The Living Archives

In a historic vote, the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly called for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. The resolution, passed with a decisive majority, urges Israel to withdraw from territories it has occupied since 1967, including the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.The vote comes amid escalating tensions and renewed international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The resolution, while non-binding, signals growing frustration within the international community over the long-standing impasse in peace negotiations and the humanitarian situation in the occupied territories.

Northern Ireland has experienced a significant surge in migration, reaching record-high numbers in recent months. The influx has been attributed to a combination of factors, including economic opportunities, social stability, and changes in global migration patterns. This increase has been marked by a diverse group of migrants, including international students, skilled workers, and refugees seeking safety and new beginnings.The recent rise in migration has had notable effects on various sectors within Northern Ireland. The local economy has felt a boost, particularly in industries facing labor shortages, such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality. Educational institutions are also reporting higher enrollment numbers, with an influx of international students bringing cultural diversity to the region. However, this rapid population growth has also raised concerns about housing shortages, pressure on public services, and the need for integration support.Local authorities and community organizations are actively working to manage the impact of this migration surge. Efforts are being made to ensure adequate housing, healthcare, and education for the growing population, as well as to promote social cohesion and cultural understanding. While the rise in migration presents challenges, many see it as an opportunity for Northern Ireland to strengthen its economy and enrich its cultural landscape.This development aligns with broader global trends, as countries around the world are witnessing shifting migration patterns due to geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors. Northern Ireland's response to this record migration will likely be closely watched as a case study in managing demographic change in a rapidly evolving world.

COVID-19 variant trackers are now closely watching the rise of a new virus variant called XEC, which has been spotted around the world and in half of states across the United States.Health officials are so far not raising concern about this variant, unlike some previous, more highly mutated strains that worried experts. XEC's emergence comes as COVID-19 trends remain "high" but are now largely slowing after a summer wave of infections that peaked last month. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention modelers estimate that the virus will likely climb again over the winter, peaking in mid-January.Which states have reported XEC cases?At least 25 states have already reported at least one case with the strain's characteristic mutations, according to preliminary data obtained from the global virus database GISAID from more than 100 cases in the U.S.Labs in New Jersey have reported the most XEC infections – at least 15 – of any state. Only California and Virginia have also reported at least 10 cases so far.New Jersey's detections come in large part from samples collected through the CDC's testing program of arriving travelers clearing customs at Newark Liberty International Airport.Some of the earliest U.S. cases were reported by scientists at a lab in Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, sampled from patients in July."We do not see a particular trend. We should keep an eye on the samples coming and continue genomic screening more broadly," said Carla Finkielstein, head of the institute's molecular diagnostics lab, in an email.Finkielstein said that the majority of their samples come from hospitals across the southwestern part of Virginia, though it is unclear why exactly they were tested."Unfortunately, we do not have demographic data on these patients, so we don't know whether the patients were hospitalized or, for example, if their samples were collected during an emergency department visit," Finkielstein said.

At least 32 people, including two children, were killed and thousands more injured, many seriously, after communication devices, some used by the armed group Hezbollah, dramatically exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday.In the latest round of blasts on Wednesday, exploding walkie-talkies killed 20 and injured at least 450 people, according to Lebanon's health ministry.The explosions occurred in the vicinity of a large crowd that had gathered for the funerals of four victims of Tuesday's simultaneous pager blasts, which killed at least 12 people and injured nearly 3,000.BBC teams in the city reported chaotic scenes in which ambulances struggled to reach the injured, and locals became suspicious of anyone using a phone.The explosions deepened unease in Lebanese society, coming a day after the apparently similar, and highly sophisticated attack targeting thousands of pagers used by Hezbollah members.The militant group blamed its adversary Israel. Israeli officials have so far declined to comment.Two firms based in Taiwan and Hungary accused in media reports of manufacturing the pagers have both denied responsibility. A Japanese company which apparently makes the walkie-talkies said it stopped producing that model 10 years ago.Here is what we know so far.

A theatre in west London is hoping to offer a "lifeline" for freelancers struggling because of the precarious nature of creative industries.Actor Adrian Lester CBE, is patron of SCRUM theatre, a cooperative of actors and writers which opens in Hammersmith on Thursday.The venue is based in the council’s old archives building on Talgarth Road.Co-leads Lucie Dawkins and Dom Applewhite said they hope the centre will fill a resource gap, support artists and "foster the next generation".They added: "In a crisis for the arts, we want to create a space where creatives can find their heat and light, helping safeguard the next generation of makers and audiences in UK theatre."The co-leads said: “The vast majority of the UK theatre industry is made up of freelancers, and this can be a brutal environment.They said the UK's freelance nature within the cultural industries and low government spending on them mean they can "often overlook basic needs".The venue features three rehearsal rooms, a script library, a self-tape studio, a workroom for scenic designers and prop makers and a large performance space.Artist Will Dawkins has decorated the theatre with custom murals celebrating key figures in theatre history, including the renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt, trailblazing black actor Ira Aldridge, and queer poet Federico García Lorca.

