Two-Day Pager Explosions in Lebanon and Syria Kill 29, Injure 3,000 in Israeli Attack
On Tuesday, thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon, killing at least a dozen people — including two children — and wounding at least 2,800. Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon was among those wounded.
On Wednesday, Lebanon was hit with a second wave of lethal explosions as walkie-talkies detonated in Beirut and other parts of the country. Multiple explosions were reported at a funeral for three Hezbollah members and a child who was killed in the attacks the day before. At least 20 people were killed and over 450 wounded.
Hezbollah and the Lebanese government blamed the attack on Israel.
“We hold the Israeli enemy fully responsible for this criminal aggression that also targeted civilians,” Hezbollah said, according to CBS News. The U.N. has condemned the attacks and called for an independent investigation.
A U.S. official said Israel briefed the U.S. on the operation on Tuesday after it concluded. While the Israeli military has refused to comment, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said that a “new era of war” was beginning and “the center of gravity is moving north,” tacitly referencing the Lebanon border and Israel’s role in the twin attacks.
UN Adopts Drafted Resolution Demanding Israel End ‘Unlawful’ Occupation Within 12 Months
On Wednesday, the United Nations adopted a Palestinian-drafted resolution demanding Israel end “its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” within 12 months. The resolution received 124 votes in favor, 14 votes against, including the U.S. and Israel, with 43 countries abstaining.
The resolution also calls for states to “take steps toward ceasing the importation of any products originating in the Israeli settlements, as well as the provision or transfer of arms, munitions, and related equipment to Israel … where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they may be used in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
The vote comes less than a just one week before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to address the 193-member General Assembly at the annual U.N. gathering Sept. 26.
Taliban Suspends Polio Vaccination Campaign in Afghanistan
Health officials warned that Afghanistan is at risk of a polio outbreak after the U.N. reported Monday that the Taliban had “temporarily suspended” polio vaccine campaigns over security concerns and new restrictions on women. Instead, Taliban officials seek to move vaccination efforts to local mosques, where families would be expected to bring their children.
“For the eradication to be successful, we need to cover more than 95 percent of children with two doses of the vaccine,” said an anonymous health official involved in the campaign. “[Without the door-to-door campaigns], the whole country [is] at risk, even the region,” they say.
Afghanistan is one of two countries where polio is still endemic. The WHO has confirmed 18 polio cases in Afghanistan this year, an increase from six cases in 2023.
Extreme Weather Across Europe; 7 Killed in Wildfires, Thousands Evacuate Submerged Cities
At least 20 people have been killed as Storm Boris hit Central Europe last Thursday, causing some of the most catastrophic flooding in Europe in decades. Hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and displaced, with many others missing. Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary have been especially affected. As waters continue to rise, forecasters expect flooding to reach eastern Germany and submerge the city of Dresden.
Meanwhile, Portugal battles dozens of wildfires as the death toll reaches seven. The fires have so far scorched around 24,700 acres of land. Across the country, over 4,500 firefighters, 1,000 vehicles, and 20 aircrafts have been sent to combat the flames.
Europe is the world’s fastest-warming continent, and scientists warn that extreme weather will continue as a result of climate change.
Six Foreigners Arrested In Venezuela Over Alleged Maduro Asassination Plot
Three Americans, two Spaniards, and one Czech citizen were arrested last Saturday after being accused of coming to Venezuela in an attempt to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro, other high-ranking political figures, and overthrow the government. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello also says Venezuelan authorities have seized 400 U.S. rifles linked to the plot.
“The CIA is at the forefront of this operation,” Cabello said in the Saturday news conference, also accusing Spain’s National Intelligence Center of involvement. Both the US and Spain denied these claims.
The announcement comes just two days after the U.S. Deppeartment of the Treasury imposed sanctions on 16 allies of Maduro, who the U.S. government accused of human rights abuses and of obstructing voting during the highly disputed July 28 Venezuelan presidential election.
