The article discusses Israel's plans to build a large facility in Rafah, Gaza, which is reportedly a military-controlled camp for Palestinians. Satellite images show land clearing in Rafah, supporting claims of preparation for this facility. The reopening of the Rafah border crossing comes with strict conditions enforced by Israel.
Key Facts
Israel plans to build a large facility in Rafah, Gaza, which could hold hundreds of thousands of people.
Retired Israeli General Amir Avivi mentioned that the facility will include identification checks and facial recognition.
Satellite images confirm that land clearing in Rafah has been extensive, clearing about 1.3 square kilometers.
The cleared area is next to Israeli military posts, indicating ongoing military control.
The facility is perceived as a controlled camp rather than a shelter for humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu insists on security control over the Rafah border crossing.
This project is part of a broader Israeli military presence in Gaza, occupying significant parts of the area.
Flooding in southern Mozambique has caused many families to leave their homes. They have moved to temporary camps for safety. A reporter is observing the situation in one of these camps.
Key Facts
Flooding is happening in southern Mozambique.
Many families have been displaced due to the floods.
People are moving to informal camps for safety.
A journalist from Al Jazeera is reporting from a camp in Chokwe.
Women and children are among those affected by the floods.
Olivia Dean will perform at the Mobo Awards, which celebrates Black music in the UK and globally. The event will take place in Manchester on March 26th for the first time and marks the 30th anniversary of the Mobo Awards. American rapper Eve will co-host the ceremony along with comedian Eddie Kadi.
Key Facts
Olivia Dean will perform at the Mobo Awards and her album "The Art Of Loving" is nominated for four awards.
The Mobo Awards ceremony will be held at Manchester's Co-op Live on March 26th for the first time.
Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage is included in the list of performers.
The show will be hosted by American rapper Eve and comedian Eddie Kadi.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Mobo Awards.
Other performers include R&B group Flo, and the rapper Little Simz.
The awards celebrate Black music in the UK and other countries.
Additional performers and honorees will be announced later.
Ecuador's government reported that a U.S. immigration agent tried to enter its consulate in Minneapolis but was stopped by consular staff. Ecuador has filed a complaint with the U.S., citing the incident violated international agreements that protect consulate spaces.
Key Facts
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent attempted to enter the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis.
Consular officials stopped the agent to protect Ecuadorians inside the building.
Ecuador's foreign ministry stated the attempt violated the 1963 Vienna Convention, which makes consulate premises off-limits without consent.
Ecuador filed a formal complaint with the U.S. embassy in Quito after the incident.
The issue marks a rare disagreement between Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa and President Trump’s administration.
The incident occurred amid tensions in Minneapolis following recent protests and a fatal shooting by border agents.
President Trump has announced plans to reduce immigration operations in Minnesota.
Sudan is facing a major crisis as millions of people have been forced to leave their homes due to ongoing conflict. Despite difficult conditions and widespread destruction, some people are returning to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. Globally, the number of displaced people has slightly decreased recently, though regional conflicts persist in places like Gaza, Syria, and Yemen.
Key Facts
Sudan now has the world's largest number of internally displaced people, with around 14 million affected.
The UN reports that globally, over 122 million people were displaced in the first half of 2025.
For the first time in ten years, the global number of displaced people dropped by about 5.9 million by mid-2025.
The conflict in Sudan started between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
Infrastructure in Sudan is heavily damaged, making daily life difficult for returnees.
In Gaza, about two million are internally displaced due to recent conflicts, with significant destruction of homes and infrastructure.
Conflicts in Syria and Yemen continue to displace millions, with 12 million displaced in Syria and over five million in Yemen.
Some people return to Khartoum due to nostalgia and a hope for stability, despite the city's extensive infrastructure damage.
Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, India, died in a plane crash. The plane was traveling from Mumbai to Baramati and crash-landed in an open field. An investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Key Facts
Ajit Pawar was the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, India's wealthiest state.
The plane crash occurred while traveling from Mumbai to Baramati, Pawar’s home city.
Five people, including Pawar, died in the crash.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, and authorities are investigating.
Pawar had a long political career, initially starting with the Congress party in the late 1980s.
He was involved with the Nationalist Congress Party and had ties to the Bharatiya Janata Party in recent years.
Pawar was significant in Maharashtra's development, especially in infrastructure projects.
He had faced allegations of corruption, but inquiries into these claims remain unresolved.
Reports of scabies, a skin infestation caused by tiny mites, have increased significantly, with notable rises in the UK. People affected describe it as a tough condition to manage and treat. Stigma around scabies often leads to delays in seeking treatment.
Key Facts
Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, causing severe itching.
Cases in the UK have risen sharply, with a 44% increase in diagnoses at sexual health services between 2023 and 2024.
More than 12,000 consultations for scabies were reported in Wales in 2023-24, compared to 1,300 in 2018-19.
Scabies is spread through close skin contact and is not linked to poor hygiene.
Treatment involves applying a special cream to the whole body and washing all clothes and bedding at a high temperature.
