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Arab League readmits Syria

The Arab League has adopted a resolution to re-admit Syria after nearly 12 years of its suspension, consolidating a regional push to normalize relations with Damascus. The decision was made at a meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo. Secretary-General of the pan-Arab bloc, Ahmad Aboul Gheith even asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to take part in the summit if he wanted to. Damascus has reacted to the decision, calling on Arab states to show mutual respect. In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of joint work and dialog to deal with challenges facing the Arab world. Syria's membership of the Arab League was suspended in November 2011. That after the conflict and foreign-backed militancy gripped the country aimed at toppling the democratically-elected government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Israeli atrocities

The Israeli regime has demolished several more Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank. The demolitions happened after the regime’s forces raided several villages in the cities of Ariha and Bethlehem. In Ariha, they completely destroyed a guest house, two homes under construction belonging to a family as well as a fodder store. A carwash workshop and a school were also destroyed in Bethlehem. The school had been demolished by Israeli forces in 2017 but was rebuilt six years ago. Israel routinely demolishes Palestinian homes and structures in the occupied territories, citing lack of construction permits which are impossible to obtain. Palestinians and rights groups say the move is part of Israel’s land grab policy to expand its settlements.

DR Congo deadly floods

The death toll from recent floods and landslides in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has risen to nearly 400. Heavy rainfall in the Kalehe region on Thursday caused rivers to overflow, inundating several villages. Many houses were washed away and crop fields were devastated. Local authorities say they have sent boats filled with supplies and medicine for the survivors. The government has declared Monday as a national day of mourning. The disaster came just two days after floods killed at least scores of people and destroyed thousands of homes in neighboring Rwanda. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has offered his condolences to the families of the victims in both countries. He blamed the tragic event on negligence to global warming. DR Congo is among the poorest countries in the world, riddled by corruption and conflict in the east.

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