The United Nations intends to bolster its peacekeeping mission in Lebanon to better support the Lebanese army once a truce is agreed but would not directly enforce a ceasefire, U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said on Thursday.
Archiv: the-better-than-nothings-or-somethings-even-worse
Germany defends sitting out vote on UN resolution for Israel to end Occupation of Palestine Territories within a year
“It sets an unrealistic deadline for ending the Occupation and disregards the fact that direct negotiations between the parties are required in order to achieve a sustainable solution,” it said.
The resolution does not sufficiently take into account Israel’s right to self-defence as it does not mention its legitimate security interests, it added.
In Overwhelming Vote, UN General Assembly Demands Swift End to Israeli Occupation
„The vast majority of countries have made it clear: Israel‘s occupation of Palestine must end, and all countries have a definite duty not to aid or assist its continuation,“ said GJN‘s Tim Bierley. „To stay on the right side of international law, the U.K.‘s dealings with Israel must drastically change, including closing all loopholes in its partial arms ban and revoking any trade or investment relations that might assist the occupation.“
Majority in U.S. Now Disapprove of Israeli Action in Gaza
(27.03.2024)
Although Americans rate Biden‘s handling of the conflict poorly, his overall job approval rating is no lower now than before the conflict began. The issue does not register highly when Americans are asked to name the most important problem facing the U.S. Nor does it rank highly when Americans rate each of several international issues as critical threats to U.S. vital interests.
War on Gaza: Israel is dragging the US into a future regional war
Netanyahu’s game plan is now clear: prolong the war as long as possible; seal all the land borders, ending with Rafah; and make the sea the only escape route for Palestinians from Gaza.
Behind the hot words of condemnation, Biden and the EU have thus far played into his hands. The infrastructure for just such a plan is being built before our eyes, with Washington’s willing assistance. (…)
The plan for a maritime route to Gaza via Cyprus was initiated by Netanyahu, a senior diplomatic source told The Jerusalem Post. “Netanyahu took the initiative to establish maritime humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, in collaboration with the Biden administration,” the source said.
The date when this happened is more important than the identity of the scheme’s author. According to this report, Netanyahu outlined his strategy to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on 31 October, just three weeks after the Hamas attack, and revisited the matter with Biden on 19 January.
In other words, the floating pier was not a reaction to impending famine. It was part of the planning that created it.
People in Gaza are in desperate humanitarian need. Alongside the US, the UK and partners have announced we will open a maritime corridor to deliver aid directly to Gaza. We continue to urge Israel to allow more trucks into Gaza as the fastest way to get aid to those who need it.
Joint Statement from the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States Endorsing the Activation of a Maritime Corridor to Deliver Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza
The United States announced an emergency mission led by the U.S. military to establish a temporary pier in Gaza, in coordination with humanitarian partners and other countries, to enable the delivery of significant quantities of assistance by sea. These efforts will be closely coordinated with the Government of Israel.
The delivery of humanitarian assistance directly to Gaza by sea will be complex, and our nations will continue to assess and adjust our efforts to ensure we deliver aid as effectively as possible. This maritime corridor can—and must—be part of a sustained effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial commodities into Gaza through all possible routes.
US military conducts fourth Gaza airdrop
The US military carried out its fourth airdrop of assistance into Gaza, responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis in the densely populated coastal area on Friday, a US official told Reuters.
Dropping aid from planes is expensive and inefficient. Why do it?
“No excuses, because the truth is aid flowing to Gaza is nowhere nearly enough,” he said. “I won’t stand by, we won’t let up and we’re trying to pull out every stop we can to get more assistance in.”
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday the airdrops were intended to “supplement delivery on the ground,” not replace it.
“You can’t replicate the size and scale and scope of a convoy of 20 or 30 trucks,” he said.
US carries out first airdrop of aid into Gaza
(today)
The U.S. airdrop used C-130 transport aircraft which dropped more than 38,000 meals along Gaza‘s Mediterranean coastline, the U.S. military said in a statement. (…)
A second U.S. official told Reuters the airdrops took place over southwestern Gaza and the town of Mawasi.
64 trucks loaded with various humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip through Rafah board crossing.
Rafah board crossing also witnessed the entry of 40 wounded Palestinians, 26 companions arrived at the crossing along with 78 foreign nationals and 112 holding Egyptian passports.
U.S. Blocks Shipment of Rifles to Israel Over Concerns of West Bank Settler Violence
The Biden administration is holding back a shipment of more than 27,000 U.S.-made rifles intended for Israel’s national police over concerns they could end up transferred to extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank, U.S. officials said.