Stigma around scabies can lead to embarrassment, causing people to delay seeking treatment.
Those affected by scabies often experience significant physical discomfort and emotional distress.
Attacks on fertility clinics in Gaza have affected many Palestinians trying to become parents. These attacks, along with supply shortages, threaten reproductive healthcare in the region. A UN report suggests these actions may prevent births among Palestinians.
Key Facts
Israel has destroyed nine out of ten fertility clinics in Gaza.
Embryos still in Gaza are at risk due to fuel shortages and lack of liquid nitrogen, which is needed to store them.
A UN report says Israeli attacks on fertility clinics are part of efforts to prevent Palestinian births, considered a genocidal act.
In 2024, a UN Commission found Israel carried out four acts that the UN considers genocidal during the war on Gaza.
The destruction of these clinics has led to a 41% drop in births in Gaza in the first half of 2025 compared to previous years.
The blockade on medical supplies and food by Israel further harms newborns and affects birth rates.
A fertility doctor in Gaza hopes to resume work once conditions improve.
A Russian air and drone attack resulted in the deaths of three people in Ukraine. Two people died in the Kyiv region, and one person in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy condemned these incidents and continues to seek international support to pressure Russia to end the conflict.
Key Facts
Two people were killed in an air attack in the Kyiv region's Bilohorodska community.
One person died in a drone attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
A Russian drone attack injured three people in the Odesa region.
A 17-storey building in Kyiv was damaged, leaving some residents without power.
Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 103 out of 146 Russian drones.
Five people died from a Russian drone attack on a passenger train near Kharkiv.
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy labeled the attacks as "terrorism."
Ukraine's negotiations for peace with Russia are ongoing, with talks facilitated by the US.
A Russian drone attack hit a passenger train in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, resulting in the deaths of at least five people. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the action terrorism.
Key Facts
A Russian drone attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine.
At least five people were killed in this attack.
The incident took place in northeastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy described the attack as terrorism.
The attack involves the use of drones, which are unmanned flying devices.
More than 70,000 people have left Tirah, a region in northwestern Pakistan, due to fears of a military operation against the Pakistan Taliban. The government says bad weather, rather than military actions, is causing the exodus. Local authorities dispute this, and there are ongoing tensions about the possibility of military involvement in the area.
Key Facts
Over 70,000 people, mainly women and children, have fled Tirah, a region bordering Afghanistan.
Fears of a military offensive against the Pakistan Taliban prompted many to leave.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister says no military operation is planned, citing weather as the cause for the migration.
The exodus started after announcements urged residents to leave by January 23 to avoid conflict.
The Tirah area has a history of military activity, including a recent campaign against the Taliban in Bajaur.
Local authorities blame the federal government for the hardships faced by the displaced.
Approximately 10,000 families have registered as displaced, with an extended deadline until February 5.
Residents report recent violence, including mortar explosions, causing deaths and injuries.
Oxfam refuses to give Israel the personal details of its Palestinian staff working in Gaza due to their ongoing humanitarian work amid conflict. Israel required NGOs, including Oxfam, to provide detailed information about their staff, which Oxfam has declined, citing concerns over safety and humanitarian principles. The situation has resulted in the withdrawal of licenses for multiple aid groups in the region.
Key Facts
Oxfam decided not to give Israel personal data about its Palestinian staff in Gaza, citing safety and humanitarian reasons.
Israel has demanded detailed information from NGOs about their workers in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Israel withdrew the licenses of 37 aid groups, including Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, for not meeting "security and transparency standards."
Over 500 humanitarian workers have been reported killed since October 7, 2023.
Israel's Ministry for Diaspora Affairs wants NGOs to give details such as passport copies and names of family members.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) agreed to a limited sharing of staff information, prioritizing safety.
The Palestinian NGOs Network criticized those complying with Israel’s demands, calling it a violation of international humanitarian law.
Israel claims that 23 organizations have agreed to these registration rules.
Parts of Africa are experiencing severe weather due to climate change. In Kenya, there is a serious drought affecting people's lives and livestock. Meanwhile, Mozambique and South Africa have been hit by heavy rains causing floods.
Key Facts
Kenya is facing a severe drought, particularly in areas like Mandera County by the Kenya-Somalia border.
Livestock in Kenya are dying due to lack of water and food caused by the drought.
The Kenya Red Cross Society is helping by bringing water to affected communities.
Some areas in Kenya receive water deliveries only once or twice a week.
Mozambique and South Africa are experiencing heavy rain and floods.
Floodwaters in Mozambique have submerged homes, impacting residents' lives.
There has been little international media coverage on the floods in Mozambique compared to South Africa.
Indian officials announced that they have contained a recent Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal by confirming two cases and monitoring contacts. Neighboring countries have increased health screenings for travelers from India to prevent further spread. The Nipah virus is deadly and spread through animals and close human contact.
Key Facts
India confirmed two cases of the Nipah virus in West Bengal and stated the outbreak is contained.
The Indian health ministry tracked and tested 196 people connected to these cases, all tested negative.
