Bittersweet homecoming for Palestinians returning to Gaza City
Columns of Palestinians carrying what belongings they can have headed to north Gaza, after Israel permitted their passage in accordance with the ongoing ceasefire. Israel allowed hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to start returning to their homes in the north this week. Although the crowds had thinned somewhat by Tuesday, thousands of men, women and children were still on their way, fully aware they had little waiting for them but rubble. “I’m happy to be back at my home,” said Saif al-Din Qazaat, who returned to northern Gaza but had to sleep in a tent next to the ruins of his house. “I kept a fire burning all night near the kids to keep them warm … (They) slept peacefully despite the cold but we don’t have enough blankets,” said the 41-year-old. Mona Abu Aathra managed to travel from central Gaza to Gaza City, though she has yet to assess the full extent of the war’s impact on her home. Her hometown, Beit Hanoon, was among the areas hardest hit by a months-long Israeli military operation which continued right up to this month’s ceasefire. Advertisement “We returned to Gaza City with nothing, and there’s no drinking water. Most streets are still blocked by the rubble of destroyed homes,” said the 20-year-old. Despite the devastation, Abu Aathra expressed relief at being reunited with her family. “It’s the first night we’re together again, me, my mother and my father. Last night, we gathered with my three brothers who were here in Gaza City.” More than 375,000 Palestinians have crossed into northern Gaza since Israel on Monday morning opened the way to return, the United Nations said on Tuesday. That represents more than a third of the million people who fled the north in the war’s first weeks in late 2023. Increasing essential supplies to people is a focus. Although aid deliveries have increased since the ceasefire began, the need remains overwhelming. The World Food Programme said it distributed more food in the first four days of the ceasefire than in the entire month of December. But the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that those returning north would need other essential supplies, too, like drinking water, shelter equipment and hygiene kits. Adblock test (Why?)
Tyres burned, embassies attacked in DR Congo’s Kinshasa protests
Vandalised embassies and piles of burning tyres marked chaotic demonstrations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s capital Kinshasa to denounce the “inaction” of the international community over the conflict raging in Goma, the main city in the country’s east. On foot or motorcycles, hundreds of angry demonstrators responding on Tuesday to the “Paralyse the City” call of a youth collective gathered in the upscale district of Gombe in the north of Kinshasa and targeted the embassies of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, France, Belgium and the United States. They accused Rwanda and Uganda of actively supporting the armed group M23 which, after a lightning offensive in North Kivu province with the support of Rwandan troops, entered the regional capital, Goma, on Sunday. On Tuesday, they had taken control of its airport after raging street battles. The demonstrators accused the other countries of diplomatic inaction. “Enough is enough, we’re going to destroy everything here. Today, we’re going to finish with Rwanda,” shouted one demonstrator to applause in front of the building that houses the Rwandan embassy in Kinshasa. Advertisement Thick smoke billowed nearby from tyres set on fire. The perimeter wall of the French embassy was also set on fire. Graffiti on it read: “Betrayal over a long period of time … let’s end it now.” Protesters also targeted the embassies of Belgium and the US, and looted the Ugandan mission, taking away furniture on motorcycles and taxis. Adblock test (Why?)
Delhi Assembly Elections 2025: Know 10 richest candidates
According to a report by Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Delhi Election Watch, out of the total 699 candidates in Delhi, 5 are billionaires. Among them, 3 are BJP candidates while Congress and AAP have one billionaire candidates.
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What is fueling Guillain-Barre Syndrome outbreak in Pune? AIIMS doctor reveals…
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EC notice to AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Yamuna poisoning claims, seeks ‘proof’ by 8 pm today
In a letter to Kejriwal, the Election Commission (EC) sought by 8 pm on Wednesday the nature and extent of the chemicals used for “poisoning” the Yamuna which could have killed people in large numbers, as claimed by the AAP chief.
Maha Kumbh 2025: UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s BIG appeal after stampede, asks pilgrims to take dip in nearest ghat not try..
Multiple casualties were feared after the stampede at the Sangam as millions of pilgrims turned up for a holy bath on ‘Mauni Amavasya’, the most significant ritual at the Maha Kumbh.
Mahakumbh 2025: Akharas cancel Mauni Amavasya ‘Amrit Snan’ ritual after stampede situation
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Maha Kumbh 2025: PM Modi speaks to UP CM Yogi Adityanath over stampede situation, calls for…
PM Modi is continuously monitoring the situation in Kumbh and is in constant contact with the state government. He has spoken with the chief minister three times till now and is giving directions for normalisation of the situation and relief, official sources said.
Donald Trump’s push to freeze federal funds sparks confusion in Texas
Texas cities, counties, higher education institutions and nonprofits clambered Tuesday to gauge the potential fallout from the suspension, later blocked temporarily by a federal judge.