A music teacher uses Gaza’s relentless soundtrack of war to resist Israel

A music teacher in Gaza has found a way to help others around him cope with the relentless and terrifying sounds and horrific impact of Israel’s genocidal war.

The nonstop buzz of Israeli drones overhead long predates the constant bursts of gunfire and explosions since the start of Israel’s war on the besieged enclave.

“In Gaza, there is no escape from the reality of war,” said Al Jazeera’s Ibrahim al-Khalili, reporting from Gaza City, where exploding buildings and chaos reign and desperate people attempt to escape gunfire at food distribution sites.

Added to these horrors is the ever-present sound of Israeli drones, he said, pausing to listen to the sound of a drone flying above.

Musician Ahmed Abu Amsha sings with children in a makeshift camp in Gaza [File: Screen grab/Al Jazeera]

Al-Khalili said drones had hovered over Gaza for years before the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attacks on southern Israel that led to Israel’s war.

Many Palestinians living in Gaza City find the sound of them unbearable, he said, explaining that “it’s not just surveillance. It’s psychological warfare – a noise meant to unnerve, to break people down.”

Even before the current war, a report published by Save the Children in 2022 found that four out of five children in the Gaza Strip suffered from depression, sadness and fear caused by the punishing Israeli blockade on the territory.

However, music teacher Ahmed Abu Amsha has found a creative way to help those feeling distressed by the threatening buzzing above, by turning this sound meant to torment into something positive: a song.

“We had this idea come from what we live, what we suffer here,” said Abu Amsha. “When we have [drone] activity here, the kids ask me ‘Mr, We are tired from the annoying sound,’ [but] I told them ‘No, we have to sing with it.’”

“We have to turn it into something good, and [so] we sing,” said Abu Amsha, adding that the group often records videos of themselves as they sing to post onto the social media platform Instagram. “The idea from these video songs, it’s to turn the sound of the war into music and make it something beautiful.”

The videos shared on Abu Amsha’s Instagram account, which have been viewed by thousands of people, aren’t about creating art, but about refusing to “let a machine – built to watch and intimidate – define what it means to live” in Gaza, said al-Khalili. It’s a form of resistance.

Forest sign ‘versatile’ Juventus defender Savona

Images courtesy of Getty
  • 48 Comments

Italian international defender Nicolo Savona has been signed by Nottingham Forest for a five-year contract worth up to £13.4 million (15.5%).

The club has been busy since manager Nuno Espirito Santo questioned their recruitment before the new season, and the 22-year-old is Forest’s ninth signing of the summer.

Savona, who has been a Juventus employee since he was eight, will start at £11.2 million (13 million euros), with potential additions of £2.2 million (2. 5 million euros), according to a statement from the Italian club.

He made his senior debut last year for Juventus, appearing in 40 games across the Champions League, Club World Cup, and Serie A.

Savona can play primarily as a right-back, but he can also play as a left-back and a center-back.

Despite missing out, his performances last season earned him a call-up to the Italy squad.

After joining Juventus on a season-long loan, Douglas Luiz moved to Forest.

“I’m very excited to be here,” he said. For me as a person and player, it is a new experience. The move is a dream come true because it is such a historic club,” Savona said.

Savona, according to Chief Football Officer Ross Wilson, is a “versatile player who will be another strong option in our defensive unit” who “understands the demands of playing for a big club.”

Omari Hutchinson, a winger from Ipswich for close to £30 million, James McAtee, a midfielder from Manchester City, Arnaud Kalimuendo from Rennes for a reported initial fee of £26 million, and Dan Ndoye, a winger from Bologna for £35 million, are the other big signings for Forest this summer.

