International

More than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel-Hamas war, Gaza Health Ministry says

Israel’s assault in Gaza has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians since Oct. 7, the territory’s Health Ministry said Monday, marking another grim milestone in one of the deadliest and most destructive military campaigns in recent history, AP reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until “total victory” against Hamas after the militants’ Oct. 7 attack on Israeli communities. He and the military have said troops will move soon into the southernmost town of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have sought refuge from fighting elsewhere.

The United States, Israel’s top ally, says it is still working with mediators Egypt and Qatar to try to broker another cease-fire and hostage release agreement. But those efforts appear to have stalled in recent days, and Netanyahu angered Qatar by calling on it to pressure Hamas and suggesting it funds the militant group.

In Gaza, the Health Ministry said the death toll had risen to 29,092 since the start of the war, around two-thirds of them women and children. More than 69,000 Palestinians have been wounded, overwhelming the territory’s hospitals, less than half of which are even partially functioning. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 men, women and children hostage. After a round of exchanges for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel in November, around 130 remain captive, a fourth of them believed to be dead.

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120 schools in the country will receive funding from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
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120 schools in the country will receive funding from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development

A total of 120 schools in the country will receive funding from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Each school will receive $36,000 to enhance their facilities, which will be used to equip high-performance laboratories, upgrade IT systems or software, and provide teacher training. Educational institutions can access this funding through the "Improving the Quality of Education" Project, said Nadejda Velișco, the Secretary of State from the Ministry of Education, during a recent plenary session in Parliament.

National afforestation campaign started in the Republic of Moldova
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National afforestation campaign started in the Republic of Moldova

This year's afforestation campaign started today. Thus, more than 26 million saplings will be planted on an area of 4000 hectares in 160 localities in the country. For those who want to join the planting campaign, you must access the agency's website, moldsilva.gov.md and the "Participate in autumn 2024 plantings" section.

Citizens from seven localities will elect their mayors on Sunday
Elections

Citizens from seven localities will elect their mayors on Sunday

Citizens with the right to vote in seven localities in the country will elect their mayors on Sunday, November 17. According to the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), new local elections will be organized in Căușeni city, Căușeni district, Iliciovca commune, Florești district, Boșcana commune, Criuleni district, Arionești village, Dondușeni district, Antonești commune, Cantemir district, Clocușna village, Ocnița district and Popeștii de Jos village, Drochia district.