The Nipah virus is transmitted through fruit bats, pigs, and close human contact and has a high death rate.
Neighboring Asian countries introduced health checks at airports and borders for travelers arriving from India.
Key actions by these countries include temperature checks and health declarations at entry points.
The virus was first noted in humans in 1998 in Malaysia and Singapore from infected pigs, causing over 100 deaths.
Nipah has caused outbreaks in countries like Bangladesh, the Philippines, and India, especially in Kerala since 2018.
Israeli settlers set fire to three villages in Masafer Yatta, a region in the occupied West Bank. The United Nations reports that attacks against Palestinians and their property in this area are happening more than ever before.
Key Facts
Israeli settlers targeted three villages in Masafer Yatta.
These villages are located in the occupied West Bank.
The United Nations is monitoring the situation.
It reports that violence against Palestinians and their property is at very high levels.
The context is part of a larger conflict in the region between Israeli settlers and Palestinians.
South Sudan's army has launched a major military operation against opposition forces after losing territory. The operation, called Operation Enduring Peace, urges civilians and aid groups to evacuate certain areas. The situation in South Sudan has raised fears of increased violence and civilian harm.
Key Facts
South Sudan's army announced Operation Enduring Peace against opposition forces.
Civilians in three counties in Jonglei state were told to leave immediately.
Aid groups were given 48 hours to evacuate.
The army aims to recapture towns taken by opposition forces.
The government said the country is not at war, but rather stopping opposition advances.
A senior army commander encouraged violence against civilians, causing international criticism.
Opposition forces, including those loyal to Riek Machar, have taken government positions.
There are claims that charges against Machar are politically driven, conflicting with a peace agreement.
A teacher in Northern Ireland used a 40-year-old law to stop teaching religious education and attending religious assemblies, citing personal beliefs. The teacher, Javed Love, is the first in a decade to use this legal option, which applies only to controlled schools. The law allows teachers to opt out of religious activities for reasons of conscience.
Key Facts
Javed Love is a primary school teacher in Northern Ireland.
He used a legal clause from the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986 to withdraw from teaching religious education (RE).
The law allows teachers to opt out of RE and religious assemblies on "grounds of conscience."
Love believes teaching should involve multiple perspectives, not just one dominant worldview.
The law is applicable only to controlled schools managed by boards and the Education Authority.
Parents can also withdraw their children from RE and religious assemblies by law.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that the RE in Northern Ireland is not taught in a "pluralistic" way and suggested it might be "indoctrination."
The recent court decision did not directly affect Love's case but suggested changes to the RE curriculum might be needed.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to announce ways to strengthen the country's nuclear forces at an upcoming party meeting. This news follows a recent missile test that was conducted under his supervision. Kim has called for the expansion and modernization of missile production to enhance North Korea's strategic deterrent.
Key Facts
Kim Jong Un will present plans to improve North Korea's nuclear capabilities at a party meeting.
This announcement comes after a missile test that aimed to enhance North Korea's defense strategy.
The planned meeting is the first of its kind since 2021, where a five-year defense and economic plan will be revealed.
Kim described the recent missile test as a significant step in advancing their strategic deterrence.
The launched missiles successfully hit a target over 358.5 kilometers (222.7 miles) away in the Sea of Japan.
Japan reported that two missiles landed outside North Korea’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
South Korea detected several short-range ballistic missiles launched from North Korea.
Analysts suggest that the missiles may use a new system to avoid interference with their navigation during flight.
Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned against a US attack on Iran and proposed that the US and Iran resolve their issues through diplomacy. He pointed out that Iran is open to negotiating its nuclear program again and emphasized the importance of regional cooperation. President Donald Trump has shown military strength in the region while indicating a willingness for diplomatic talks.
Key Facts
Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan advised against a US attack on Iran, suggesting diplomatic solutions.
Fidan mentioned that Iran is ready to discuss its nuclear program again.
The US has increased its military presence in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.
President Trump has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf and acknowledged military strength.
Trump indicated support for Iranian antigovernment protesters and suggested help might come.
Fidan recommends dealing with Iran's nuclear issues separately from other topics like missiles or regional influence.
Regional cooperation and understanding are emphasized by Fidan as vital for stability.
A woman named Deanna Bellomo suffered from severe menstrual pain and other symptoms for years without a clear diagnosis. During a visit to her dental hygienist, she was introduced to the possibility of having endometriosis, which was later confirmed by a gynecologic surgeon.
Key Facts
Deanna Bellomo began experiencing painful symptoms related to her menstrual cycle at age 14.
Initially believed to have rheumatoid arthritis, her symptoms included colon spasms, ovary pain, and acne.
After visiting six gynecologists over five years, Bellomo struggled to find an accurate diagnosis.
The turning point came when her dental hygienist suggested she might have endometriosis.
The dental hygienist shared personal experience with endometriosis and provided helpful advice and contacts.
A gynecologic surgeon confirmed Bellomo had an endometrioma, leading to her endometriosis diagnosis.
Bellomo focused on lifestyle changes and self-advocacy while seeking medical help.