Additionally, they acquired Norwich’s keeper Angus Gunn from Norwich, Luiz, and striker Igor Jesus from Botafogo, as well as Jair Cunha and Jair Cunha from Botafogo.

related subjects

  • Nottingham Forest
  • Premier League
  • Football

EU nations divided on sanctioning Israel for Gaza war as FMs meet

In the midst of Israeli death, destruction, and man-made starvation, a tussle between a divided European Union foreign ministers is raging over what to do in response to the bloc’s humanitarian aid chief’s recommendation to “find a strong voice that reflects our values and principles” in the besieged enclave.

At a meeting on Saturday in Copenhagen, the Danish capital, ministers from the EU’s 27 member nations gathered to discuss the war.

Additionally, they will discuss a proposal to impose a first-class punitive measure on Israeli start-ups by suspending EU funding. The bloc has so far failed to elicit the support needed to take that step, let alone to advance with more coercive measures against Israel.

There are divisions between member states, such as Spain and Ireland, who want to put a lot of pressure on Israel to put an end to its repressing attacks on Palestinians, and its strong allies, such as Germany and Hungary, who want nothing or nothing at all.

Prior to the meeting, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares claimed that the EU is “doing nothing” and “too little too late” when it comes to the situation in Gaza. During the Copenhagen meetings, he claimed he wanted to put more pressure on Israel.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated on Saturday: “We are witnessing the most catastrophic humanitarian catastrophe. Israel must alter its course. We must discover a common ground. By requiring words to be transformed into sanctions, I’m not disclosing a secret. Denmark is prepared to impose sanctions on the government of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some members of his administration by suspending the trade chapter of the association agreement.

Before the meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated to reporters: “We are definitely not going to take decisions today.

It “ascertains that we are divided,” it says.

Numerous EU governments have harshly criticized Israel’s actions during the conflict, particularly given the restrictions on humanitarian aid and the deaths of civilians.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IFSPC), a global hunger monitor that collaborates with the United Nations and other major aid organizations, announced last week that it had found that Gaza was in trouble, a finding that Israel rejected despite overwhelming evidence.

However, the EU members have differed on a common response, with some calling for economic sanctions against Israel and others urging the continuation of dialogue.

After the United States announced it would refuse visas to members of the Palestinian Authority, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said there should be no restrictions on access to the UN General Assembly the following month.

According to Barbor, “A UN General Assembly meeting should not be subject to any restrictions on access.”

Israel’s access to an EU research-funding program was proposed last month by the EU’s executive body, but it has so far failed to receive enough support from member nations.

According to diplomats, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland have all expressed support for the proposal, but others, like Germany and Ital, have not so far, according to diplomats.

“Urban mood on European streets”

Hashem Ahelbarra, a journalist in Copenhagen, reported on how the EU members are having a difficult time dealing with Gaza and Israel’s issue of imposing sanctions.

He continued, “The issue is that there is a change of mood on the streets of Europe,” noting that the pressure is getting worse on European politicians.

More and more people in Europe claim that the EU has broken its commitments to protecting human rights and humanitarian law.

The EU’s humanitarian assistance division’s commissioner for crisis management, Hadja Lahbib, said it was “time for the EU to find a collective voice on Gaza.”

She made it clear she wanted to put more pressure on Israel when she spoke to reporters in Brussels this week, but she declined to specify what action she felt was needed.

She said of Gaza, “What is happening there is haunting me and should haunt all of us.” because it’s tragic. And history will determine our fate.

Ukraine is also on the agenda.

The EU’s foreign ministers are also expected to discuss the Ukraine war and the future of some 210 billion euros ($245.85 billion) of Russian assets that have been frozen in the EU as a result of Moscow’s sanctions.

Ukraine and a number of EU nations, including Poland and the Baltic States, have demanded that Kyiv’s assets be used for its support.

Amazon’s Kids Kindle gets axed in price just in time for first week of term

Parents who want their children to read with an appropriate age-appropriate e-reader won’t want to snooze on this sale, which has reduced the price of Amazon’s Kids Kindle just in time for school to begin.

