Category World News

At least 52 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, medical sources told Al Jazeera, including 36 killed in Gaza City where Israel was escalating attacks in the lead-up to a broader planned offensive.

An Israeli air strike hit a school in Sheikh Radwan, a Gaza City neighbourhood where tens of Palestinians were seeking shelter in makeshift tents in the schoolyard. At least 12 civilians were killed in the attack, Gaza’s Ministry of Health said on Friday.

Footage circulating on social media and verified by Al Jazeera’s fact-checking agency Sanad shows an Israeli quadcopter hovering over a building in Sheikh Radwan as neighbours watch anxiously, before it drops an explosive on its target. The video then cuts to footage of smoke rising from the targeted building.

Another person was killed by Israeli forces in the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City, a medical source at al-Ahli Hospital told Al Jazeera.

Earlier, Israel’s defence minister warned that Gaza’s largest city would be destroyed unless Hamas yielded to Israel’s terms for ending the war.

“The gates of hell will soon open on the heads of Hamas ‘ murderers and rapists in Gaza – until they agree to Israel’s conditions for ending the war”, Israel Katz wrote in a post on X.

Katz restated Israel’s ceasefire demands, which include the release of all captives and Hamas’s complete disarmament. Hamas has said it would release captives in exchange for ending the war, but rejects disarmament without the creation of a Palestinian state.

In response to the latest ceasefire proposal, accepted by Hamas and brokered by Qatar and Egypt, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said he had instructed officials “to begin immediate negotiations” to release remaining captives and end the war.

Yet Netanyahu also confirmed that he would authorise the military to mount a major operation to seize Gaza City, which could start within days.

While many Israelis fear an assault could doom about 20 captives deemed to be alive, Netanyahu maintains the offensive is the surest way to free captives and achieve the war objective of destroying Hamas.

‘ Unbearable grief and pain ‘

Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum said that while Gaza City was being pounded especially hard, Israeli attacks were continuing relentlessly across the Gaza Strip.

“It was another deadly night in Gaza, and this morning is marked by grief and unbearable pain, clearly written on the faces of victims ‘ relatives and emergency responders who spent the night rushing to calls across the Strip”, Abu Azzoum said, reporting from the central city of Deir el-Balah.

“For Palestinians on the ground, these military actions send a clear signal that no matter where they move, no corner of Gaza is spared from any potential Israeli attack”.

An Israeli drone strike on a makeshift tent in the southern city of Khan Younis killed one woman and four children, sources at the Nasser Medical Complex said.

Another Palestinian was killed and others were injured after the Israeli army struck the Jabalia al-Balad area of northern Gaza, according to sources at al-Shifa Hospital.

According to medical sources, at least 52 people have been killed as of early in Friday’s Israeli attacks, according to medical sources.

Five people were killed, according to the sources, and they included those seeking aid. According to medical sources at the al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, an Israeli shooting near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza resulted in the death of one Palestinian aid seeker and the injury of others.

Following more than nine months of demonstrations that have harmed his rule, Serbia’s populist leader has urged dialogue with anti-government protesters in the Balkan nation.

In a post that was accompanied by a video that Serbia shared on Instagram on Friday, President Aleksandar Vucic wrote, “Serbia must resolve its problems with democratic dialogue, not violence.”

He continued, “I invite the blockade movement representatives to a conversation and a discussion in public about visions, discuss our future plans and programs, and overall condemn the violence on our streets.”

Vucic stated in the video address from his Belgrade office that he was prepared to address audience members and other anti-government protesters, including during TV debates.

“I propose that discussion and debate be conducted with legitimate representatives, that is, those they choose,” Vucic said, “on all our televisions, on all our [internet] portals.”

16 people died last November when a roof on a renovated railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, prompting the months of protests across Serbia.

In an effort to overthrow Vucic and his party, protesters have demanded early elections and put the blame on corruption for the station disaster.

Additionally, they accuse the government of repressing media freedoms and using violence against political rivals. All of the allegations are denied by the government.

Up until earlier this month, when dozens of police officers and civilians were hurt in clashes and hundreds were taken into custody, the protests were largely peaceful.

You don’t employ an arsonist in a fire department.

“I want us to confront visions,” and we can resolve it through conversation and dialogue without violence. Vucic urged people to rebuild the nation and put it back on track after nine months.

The possibility of talks was shunned by Move-Change party leader Savo Manojlovic.

This corrupt government, according to Manojlovic, is not a place where political debate can take place, because it tramples on democracy and human rights.

You don’t employ an arsonist in a fire department.

In 2027, Vucic’s second and final five-year term as president is up for election, which is also expected to include parliamentary elections.

During an election campaign, students’ representatives said they would only debate with Vucic.

Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested and appeared in court over allegations he misused state funds while in office, police say.

Wickremesinghe, 76, who led the country during a devastating 2019-2024 economic crisis, had been investigated over a visit he made to London to attend his wife’s graduation, local media reported on Friday.

Police confirmed his arrest for alleged misuse of public funds.

“Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been arrested and produced in court. We are awaiting the court directive to decide what further steps need to be taken”, a police spokesperson said.

Sri Lanka’s anticorruption units have led a crackdown since President Anura Kumara Dissanayake came to power in September on a promise to fight corruption.

A Wickremesinghe ally from his United National Party (UNP) proclaimed his innocence and suggested the case was politically motivated.

“Ranil Wickremesinghe has never misused public funds or state funds”, UNP member Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe told reporters outside the court complex in Colombo where the former president appeared.

“He was the person who stepped up and accepted the challenge to save this country when the economy collapsed”, Warnasinghe said. “That is the person who is being treated like this today by this government”.

Travel expenses

Wickremesinghe had stopped in London in 2023 on his way back to Sri Lanka from Havana, where he attended a G77 summit.

His office had previously denied that he abused his position to visit London.

Three of his then-senior aides were questioned this month by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He and his wife, Maithree, attended a University of Wolverhampton ceremony, where she received an honorary professorship.

Wickremesinghe had maintained that his wife’s travel expenses were met by her and no state funds were used.

However, the CID alleged that Wickremesinghe used government money for his travel on a private visit and his bodyguards were also paid by the state.

Wickremesinghe became president in July 2022 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepped down following months of street protests over alleged corruption and mismanagement. Wickremesinghe lost power in a 2024 election.

In early 2023, he was credited with stabilizing the economy following Sri Lanka’s worst-ever financial meltdown in 2022 and received a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

After government figures revealed that businesses had systematically defrauded 450 million people annually, India’s parliament passed a comprehensive bill banning online gambling.

The ban has an impact on platforms like India’s wildly popular homegrown fantasy cricket apps, which include cards, poker, and fantasy sports.

Additionally, it’s unclear who will be India’s top cricket team’s key sponsor.

The biggest fantasy sports gaming platform in India, Dream11, was named as the nation’s lead sponsor for three years in July 2023, with its logo appearing on Team India jerseys.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made any announcements regarding that significant sponsor.

Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, stated on Friday, “We will not do anything if it’s not permissible.” The BCCI will adhere to all national policies that the central government has set forth.

Late on Thursday, the legislation that criminalizes the offering, promotion, and financing of such games was passed by both chambers of parliament. Offenders could spend up to five years in prison.

In a statement released on Friday, Dream 11 advised fans to “stay tuned” even though the bill had been passed.

The bill still needs to be formally ratified by the president before going into effect, so other games remained online as of Friday.

A government statement stated that “this legislation is intended to reduce addiction, financial ruin, and social distress brought on by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on deceptive promises of quick wealth.”

The Indian gaming sector, which has one of the largest markets worldwide, has been made exceptions for e-sports and educational games, which the government claims will be promoted as part of the digital economy.

The new law, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will “encourage e-sports and online social games” and “at the same time, protect our society from the negative effects of online money games.

Around a third of the world’s most populous nation, according to the government, had lost money gambling online.

Instead of a blanket ban, industry groups had urged regulation and taxation, warning that the move might lead to players turning to illegal offshore platforms.

However, bill supporters claimed that the social costs were excessive.

According to officials, widespread financial distress, addiction, and even suicide have been brought on by the rapid expansion of gambling platforms.

According to the government, it is also connected to terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraud.

The minister of technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, noted that the law distinguishes online “social” games from those that are played for money.

A government briefing note read, “It encourages e-sports, which are organized competitive video games, and promotes safe online social and educational games.”

Despite the disgruntled striker declaring in a heated midweek post on social media that his relationship with the club cannot continue, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is optimistic that Alexander Isak will rejoin the squad.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Isak claimed the club had broken promises about a move that would allow him to leave amid interest from Liverpool and that he was reiterating his desire to relocate, breaking his silence.

Isak’s outburst was addressed by Newcastle, saying no club official had made a commitment to let the striker leave and that they had not received a satisfactory offer from a different team for the Sweden international. On September 1, the transfer window expires.

In a novel twist, Howe announced on Friday that Isak would not play at St James’ Park and that Liverpool will visit on Monday as a follow-up to the saga. After the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the league, he would miss another game in a row.

However, Howe still thinks the club can work with Isak to resolve their differences.

He has worked for us. At a press conference dominated by questions about Isak, Howe said, “He is our player.” He said, “I wish he would be playing with us on Monday night, but he won’t, which is regrettable at this time.”

But I want to see him wearing a Newcastle shirt for the entire time. ”

Even though, according to Howe, Newcastle should have “justifiably” responded to Isak’s social media post by midweek, despite his best efforts to keep such matters secret.

The manager continued to state that Isak is still training with the main squad and that they haven’t met this week.

There are no conflicts between us, Howe claimed. It’s not ideal for both parties, but it’s a challenging situation from both sides, of course. ”

Isak finished second in the Premier League scoring charts last season behind Mohamed Salah, who had 23 goals.

In his Thursday news conference, Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, drew clear terms of conditions out of context.

Although I’m happy with the squad, Slot said, “This club has always shown they can bring a player in who can really make us better,” while declining to be drawn directly on Isak.