Amnesty International Calls for War Crimes Investigation Over Israel's Actions in Gaza; WHO Completes Initial Polio Vaccination Phase Amidst Conflict
Amnesty demands war crimes probe in Gaza as WHO advances polio vaccination amidst conflict; Al-Qaeda-linked attack in Syria escalates violence.
Amnesty International has called for a war crimes investigation over Israel's destruction of homes and farms in eastern Gaza for creating a buffer zone. The rights group cited severe damage to around 58 square kilometers of the area, affecting over 90 percent of buildings, and violating international laws against wanton destruction and collective punishment.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization successfully concluded the first phase of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza amidst the conflict, reaching nearly 200,000 children with initial doses. This endeavor follows Gaza's first polio case in 25 years, aiming to vaccinate over 640,000 children despite challenging conditions, with future humanitarian pauses planned for comprehensive coverage.
In neighboring Syria, the deadliest attack of 2023 in northwest Syria has left twelve Syrian soldiers dead, perpetrated by the Al-Qaeda-linked group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham in Latakia province. This escalation, despite a Russia-Turkiye brokered ceasefire, highlights the devastating ongoing conflict which began in 2011 and has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and significant displacement.
Shifting to the political arena, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off in a mute-microphone debate on September 10, as agreed upon by Harris' campaign. Despite concerns over the debate format set by ABC News, the Harris campaign accepted to prevent Trump from skipping, ensuring a 90-minute, strictly moderated session with no live audience.
Returning to the U.S., tragedy struck Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, marking the 29th mass killing of 2023 where four people were fatally shot on Wednesday. According to a database by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University, this year has seen at least 127 deaths in mass killings, reflecting a troubling trend in violence.
This heart-wrenching event at Apalachee High School involved a 14-year-old shooter, who killed two students and two teachers, wounding nine others. This incident is part of a disturbing history of school shootings in the U.S., including infamous tragedies like the 2022 Uvalde massacre, the 2018 Parkland shooting, and the 1999 Columbine massacre.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization successfully concluded the first phase of a polio vaccination campaign in Gaza amidst the conflict, reaching nearly 200,000 children with initial doses. This endeavor follows Gaza's first polio case in 25 years, aiming to vaccinate over 640,000 children despite challenging conditions, with future humanitarian pauses planned for comprehensive coverage.
In neighboring Syria, the deadliest attack of 2023 in northwest Syria has left twelve Syrian soldiers dead, perpetrated by the Al-Qaeda-linked group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham in Latakia province. This escalation, despite a Russia-Turkiye brokered ceasefire, highlights the devastating ongoing conflict which began in 2011 and has resulted in over 500,000 deaths and significant displacement.
Shifting to the political arena, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will face off in a mute-microphone debate on September 10, as agreed upon by Harris' campaign. Despite concerns over the debate format set by ABC News, the Harris campaign accepted to prevent Trump from skipping, ensuring a 90-minute, strictly moderated session with no live audience.
Returning to the U.S., tragedy struck Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, marking the 29th mass killing of 2023 where four people were fatally shot on Wednesday. According to a database by The Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University, this year has seen at least 127 deaths in mass killings, reflecting a troubling trend in violence.
This heart-wrenching event at Apalachee High School involved a 14-year-old shooter, who killed two students and two teachers, wounding nine others. This incident is part of a disturbing history of school shootings in the U.S., including infamous tragedies like the 2022 Uvalde massacre, the 2018 Parkland shooting, and the 1999 Columbine massacre.