分类： world

Iraq, often referred to as the cradle of civilisation, is facing a dire threat to its archaeological heritage due to the escalating impacts of climate change. Rising soil salinity, exacerbated by harsh and dry weather conditions, is accelerating the deterioration of ancient sites such as Ur, the birthplace of the Biblical patriarch Abraham, and Babylon, once the magnificent capital of empires. Experts warn that these historical treasures, which have stood for thousands of years, are now at risk of disappearing. The majestic Ziggurat of Ur, a 4,000-year-old stepped pyramid temple dedicated to the moon god Nanna, is particularly vulnerable. Sand dunes and wind are eroding its northern sections, while salt deposits are eating away at the mud bricks of the Royal Cemetery of Ur, discovered in the 1920s. Nearby, the ancient city of Babylon is also in peril, with high salinity levels threatening its clay-based structures adorned with Sumerian drawings. Improper restoration practices in previous decades have made these structures more susceptible to damage. Iraq’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has highlighted the urgent need for restoration, but a lack of funding remains a significant challenge. The country, already scarred by decades of warfare, now faces a new battle against climate change, which is altering its ecosystem and endangering its historical footprint. Without immediate intervention, these ancient cities, which offer invaluable insights into the Sumerian empire and the world’s first civilisations, may be lost forever.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a catastrophic health crisis, with over 1,000 Palestinians in need of medical treatment having died since the war began, according to Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of al-Shifa Hospital. The dire situation is exacerbated by Israel’s stringent restrictions on essential medical supplies entering the Gaza Strip, leaving the already collapsing health system in ruins. Since the ceasefire began on October 11, only 10 percent of the required medical supplies have reached the besieged enclave, leaving more than 350,000 patients with chronic conditions without access to vital medication. Hospitals are overwhelmed, receiving the bodies of patients who succumb to their illnesses daily due to the lack of medicine. ‘Without treatment, their fate is death,’ Abu Salmiya warned. Additionally, 22,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 who have completed the necessary paperwork, are unable to travel abroad for treatment due to the continued closure of crossings by Israel. Women and children are among the most vulnerable, with newborn mortality rates skyrocketing from 10 percent before the war to over 40 percent now. Pregnancy-related mortality rates have also risen drastically. The crisis worsened after Israel launched a wave of heavy air strikes across Gaza, killing 104 people, including 46 children, and wounding hundreds more. Abu Salmiya described the situation as a ‘massacre,’ with the wounded dying before their eyes due to the lack of medical attention. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Palestinian Civil Defence search-and-rescue team, highlighted the severe lack of equipment, which has drastically limited their ability to carry out rescue operations. ‘Thousands of people in Gaza have died because civil defence teams were unable to reach them immediately and efficiently to rescue them,’ he explained. Israel has yet to allow heavy equipment into Gaza for use by the civil defence, with any machinery entering the enclave being used solely to retrieve the bodies of Israeli captives killed in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have killed at least 68,643 Palestinians and wounded over 170,000, with most of those killed being civilians. Around 10,000 are missing and believed to be dead and buried under rubble.

In a significant escalation of tensions, Israeli forces conducted a deadly incursion into southern Lebanon on Thursday, resulting in the killing of a municipal worker. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun swiftly responded by ordering the armed forces to confront any future Israeli incursions, emphasizing the defense of Lebanese territory and citizen safety. The Israeli military confirmed the raid, stating it targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and fired upon a ‘suspect’ deemed an immediate threat. The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who labeled it a ‘flagrant aggression against Lebanese sovereignty.’

According to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), Israeli troops stormed the Blida municipality building, where employee Ibrahim Salameh was sleeping, and fatally shot him. The health ministry confirmed his death, and an AFP journalist documented bullet holes and bloodstains at the scene. Blida’s mayor explained that Salameh was on duty, as most homes in the area were destroyed during last year’s conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Israeli military defended its actions, claiming the building was used by Hezbollah for ‘terrorist activity under the guise of civilian infrastructure.’ Meanwhile, in the nearby village of Adaisseh, Israeli forces reportedly destroyed a religious ceremony hall at dawn. This raid comes despite a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, which has not halted Israel’s regular air strikes on Lebanon, often targeting Hezbollah positions.

The UN rights commission reported that Israeli forces have killed 111 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire. Hezbollah, weakened by the war, faces increasing pressure from the US to disarm. During a recent meeting of ceasefire monitors, US envoy Morgan Ortagus urged the Lebanese army to fully implement its plan to bring all weapons under state control by year-end. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further escalation in the region.

In a significant development in the high-profile Louvre jewel heist case, French authorities have apprehended a third suspect linked to the audacious robbery. According to reports from BFM TV, the arrest occurred late Wednesday in the Paris region. The suspect is believed to have been present at the scene during the theft, which took place on the morning of October 19. The heist involved four masked thieves who brazenly stole precious jewels from the Louvre’s Apollo gallery, which houses the French Crown Jewels, during the museum’s opening hours. This incident has raised serious concerns about security at the world’s most-visited museum. Earlier, two other suspects were arrested last weekend and have reportedly ‘partially admitted’ their involvement in the crime. Despite these arrests, the stolen jewels remain missing, adding to the mystery and urgency of the ongoing investigation.