#LIVE: The meeting has adjourned Security Council members, meanwhile, continue negotiations on a draft resolution, and are scheduled to reconvene this afternoon (Friday) at 5:30 PM New York time Stay with us for further developments
The draft resolution has only 3 OPs. It „takes note and acts upon“ the UNSG Art. 99 letter. It was officially circulated in the #UNSC – Voting date and time TBD, but it‘s most likely on Friday. Here‘s the text:
„The Security Council,
PP1. Recalling its resolutions on the situation on the Middle East,
PP2. Taking note of and acting upon the letter dated 6 December 2023 of the Secretary-General, under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations, addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/2023/962),
PP3. Expressing grave concern over the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population,
OP1. Demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire;
OP2. Reiterates its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians;
OP3. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council on an urgent and continuing basis on the state of implementation of the present resolution;
OP4. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.“
CAIR Welcomes UN Chief’s Invocation of Rare Article 99 Over Gaza Genocide
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the invocation of a rare clause ordering the UN Security Council to meet to discuss an urgent ceasefire in Israel’s ethnic cleansing and genocide in Gaza.
I‘ve just invoked Art.99 of the UN Charter – for the 1st time in my tenure as Secretary-General.
Facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, I urge the Council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe & appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.
Israel, Hamas agree to temporary cease-fire, hostage release deal including freeing 3 Americans
Qatari mediators were previously seeking a deal for Hamas to release 50 Israeli hostages, Reuters reported. Among those hostages would be three Americans, including Abigail Mor Idan.
Approximately 10 Americans remain unaccounted for.
The crisis in Gaza is growing. Israeli airstrikes are destroying residential buildings and public infrastructure. Restrictions on humanitarian aid make life even harder. Stop the bombing NOW.
Possibility of nuclear negotiations in New York
Iran‘s recent action against some of the IAEA inspectors was carried out in response to the issuance of an unnecessary statement by three European countries and the United States in the recent meeting of the Council of Governors against Iran.
“Constructive cooperation between Iran and the IAEA continues within the agreed framework and Iran does not seek to limit its cooperation with the IAEA,” announced Iranian diplomat in his weekly presser.
Poll Shows Far-Right Likud-led Coalition Down 10 Seats and Losing Majority
The results of the Channel 12 survey give the current 64-seat coalition just 54 seats, while the former government gets 61, with Hadash Ta’al taking the remaining five. The drop is more dramatic in the Channel 13 survey, which has the current coalition at 50 seats, the former government at 61, and six to Hadash-Ta’al.
Government FINALLY reaches pay deal with NHS unions after months of strikes
(16 Mar 2023)
After three months of strikes, the Government has offered a one off bonus this year of 2.5% for the best paid and 8.2% for the worst paid.
The offer, recommended by most of the main NHS unions, comes on top of the 4% increase already implemented for 2022/23.
This award had come with inflation at over 10% and had sparked the strikes.
List of Public DNS Servers
DNS server has a very powerful function in network topology. Please keep in mind that it might log your queries (which is a huge information leak).
Further, not all of the DNS servers listed above return correct answers in any case. Some of them return failures for harmful or malicious sites. Check the operators website for more information on this topic.
For security reasons, it is required to use DNS servers which support DNSSEC. For privacy and availability reasons, avoid using just one providers‘ DNS servers.
U.S. bars ex-spies from becoming ‚mercenaries,‘ following Reuters series
(March 16, 2022)
“We don‘t want our best trained intel officers going straight into the hands of foreign governments for the sake of money,“ Castro said. „This discourages intelligence mercenaries and protects our national interest.“
The UAE spying operation, called Project Raven, hacked into Facebook and Google accounts and thousands of Apple iPhones, targeting activists that human rights groups say were later arrested and tortured
BREAKING: Russian Defense Ministry announces temporary ceasefire in Ukraine from 10:00 Moscow time, with humanitarian corridors to be established for exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha
Israel to Scrap COVID Green Pass for Most Entertainment Venues From Sunday
Israel‘s coronavirus cabinet decided to abolish its so-called green passport program for most places of entertainment, including hotels, restaurants, gyms and movie theaters, effectively removing barriers to entry for the unvaccinated.
The new policy will come into effect on Sunday, and will leave the proof of vaccination in place for events “with significantly greater risk of infection,” such as weddings and parties.
Knesset passes ‘COVID law,’ ending state of emergency in place for most of pandemic
(26 Jan 2022)
The Knesset on Tuesday passed the so-called “coronavirus law,” bringing an end to the state of emergency that has been in place for most of the pandemic and requiring greater legislative supervision over COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government.
The new law will go into effect on February 1 and last until the end of 2022.
U-turn on mandatory Covid vaccinations for NHS and social care workers
Mandatory Covid jabs for NHS and social care workers are set to be scrapped, The Telegraph can reveal, after warnings of crippling staff shortages if the plan went ahead.
Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, will on Monday meet fellow ministers on the Covid-Operations Cabinet committee to rubber stamp the decision on the about-turn.
