Lebanon fuel crisis fallout
The United Nations children Fund is warning that millions of people in Lebanon could face a critical shortage of water soon due to the fuel crisis. UNICEF says a lack of access to potable water will compromise the health and hygiene of four million people. The UN agency has urged the formation of a new government to tackle the crisis. Vital facilities such as hospitals and health centers have been without safe water due to electricity shortages. The problem has been spurred by a wide spread fuel crisis and currency shortage. Lebanon has been in financial meltdown with a lack of fuel causing extensive blackouts across the country.
Downing Israeli missiles
Syria has foiled recent Israeli airstrikes by intercepting most of missiles fired toward the Arab country. The Russian military says Syria’s air defenses shot down 22 of 24 missiles Israel fired using Lebanese airspace on Thursday. During the attack, Israeli warplanes flying over the Lebanese capital Beirut attempted to target areas in Syria’s Damascus and Homs provinces. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, there were no casualties among the Syrian military personnel or damage to infrastructure. The strike prompted objections from both Syria and Lebanon. Syria called on the UN to fulfill its responsibility by taking firm measures to prevent more Israeli attacks against the country. Lebanon also filed a complaint with the UN against Israel for its repeated violations of Lebanese airspace.
'No recognition of Taliban'
The EU Commission President says the bloc has not recognized the Taliban in Afghanistan and is not holding political talks with them. Ursula von der Leyen says the EU will judge the group based on their actions not words. She made the remarks during a news conference after visiting a reception centre in Madrid for Afghan employees of EU institutions evacuated from Kabul. The evacuation came after the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan capital on Sunday. The Taliban have declared the formation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, pledging to observe the rights of people within the framework of Islamic laws.