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Japan Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Israel army announces 4 soldiers killed in Gaza, thousands more troops needed
A boy looks on as he sits between Muslim worshippers prostrating as they perform the early morning prayers for Eid al-Adha at the makeshift prayer room of the Nour mosque in Gaza City By Stuart White Israel's military announced Friday the deaths of four soldiers in Gaza, saying it needed thousands more troops to press its offensive, just as the premier's coalition faces the prospect of collapse over ultra-Orthodox conscription. News of the soldiers' deaths came as Gaza's civil defense agency reported 38 killed Friday in Israeli attacks across the territory, where Palestinians observed the Eid al-Adha holiday under the shadow of war for a second consecutive year. Military spokesman Effie Defrin said the four soldiers were killed as they "were operating in the Khan Yunis area, in a compound belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization". "Around six in the morning, an explosive device detonated, causing part of the structure to collapse," he said, adding that five other soldiers were wounded, one of them severely. The deaths bring to 429 the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the start of the ground offensive in late October 2023. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his condolences to the soldiers' families, saying they "sacrificed their lives for the safety of all of us". Israel recently stepped up its Gaza campaign in what it says is a renewed push to defeat Hamas, whose October 7, 2023 attack sparked the war. Asked by a reporter about the issue of ultra-Orthodox conscription, which has emerged as a thorn in the side of Netanyahu's government, Defrin said "this is the need of the moment, an operational necessity". The army was short around 10,000 soldiers, he added, including about 6,000 in combat roles, adding that "tens of thousands more notices will be issued in the upcoming draft cycle". The conscription issue has threatened to sink Netanyahu's government, with ultra-Orthodox religious parties warning they will pull out of his coalition if Netanyahu fails to make good on a promise to codify the military exemption for their community in law. At the same time, much of the public has turned against the exemption amid the increasing strain put on reservists' families by repeated call-up orders during the war. In April, a military representative told a parliamentary committee that of 18,000 draft notices sent to ultra-Orthodox individuals, only 232 received a positive response. Netanyahu's office announced shortly after 1:00 am on Friday that he had met with a lawmaker from his Likud party who has recently pushed for a bill aimed at increasing the ultra-Orthodox enlistment and toughening sanctions on those who refuse. The premier's office said "significant progress was made", with "unresolved issues" to be ironed out later. Netanyahu also faced scrutiny after he admitted to supporting an armed group in Gaza that opposes Hamas. Knesset member and ex-defense minister Avigdor Liberman had told the Kan public broadcaster that the government, at Netanyahu's direction, was "giving weapons to a group of criminals and felons". The European Council on Foreign Relations think tank describes the group a "criminal gang operating in the Rafah area that is widely accused of looting aid trucks". The humanitarian situation in Gaza, meanwhile, has reached dire lows, with residents enduring severe shortages of food and other essentials, even after a more than two-month Israeli blockade on aid was recently eased. The shortages have made it all but impossible for many Gazans to celebrate Eid al-Adha, which fell on Friday and is traditionally marked with huge family meals and gifts of new clothes. Suad al-Qarra told AFP from Nasser Hospital on Friday that her son never got a chance to wear his new clothes. "He went to get dressed and there was an explosion," she said, her soft voice breaking. "I took him to the hospital and (they) found him dead." "They took the children from us," she continued. "I bought him Eid clothes yesterday and he didn't wear them, instead he wears a white shroud." In the Muslim faith, Eid commemorates the sacrifice Ibrahim -- known to Christians and Jews as Abraham -- was about to make by killing his son, before the angel Gabriel intervened and offered him a sheep to sacrifice instead. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday's strikes. Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 4,402 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18 after a brief truce, taking the war's overall toll to 54,677, mostly civilians. © 2025 AFP
Japan Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Gaza rescuers say more than 50 killed as Israel orders evacuations
The UN said it collected and begun distributing aid in Gaza By Stuart White Plumes of smoke rose Thursday over the northern Gaza Strip, where Israel's military urged civilians to evacuate, as rescuers said Israeli strikes across the territory killed more than 50 people. The latest evacuation warning for parts of Gaza City and neighboring areas came hours after the United Nations said it had begun distributing around 90 truckloads of aid in Gaza -- the first such delivery since Israel imposed a total blockade on March 2. The World Food Program (WFP) later said a "handful of bakeries" had resumed making and distributing bread, while the United Nations said some trucks were "intercepted" by residents. Under global pressure to lift the blockade and halt a newly expanded offensive, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was open to a "temporary ceasefire", but reaffirmed the military aimed to bring all of Gaza under its control. In an Arabic-language statement on Thursday, the military said it was acting "with intense force" in 14 areas of the northern Gaza Strip, including parts of Gaza City and the Jabalia refugee camp. A map posted alongside the warning showed a swath of territory marked in red, with the army accusing "terrorist organizations" of operating there and urging civilians to move south. The vast majority of Gaza's 2.4 million have been displaced at least once during the war. After Israel announced it would allow in limited aid, Netanyahu said it was necessary to "avoid a humanitarian crisis in order to preserve our freedom of operational action". In Gaza, the Hamas government media office reported the arrival of 87 aid trucks. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that "a small number of trucks carrying flour were intercepted by residents and their contents removed". Dujarric said it "was not a criminal act with armed men", but "what I've been referring to sometimes as self-distribution, which I think only reflects the very high level of anxiety that people in Gaza are feeling not knowing when the next humanitarian delivery will take place". Palestinians have been scrambling for basic supplies, with Israel's blockade leading to critical food and medicine shortages. U.N. agencies have said that the amount of aid entering Gaza falls far short of what is required to ease the crisis. Hossam Abu Aida, a 38-year-old displaced Palestinian in Gaza City said: "I am tormented for my children". "For them, I fear hunger and disease more than I do Israeli bombardment," he told AFP. AFP footage showed bags of recently delivered flour at a bakery in the central city of Deir el-Balah, where workers and a host of machines began kneading, shaping, baking and packaging stack after stack of pita bread. "Some aid is finally reaching Gazans in desperate need, but it's moving far too slowly," said WFP executive director Cindy McCain. "A handful of bakeries in south and central Gaza... have resumed bread production after dozens of trucks were finally able to collect cargo from the Kerem Shalom border crossing and deliver it overnight," the WFP said in a statement. Israel stepped up its offensive at the weekend, vowing to defeat Gaza's Hamas rulers, whose October 2023 attack on Israel triggered the war. Gaza's civil defense agency reported "52 martyrs" in Israeli air strikes across the territory on Thursday. AFP footage of northern Gaza showed numerous plumes of smoke rising from the area over the course of the afternoon. There was no comment from the Israeli military on any strikes on Thursday. The intensified Israeli offensive has drawn criticism, with EU foreign ministers agreeing on Tuesday to review the bloc's cooperation accord with Israel. Sweden said it would press the 27-nation European Union to impose sanctions on Israeli ministers, while Britain suspended free-trade negotiations with Israel. In a joint statement, the leaders of Britain, Canada and France slammed the escalation and the "wholly inadequate" resumption of aid, warning of the possibility of "concrete actions in response". Netanyahu hit back on Thursday, saying the three leaders "may think that they're advancing peace. They're not. They're emboldening Hamas to continue fighting forever." Hamas's October 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Gaza's health ministry says at least 3,613 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 53,762, mostly civilians. During the Hamas attack, militants also took 251 hostages, 57 of whom remain in Gaza including 34 the Israel military says are dead. Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel would be ready "if there is an option for a temporary ceasefire to free hostages", noting that at least 20 captives held by Hamas and its allies were still believed to be alive. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nord Anglia Education schools feature in 2025 Spear's Schools Index of world's best private schools
LONDON, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Four leading Nord Anglia Education schools have once again secured their place amongst the world's best private schools, as recognised by the prestigious 2025 Spear's Schools Index. The index, often regarded as the definitive guide to the world's 100 leading private schools, acknowledges excellence in education, innovation, and student success. It has been drawn up annually since 2020 by Spear's, their partners at Thuso, and a panel of independent educationalists from around the world. In this year's index, three schools were once again recognised in the "Top 100": Collège Alpin Beau Soleil and Collège Champittet in Switzerland, along with Swiss International Scientific School Dubai. Nord Anglia International School Dubai also features in the Spear's Schools Index as a "Recommended" school. Stuart White, Principal at Collège Alpin Beau Soleil, said: "Our students and colleagues are at the heart of what makes Beau Soleil such a wonderful international community in the Swiss mountains, and I am delighted they have been recognised by Spear's once again. Our focus on a unique blend of academic and alpine education continues to allow students to develop as tomorrow's global leaders." Philippe de Korodi, Principal of Collège Champittet, said: "Collège Champittet is dedicated to shaping future leaders who are compassionate, open-minded, and independent thinkers. Our inclusion in the Spear's Index is once more a recognition of our school community's emphasis on values, engagement, and commitment to academic excellence." Ruth Burke, Principal of Swiss International Scientific School Dubai, said: "This accolade inspires us to continue striving for excellence in all aspects of learning and school life, preparing our students to succeed in a rapidly changing world. As a unique bilingual day and boarding school, it is wonderful to be recognised. Thank you to everyone who plays a part in making our school such an exceptional place to learn and grow." About Nord Anglia's featured schools: Collège Alpin Beau Soleil: A leading private boarding school in Villars-sur-Ollon in the Swiss Alps. It is home to a thriving international community of students aged 11 to 18. Collège Champittet: A world-class day and boarding international school in Lausanne, Switzerland, offering an outstanding education that instils lifelong values and inspires academic excellence. Swiss International Scientific School Dubai: A co-educational, IB day and boarding school for students aged 3 to 18 in Dubai, with English only, English-French, and English-German bilingual programmes. Nord Anglia International School Dubai: An outstanding British curriculum school where children are inspired to achieve more than they ever thought possible. About Nord Anglia Education:As a leading international schools organisation, we're shaping a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate from our schools with everything they need for success, whatever they choose to be or do in life. Our strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and curricula with cutting-edge technology and facilities, creating learning experiences like no other. Inside and outside of the classroom, we inspire our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible. No two children learn the same way, which is why our schools around the world personalise learning to what works best for every student. Inspired by our high-quality teachers, our students achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world's top universities. Our Nord Anglia global family includes 80+ day and boarding schools in 33 countries, teaching over 90,000 students from ages 3 to 18. To learn more or apply for a place for your child at one of our schools, go to For media enquiries:David BatesCommunications ManagerM +44 (0) 7787 135223 Logo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Nord Anglia Education Sign in to access your portfolio
CBC
08-02-2025
- CBC
Patience paid off for N.L. photographer recognized by Canadian Geographic
Stuart White of Mount Pearl spent years shooting landscapes. But since turning his lens towards wildlife, he hasn't looked back. Now, a photograph White snapped of a pair of foxes in Bonavista has captured the top prize in a major Canadian competition.