Amazon’s Kids Kindle gets axed in price just in time for first week of term(Image: Amazon)

In 2019, Amazon unveiled its new Kindle Kids Edition, a version made specifically for children. A protective case and a year-free subscription to a special, kid-friendly version of the company’s Kindle book store are included with the new Kindle Kids Edition, according to the company. Owners of the device are also covered by a two-year “worry-free guarantee,” which means they can replace it without charge and lose it or damage at any time during that time.

Parents may be looking for a safe way to encourage their children to read more, with some of the best children’s books due to start in the upcoming weeks, whether through extracurricular reading or schoolwork. And for less, you can currently purchase an Amazon Kindle with a special offer for kids.

READ MORE: Strictly filming’s director Dani Dyer reveals the “long-lasting” setting spray she swears by.

READ MORE: In the final week of the summer holidays, lace-up shoes “Great for school” are reduced by 40%.

Amazon Kindle Kids (16 GB)
This Amazon Kindle Kids (16 GB) is now £25 less(Image: Amazonm)

The company’s Fire For Kids Unlimited subscription service provides access to the same child-friendly content as Amazon’s successful line of Kids Edition Fire tablets, which are available in e-readers as well. One of Amazon’s most well-known and popular devices is still the Kindle e-reader. They provide access to thousands of books in one place and battery life for several weeks.

The technology giant promises that the Kindle Kids Edition includes features to encourage children to build their reading and vocabulary skills. These include achievement badges for reaching reading goals, a Word Wise simple definition tool, and a Vocabulary Builder, which automatically adds looked-up words to a library and creates a dedicated flashcard of them for future review and learning.

This e-reader is ideal for children between the ages of 3 and 12 because of its light, compact design, and ease of use. This Kindle has thousands of books from classic graphic novel and chapter books, all stored in 16 GB. Its use as a portable device (via USB-C) is ideal for reading on the go or on the go on a single charge.

This Kindles Kids is currently available for purchase for less than £89.99 on Amazon and from Argos and Very, which retails for £114.99.

Parents who bought this gadget for their children can’t stop giggling at the sight of it. One customer claims that the Amazon Kindle for Kids is by far their best purchase of the year. It is adored by my kids in every way. They can travel with it anywhere, whether it’s on vacation or just outside the garden, and read quietly without carrying heavy books. Since it was created specifically for reading, I don’t have to worry about distractions because the screen is clear and easy on the eyes. They are happily entertained and learning thanks to the battery’s endless hours, which is a huge plus. There will be no more tussles over who will read what next, so I ended up buying a second one because they were both so into it! It’s such a wonderful way to foster a love of reading. Highly recommended for parents”!

Continue reading the article.

Another customer gushes: “Bought this for my daughter for Christmas. She loves the included case, whose design is beautiful. The Kindle itself downloads books easily when in range of the wifi, and the size is perfect for putting in her handbag (she’s been taking it everywhere!). She’s almost 10 and has picked it up easily enough and her younger sister (7) can use it too. We haven’t charged the battery yet and she started using it straight out of the box, so battery life seems good. It’s lightweight so doesn’t weigh down your hands, similar to weight of a smartphone. It comes with Amazon kids included for a period of time, which has meant she can download lots of books without me having to pay for any so far (she reads avidly). All in all a good little e-reader.”

NAHCON Releases 2026 Hajj Schedule, Urges Pilgrims On Timely Registration

The 2026 Hajj exercise’s successful coordination has been made public by the Nigerian National Hajj Commission.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi authorities will take place in November 2025, as stated in a statement showing the crucial timelines on Friday. This will officially mark the start of the Hajj preparations.

All camp booking payments must be completed and service contract agreements confirmed by January 4, 2026.

The deadline for uploading transportation and accommodation contracts to the Nusuk Masar portal on February 1st, 2026 will follow this.

The commission made a point of highlighting the final day for visa issuance, 2026, and stating that there will be no extensions under any circumstances.

