Israel Strikes Lebanon Amid Hezbollah's Deepest Rocket Attacks Since Gaza War

Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff

D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Israel Gaza War

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Image Source : EPA

Israel Conducts Strikes on Lebanon as Hezbollah Initiates Most Intense Attacks Since the Gaza Conflict

The Israeli military conducted significant airstrikes in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah executed their most profound missile assaults into Israel since the onset of the Gaza conflict. The strikes aimed targeting Hezbollah missile launchers, leading to a minimum of one fatality and multiple injuries, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry. The UN has cautioned of an impending catastrophe as violence intensifies.

Escalating Hostilities and Rocket Attacks

On early Sunday morning, Hezbollah retaliated with a bombardment of approximately 140 missiles and drones targeting Israel’s Jezreel Valley. The Israeli military announced that hundreds of rockets were launched from Lebanon, with some reaching proximity to the northern city of Haifa. This round of attacks, unlike previous strikes that focused on military installations, targeted residential areas, heightening concerns of future escalation.

 Effects on Non combatants and Infrastructure

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency agency reported four individuals hurt, including a 76 year old man near Haifa. In response, Israel's health ministry directed hospitals in the north to relocate operations to more secure locations, while civil defense authorities mandated the closure of all schools in the region.

Israel's Reaction and Alerts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a grave admonition to Hezbollah, asserting that Israel will not endure assaults on its populace and vowing to reestablish security. Simultaneously, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that the fight with Hezbollah has transitioned into a "new phase."

The Expanding Influence of Hezbollah

The strikes ensue after Hezbollah's assassination of veteran commander Ibrahim Aqil and a series of assaults against Hezbollah operatives, escalating regional tensions. The battle, formerly confined in scope, now risks escalating into a full scale war, as both parties undertake progressively extreme measures.

 Expanded Regional Engagement

The conflict extended beyond Lebanon, when a coalition of pro Iran armed organizations in Iraq asserted responsibility for a drone assault on Israel, indicating further regional engagement. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) verified the interception of many aerial targets originating from Iraq.

As both parties escalate their military operations, experts caution that the situation may deteriorate, potentially resulting in a more extensive battle.

Election in Sri Lanka moves to a historic second count

Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff

D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia

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Image Source : AP

Sri Lanka's Presidential Election Advances to a Historic Second Round of Tabulation

For the inaugural occasion in Sri Lanka's history, the presidential election has proceeded to a second round of counting due to no candidate obtaining above 50% of the votes. The Election Commission declared that the tallying of voters' second and third preferences will commence, as the national electoral framework permits voters to rank up to three candidates in order of preference.

No candidate achieves a majority in the initial round

The preliminary counting of first choice ballots revealed socialist politician Anura Kumara Dissanayake in the lead with 42.31%, followed by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa with 32.76% of the votes. Notwithstanding their robust performances, neither contender succeeded in exceeding the 50% barrier necessary for an outright presidential victory.

Under Sri Lanka's electoral regulations, a candidate must obtain a minimum of 50% plus one vote to be considered victorious. As no candidate attained this in the initial round, the election will advance to a second count, concentrating on the ballots of the eliminated candidates to ascertain whether second and third preferences were indicated for Dissanayake or Premadasa.

Disqualified Candidates and Subsequent Actions

During a news conference, the Election Commission announced that all candidates save Dissanayake and Premadasa have been disqualified from the competition. The second round will ascertain if votes for eliminated candidates may elevate one of the frontrunners to the necessary majority.

Context and Importance

This election signifies a crucial juncture for Sri Lanka, being the inaugural one conducted following the widespread protests in 2022 that resulted in the resignation of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the nation's most severe economic crisis. The election has been among the most contested in Sri Lanka's history, as prior elections were usually determined in the initial round of counting.

According to the Election Commission, seventeen million Sri Lankans were eligible to vote in what has been characterized as one of the most tranquil elections in the nation's history. Notwithstanding the tranquil environment, officials instituted a temporary curfew on Saturday night, claiming public safety issues, which was rescinded by noon the next day.

Dissanayake's Robust Beginning and Premadasa's Resurgence

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, campaigning on a platform of anti corruption and effective government, originally gained significant traction in the polls, appealing to those desiring reform following the recent economic crisis. His initial advantage even elicited congratulations from several prominent individuals, including the foreign minister.

As additional votes were tallied, Sajith Premadasa, the opposition leader, started to narrow the margin. Dissanayake is now the leading candidate, although the ultimate result depends on the allocation of second and third-preference votes in the forthcoming rounds.

Evaluation of Incumbent's Performance

Incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe placed third, obtaining merely 17% of the vote. Wickremesinghe was assigned the responsibility of guiding the nation through its economic recovery following Rajapaksa's resignation; nonetheless, his backing was insufficient to sustain his candidacy.

As Sri Lanka anticipates the results of the second round of counting, attention is focused on the Election Commission to determine the next president in this carefully monitored and significant election.

Four fatalities and 18 injuries reported in Alabama mass shooting

Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff

D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering US

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Image Source : WVTM

Fatal Mass Shooting in Birmingham, Alabama: Four Deceased, 18 Injured

A devastating mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, has resulted in a minimum of four fatalities and 18 injuries, as reported by local officials. The incident transpired late Saturday night in the Five Points South vicinity, a vibrant area renowned for its nightlife. Birmingham Police Officer Truman Fitzgerald verified that "multiple shooters discharged numerous rounds at a gathering of individuals" in the vicinity, resulting in disorder and significant casualties.

Law enforcement arrived at the location on Magnolia Avenue to find the corpses of two males and one female. A fourth victim died from gunshot wounds thereafter in the hospital. The reason and circumstances of the assault remain under investigation, as authorities seek to ascertain whether the assailants arrived on foot or executed the attack from a passing vehicle. No suspects have been apprehended at this time.

Eyewitnesses situated outside a proximate hookah and cigar lounge reported hearing a succession of gunfire. Some characterized the sound as being from a firearm altered to operate as a fully automatic weapon, exacerbating the anxiety and uncertainty during the incident. Magnolia Avenue, the site of the incident, is a prominent thoroughfare in the Five Points South region, recognized for its clubs, restaurants, and nightlife, which generally attracts substantial crowds on weekends.

Officer Fitzgerald elaborated on the injuries, indicating that numerous individuals had gunshot wounds, with a minimum of four patients in critical condition. Emergency personnel and law enforcement have been diligently evaluating the situation to guarantee community safety.

This recent mass shooting contributes to the concerning trend of gun violence in the United States. The Gun Violence Archive defines mass shootings as events where four or more individuals are injured or killed, reporting over 400 such incidences nationwide this year. The prevalence and intensity of these assaults persist in eliciting apprehensions over public safety, firearm regulation, and violence mitigation.

The Birmingham community remains apprehensive as the investigation progresses, anticipating further details regarding the culprits and possible motives for this egregious act of violence.