Al Jazeera English
‘A calamity’: Why is a record heatwave sweeping South Asia?
Swaths of South Asia are enduring a record-breaking heatwave, with India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh recording temperatures far exceeding seasonal norms. The extreme heat poses severe risks to public health, agriculture, and infrastructure across one of the world's most densely populated regions. Scientists point to climate change as a key driver, warning that such events will become more frequent and intense in the years ahead.
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After 18 months of mourning, a Gaza son is found alive in an Israeli prison
A Gaza family spent 18 months grieving a son they believed was dead, only to learn he was alive and detained in an Israeli prison. The case highlights the profound information blackout surrounding detainees held since the conflict escalated, leaving families in agonizing uncertainty. For this family, the revelation transforms mourning into a new ordeal — navigating the opaque system to secure his release.
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US military says it carries out retaliatory strikes against Iran
The U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes against Iran on Thursday, targeting sites linked to attacks on American forces. The Pentagon characterized the Iranian actions as unprovoked hostilities, signaling a direct military escalation between the two countries. The strikes mark a significant intensification of tensions that have long simmered across the region.
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Sexual violence against Palestinians in Israeli prisons is ‘systematic’
Israeli detention facilities have become sites of systematic sexual abuse against Palestinian prisoners, according to analysts examining documented cases. The findings point to an organized pattern of violations rather than isolated incidents, raising serious questions about institutional oversight and accountability. Human rights observers say the scale and consistency of reported abuses suggest deliberate policy rather than individual misconduct.
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Iran seizes oil tanker Ocean Koi in Gulf of Oman, state media says
Iran has seized the oil tanker Ocean Koi in the Gulf of Oman, with state media reporting the vessel was escorted to Iran's southern coast and turned over to judicial authorities. The incident marks another flashpoint in a region already fraught with maritime tension, where Iran has previously used tanker seizures as geopolitical leverage. The move is likely to draw swift condemnation from Western powers and raise fresh concerns about the security of vital shipping lanes.
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