A US Romance Scam Scam In US Pleads Guilty To $ 405,000?

Additionally, NAHCON has set a crucial deadline for states and licensed operators to secure their slots in the pilgrimage, October 8, 2025.

The organization urged state boards, private tour operators, and intending pilgrims to strictly follow the schedule, stressing the importance of strict schedule control to prevent disruptions to Hajj activities.

Zoe Kravitz accidentally insults Austin Butler after the co-stars’ rumoured romance

The two actors, who are rumored to be dating each other in real life, have been busy promoting their new film, Caught Stealing.

Zoe Kravitz accidentally took a swipe at co-star Austin Butler(Image: youtube/@VF)

Zoe Kravitz has been left feeling like she wants the ground to swallow her up after awkwardly taking an accidental swipe at co-star Austin Butler – right in front of him.

When the awkward moment occurred, the pair had been promoting their new movie, Caught Stealing, which was released in theaters on Friday (August 29).

Zoe, 36, and Austin, 34, took a lie detector test for Vanity Fair and she was asked which of the two Sex and the City spin-offs was “better”, And Just Like That… or The Carrie Diaries.

Zoe Kravitz is accused of breaking girl code with Harry Styles and defying Taylor Swift.

Before Harry Styles’ romance, Zoe Kravitz’s ex-partners from Drake to Magic Mike star.

Austin was left taken aback by Zoe's comments
Austin was left taken aback by Zoe’s comments while promoting their new film(Image: youtube/@VF)

She responded, “Neither,” before retorting to “Leave that show alone.” Without realizing that Austin had actually played Sebastian, the main character’s love interest, on the latter, everyone “just stops.”

As a mortified Zoe yelled, “Oh no! ! ! “, he jokingly threw two pieces of paper on the floor. He admitted, “Yes, I was in The Carrie Diaries, but I’m not on that show.”

The actress awkwardly apologized and said she had no idea who he was on the show, which was luckily a result of her being truthful.

The pair’s awkward blunder comes as potential dating rumors are spreading like wild among their friends. In the new dark comedy, they play on-screen lovers, but it seems like this could have also been the case.

Before cameras started rolling, Zoe recently revealed that she and Austin had a break before the action “really helped” with what ended up on screen.

During a pre-recorded chat on Good Morning Britain, she said: “We did prepare, we spent time together, there’s something about when you’re comfortable with someone. We took a road trip to Coney Island together, a bonding experience. We spent time together and I think that really helps.”

The pair have been at the center of dating rumours
The two have been at the center of dating rumours(Image: Variety via Getty Images)

He even leant down on her bare waist as he leant down to speak to her during the film’s premiere, where they even engaged in a flirty exchange.

A source told The Sun: “Their chemistry is as good off-screen as it is on it. Austin and Zoe have been keeping it under the radar and aren’t putting a label on anything yet. They are both very respectful of their ex-partners and are just seeing how things go.”

Both actors previously had a prominent relationship with Kaia Gerber and Channing Tatum, respectively.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, she’s also been linked to Harry Styles after the two were reportedly seen arm-in-arm in Rome last weekend. It’s since been reported that they were spotted “snogging like teenagers” while on a date together at a restaurant in London just days prior.

She's also been linked to Harry Styles
She’s also been linked to Harry Styles after being spotted arm in arm(Image: Gilbert Carrasquillo)

They were alleged to have been on a number of dates this week, but they haven’t labeled their relationship. There is now more rumors, with Harry allegedly throwing Zoe, the Batman star, off her feet.

Harry, 31, and Zoe are said to have spent time together while Zoe is unemployed. According to a different source, there is “clearly an attraction” based on “how public” the two were reportedly kissing after the film’s premiere.

The insider called Harry’s later flying of Zoe to Italy a “nice touch” They did point out that she had a busy schedule while filming it, so the pair are “stealing moments” whenever they can.

Continue reading the article.