Authorities in Hong Kong say COVID-19 levels are the worst in at least a year.

ALT: a close up of a young boy 's face with a sad look on his face .

ALT: a penguin is sleeping in a bed with a green blanket and a pillow .

Hello friends. My name is Todd and I am a dear friend to Ola from North Nuseirat near the sea in the Netzarim area. She is dispaced there after leaving Rafah with seven other members of her family. Th...

<article data-history-node-id="422120" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irish-minister-condemns-israels-plans-expand-military-operation-gaza" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/irish-minister-condemns-israels-plans-expand-military-operation-gaza" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Irish foreign minister condemns Israel's plans to expand military operation in Gaza</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p style="margin-bottom:11px">The Irish minister for foreign affairs and trade, as well as for defence, is the latest European official to condemn Israel’s plans to expand its war on Gaza in a statement released on X on Monday.</p> <p>Simon Harris said the expansion of Israeli operations in Gaza was “alarming” and “would result in further deaths, casualties and untold suffering for the Palestinian population who already face a dire humanitarian situation”.</p> <p>“What is happening to the people of Gaza is despicable and unconscionable,” he added, calling it a “human catastrophe”.</p> <p>He urged Israel to “exercise restraint,” saying, “We need to see an immediate cessation of hostilities, release of remaining hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid at scale into Gaza”.</p> </div> </div> </article>

ALT: a woman wearing a purple jacket and a necklace looks down

ALT: a young girl with braids is crying with a backpack .

ALT: a girl is kneeling down on the ground with a piece of paper on the ground