Rishi Sunak ‚thinks Boris Johnson WON‘T survive Partygate and has ALEADY built a dummy campaign website as he prepares leadership bid‘
– Rishi Sunak ‚thinks Boris Johnson won‘t survive Partygate and has built a dummy campaign website‘
– The Chancellor is said to be preparing a leadership campaign in the event the Prime Minister is deposed
– Mr Johnson is fighting for his political life as he awaits results of inquiry into ‚Partygate‘ drama
– His wife Carrie Johnson is accused of organising a cake for Mr Johnson‘s 56th birthday party in June 2020
– Miss Gray is said to be furious that Scotland Yard has asked for a redacted version of her report
– The Met Police asked for only ‚minimal references‘ to ‚parties‘ at centre of the row to be in document
Download Festival is ‚100 per cent evidence‘ that big music events can take place safely says organiser after 10,000 rock fans enjoyed three-day party
Crowds, who had to provide a negative PCR test before arrival, were allowed to mosh and hug at the camping-only festival as they were freed from strict Covid regulations while onsite.
But the rock and metal event‘s capacity was reduced by 90 per cent from 111,000 to around 10,000 as it was allowed to run as a smaller pilot event rather than being cancelled for the second year running.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire holds, Egyptian mediators shuttle between the two sides
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip held on Saturday as Egyptian mediators pressed on with talks with the two sides on securing longer-term calm, officials said.
Remarks by President Biden on the Middle East
(20.05.2021)
THE PRESIDENT: Folks, I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Earlier today, I spoke with President Al Sisi of Egypt.
And Minister — Prime Minister Netanyahu informed me that Israel has agreed to a mutual, unconditional ceasefire to begin in less than two hours. The Egyptians have now informed us that Hamas and the other groups in Gaza have also agreed.
Israel-Gaza ceasefire comes into effect, ending 11 days of intensive fighting
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office said Thursday night that the cabinet had unanimously approved the truce without preconditions on the recommendation of all defense officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman, Mossad Director Yossi Cohen and National Security Advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat.
The statement said that Israel‘s achievements in Operation Guardian of the Walls were „unprecedented.“
„After attorney general requests deferral, High Court says a new date for the hearing will be set within 30 days and that the Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah will remain in their homes until a decision is made“
Ready to rock… and not a mask in sight! Thousands of music fans head to live gig in Liverpool headlined by indie band Blossoms in latest government Covid test event
Ticketholders had to take a Lateral Flow Test at a community testing site 24 hours before the event and had to produce a negative result to gain entry.
Attendees will then have to take another test five days after the event as part of the ERP‘s research.
Ahead of the event, Festival Republic Managing Director Melvin Benn said: ‚This event is not about pushing vaccines or passports, we do not want to limit attendance to our events in any way.
It‘s party time again! 6,000 clubbers in Liverpool return to dancefloor for Britain‘s first post-lockdown rave (but doors open at 2pm and pre-drinks are replaced by Covid tests)
– Thousands of revellers are returning to the dancefloor at the UK‘s first post-lockdown ‚nightclub‘ rave today
– But there will be tent of scientists outside the venue monitoring their behaviour at the two-day mini festival
Clubbers return to the dancefloor in Liverpool as 3,000 attend pilot event
Clubbers have been able to return to the dancefloor at a pilot event for 3,000 people.
Club night Circus hosted The First Dance in Liverpool, where revellers – who all had to produce negative Covid tests – did not have to wear face coverings or socially distance for the first time since before lockdown began.
It‘s time to bring troops home from Afghanistan: Joe Biden
WASHINGTON: After 20 years of American valour and sacrifice in Afghanistan, it‘s time to bring troops home, US President Joe Biden has said, assuring fellow citizens that his administration will maintain capabilities to suppress future threats to the homeland.
Biden made this assurance to war-weary Americans in his maiden address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday.
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by President Biden — Address to a Joint Session of Congress
And American leadership means ending the forever war in Afghanistan.
We have the greatest fighting force in the history of the world.
And I’m the first President in 40 years who knows what it means to have had a child serving in a warzone.
Today we have service members serving in the same war as their parents once did.
We have service members in Afghanistan who were not yet born on 9/11.
War in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multi—generational undertaking of nation—building.
We went to Afghanistan to get the terrorists who attacked us on 9/11.
We delivered justice to Osama Bin Laden and we degraded the terrorist threat of al Qaeda in Afghanistan.
After 20 years of American valor and sacrifice, it’s time to bring our troops home.
Even as we do, we will maintain an over—the—horizon capability to suppress future threats to the homeland.
But make no mistake – the terrorist threat has evolved beyond Afghanistan since 2001 and we will remain vigilant against threats to the United States, wherever they come from.
Al Qaeda and ISIS are in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and other places in Africa and the Middle East and beyond.
And, we won’t ignore what our own intelligence agencies have determined – the most lethal terrorist threat to the homeland today is from white supremacist terrorism.
U.S. and Iran Agree to Resume Talks on Nuclear Deal
A face-to-face meeting between officials from the two countries over the nuclear agreement would be the first since late 2017, months before the Trump administration withdrew from the deal in May 2018.