished7 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsUS abortion debateImage source, CBSBy Max MatzaBBC NewsA former US Marine has been jailed for nine years for firebombing a California Planned Parenthood clinic and plotting other attacks to spark a “race war”.Chance Brannon, 24, pleaded guilty to the March 2022 attack on the healthcare clinic, which provides abortions in some of its locations.He also plotted to attack Jewish people and an LGBT pride event taking place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. At the time of his arrest, he was an active duty member of the US Marines. Prosecutors said Brannon was a neo-Nazi who frequently spoke of “cleansing” the US of “particular ethnic groups”. In November, Brannon pleaded guilty to conspiracy, destruction of property, possession of an explosive and intentionally damaging a reproductive health services facility.Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, said the attack “was designed to terrorise patients seeking reproductive healthcare and the people who provide it”.The explosion damaged the front entrance to the clinic in Costa Mesa, Orange County. No one was injured.However, Mehtab Syed, of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said Brannon’s “deep-rooted hatred and extremist views… could have killed innocent people”. Mr Syed added that Brannon plotted to rob Jewish residents in the Hollywood Hills, and had also discussed plans to attack the power grid. Further to this, in 2022, Mr Syed said Brannon, of San Juan Capistrano, placed calls to two US “adversaries” hoping to offer himself as a “mole” providing US intelligence.Two co-defendants, Tibet Ergul and Xavier Batten, have pleaded guilty to similar charges and will be sentenced next month.According to the National Abortion Federation, a group representing US abortion providers, there was a “sharp increase” in violence against clinics in 2022. Related TopicsAbortionUS abortion debateUnited StatesCaliforniaMore on this storyWhat is Planned Parenthood?Published25 September 2015Top StoriesMuslim student loses school prayer ban challengePublished53 minutes agoBowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelinePublished3 hours agoLive. Israel demands sanctions on Iranian missile projectFeaturesJeremy Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifelineIranians on edge as leaders say ‘Tel Aviv is our battleground’A really, really big election with nearly a billion votersWhat is the smoking ban and how will it work?Martin Tyler: I nearly lost my voice foreverWho are the millions of Britons not working?How to register to vote for the local elections ahead of midnight deadlineMeteorite ‘repeatedly transformed’ on space journeyHow the Alec Baldwin fatal film set shooting unfoldedElsewhere on the BBCFrom weight loss to prolonging lifeIs intermittent fasting actually good for you? James Gallagher investigatesAttributionSoundsCould Nina shake up the unspoken rules of modern dating?Brand new comedy about love, friendship and being your own selfAttributioniPlayerWill the UK introduce tough anti-tobacco laws?Under new plans, anyone turning 15 from this year would be banned from buying cigarettesAttributionSoundsCan William Wisting find the truth?The Norwegian detective returns, tackling more grisly cold casesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Muslim student loses school prayer ban challenge2Police told to shut down right-wing Brussels conference3Superdry boss hits back at ‘not cool’ criticism4First product of Meghan’s lifestyle brand revealed5Bowen: Iran’s attack on Israel offers Netanyahu a lifeline6Historic Copenhagen stock exchange goes up in flames7MPs to vote on smoking ban for those born after 20098Stabbed TV presenter ‘feeling much better’9William to return to duties after Kate diagnosis10Baby hurt in Sydney stabbing out of intensive care