A seven-year-old cat who lives at a safe house for women has been recognised nationally for his "incredible gift of empathy".Black and white Marley beat thousands of other entries to be named Cats Protection's National Cat of the Year 2024.Caritas Bakhita House in central London, which adopted the pet four years ago, offers a safe place for those who have been enslaved, exploited and trafficked."I'm so proud Marley has won National Cat of the Year - he's a wonderful example of the power of love," said Karen Anstiss, head of Caritas Bakhita House."Often Marley placing a paw on our guests' legs is the first kindness they've experienced in years."He has this incredible gift of empathy and has assisted many, many women along the road to recovery."Marley was adopted by the safe house in Westminster - currently home to 11 women from 11 countries - after he was living in a rescue shelter. He had previously lived with a family whose other cat bullied him."Before he went into rescue, I think he had a hard time. So, he recognises our guests' trauma because he has suffered too," Ms Anstiss said."Initially he sits really close, to see how the women respond. Then he gently puts a paw on their leg letting them know they're not alone."We had one guest who was so traumatised she didn't speak to us - only to Marley - and because she trusted him, over time we were able to reach her."

The UN General Assembly has adopted a Palestinian-drafted, non-binding resolution demanding Israel end "its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory" within 12 months.There were 124 votes in favour and 14 against, including Israel, along with 43 abstentions. As a non-member observer state, Palestine could not vote.The resolution is based on a July advisory opinion from the UN's highest court that said Israel was occupying the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip against international law.The Palestinian ambassador called the vote a turning point “in our struggle for freedom and justice”. But his Israeli counterpart denounced it as “diplomatic terrorism”.Although the General Assembly’s resolutions are not binding, they carry symbolic and political weight given they reflect the positions of all 193 member states of the UN.It comes after almost a year of war in Gaza, which began when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on 7 October, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others as hostages.More than 41,110 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.There has also been a spike in violence in the West Bank over the same period, in which the UN says more than 680 Palestinians and 22 Israelis have been killed. Another 10 Israelis have been killed in attacks by Palestinians in Israel.The advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - which was also not legally binding - said a 15-judge panel had found that "Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful” and that the country was “under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence... as rapidly as possible”.The court also said Israel should “evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory” and “make reparation for the damage caused to all the natural or legal persons concerned”.Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 1967. The court said the settlements “have been established and are being maintained in violation of international law”, which Israel has consistently disputed.Israel's prime minister said at the time that the court had made a "decision of lies" and insisted that “the Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land”.

Just as crowds had gathered to mourn some of those killed in Tuesday’s wave of pager-bomb attacks, an explosion sparked chaos in Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut.A video captured the blast, showing a man lying on the ground and panicked people, some screaming, running away.All this, moments before funerals were due to start for an 11-year-old boy and three Hezbollah members killed the previous day.In the surrounding area there was bedlam as the sound of the explosion echoed through the streets. The chants stopped. Those gathered looked at each other, some incredulous.As reports spread that this was part of a second wave of explosions now targeting walkie-talkies, no electronic equipment was considered safe.Hezbollah supporters stopped our team several times, demanding we did not use our phones or our camera.One of our producers received a message from a friend, who said she had changed her Lebanese SIM card to an international number, concerned that her phone could explode, too.The confusion was made worse by rumours that spread on social media; one of them suggested that even solar panels were blowing up.Lebanese officials said at least 20 people were killed and 450 others wounded across the country, with fires said to have broken out in dozens of homes, shops, and vehicles.Already, the latest attacks are being seen as another humiliation for the Iranian-backed group, and a possible indication that its entire communication network may have been infiltrated by Israel.

Five women say they were raped by former Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed when they worked at the luxury London department store.The BBC has heard testimony from more than 20 female ex-employees who say the billionaire, who died last year aged 94, sexually assaulted them - including rape.The documentary and podcast - Al-Fayed: Predator at Harrods - gathered evidence that, during Fayed’s ownership, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped cover up abuse allegations.Harrods’ current owners said they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that his victims had been failed - for which the store sincerely apologised.“The spider’s web of corruption and abuse in this company was unbelievable and very dark,” says barrister Bruce Drummond, from a legal team representing a number of the women.Warning: this story contains details some may find distressing.The incidents took place in London, Paris, St Tropez and Abu Dhabi.“I made it obvious that I didn't want that to happen. I did not give consent. I just wanted it to be over,” says one of the women, who says Fayed raped her at his Park Lane apartment.Another woman says she was a teenager when he raped her at the Mayfair address.“Mohamed Al Fayed was a monster, a sexual predator with no moral compass whatsoever,” she says, adding that all the staff at Harrods were his “playthings”.“We were all so scared. He actively cultivated fear. If he said ‘jump’ employees would ask ‘how high’.”Fayed faced sexual assault claims while he was alive, but these allegations are of unprecedented scale and seriousness. The BBC believes many more women may have been assaulted.