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What Israel called a "misunderstanding" was something far worse for Anwar Radwan as he stood beside his son's grave, his hands trembling and his voice hoarse.
Rifaat, a 25-year-old paramedic, was one of 15 Palestinians killed in a night-time shooting by Israeli troops in Gaza last month. After the bodies were bulldozed into a mass grave, it took days before the remains of Rifaat and the other victims were returned to their families.
Having initially claimed the victims were "advancing suspiciously" with no emergency lights on their ambulances, Israel first had to backtrack when video footage proved otherwise, then fired a field commander after an investigation by the military. Another officer was reprimanded.
“Is that really the punishment for killing 15 human beings who were carrying out humanitarian duties protected under international law?” asked Mr Radwan, speaking to The National. “Executed in cold blood, then buried in a horrific and inhumane manner?”
Israel's military admitted to "several professional failures" over the killings but claimed, without providing evidence, that six of the 15 victims were members of Hamas. It said the deaths resulted from an "operational misunderstanding" and poor visibility at night in Gaza.
“My son Rifaat Radwan was not affiliated with any Palestinian faction,” the father said. “All the accusations made by the Israeli army against him and his colleagues, who were cold-bloodedly killed, are false and cannot in any way cover up the horror and gravity of the crime.”
Mr Radwan said those responsible should have been "held accountable appropriately" under international law, but believes that in reality "there is no one in the world ready or willing to restrain the occupation" by Israeli troops.
“I don’t understand how the world can accept this so-called investigation,” he said. “It treats the massacre of 15 humanitarian workers like it was a mistake or some trivial matter.
"The investigation blames the victims and excuses the executioners for a crime so severe and cruel that humanity should never, ever forget it.”
Night-time attack
The killings of medics and first responders sparked international outrage, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres saying humanitarian workers "must be protected at all times". They were fired upon in three separate incidents, their bodies later crushed beneath the bulldozers in what Israel denied was an attempted cover-up.
"Due to poor night visibility, the deputy commander did not initially recognise the vehicles as ambulances," the Israeli military said. "Only later, after approaching the vehicles and scanning them, was it discovered that these were indeed rescue teams."
Paramedic Ibrahim Abu Al Kass, who had spent years working alongside some of those killed, said the victims had no ties to political factions and were always meticulous about safety.
“They were a true example of humanitarian service,” he told The National. “They took every possible precaution. But the Israeli army does not distinguish between anyone, it targets all Palestinians, whether they are humanitarian workers or ordinary civilians.”
Mr Abu Al Kass accused the army of trying to conceal the killings by destroying the vehicles and bodies, saying the crime was “one of the most horrific acts committed in this war”.
“The investigations are weak,” he said. “The army will continue to kill medics and humanitarian workers because no one is holding them accountable.”
Grief has now become routine for Gaza’s emergency responders. They continue their work, though now with an even heavier burden. Mr Abu Al Kass says every mission feels like walking into a trap.
“But we won’t stop,” he said. “We just wish someone in this world would see our lives as worth protecting.”
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How to invest in gold
Investors can tap into the gold price by purchasing physical jewellery, coins and even gold bars, but these need to be stored safely and possibly insured.
A cheaper and more straightforward way to benefit from gold price growth is to buy an exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Most advisers suggest sticking to “physical” ETFs. These hold actual gold bullion, bars and coins in a vault on investors’ behalf. Others do not hold gold but use derivatives to track the price instead, adding an extra layer of risk. The two biggest physical gold ETFs are SPDR Gold Trust and iShares Gold Trust.
Another way to invest in gold’s success is to buy gold mining stocks, but Mr Gravier says this brings added risks and can be more volatile. “They have a serious downside potential should the price consolidate.”
Mr Kyprianou says gold and gold miners are two different asset classes. “One is a commodity and the other is a company stock, which means they behave differently.”
Mining companies are a business, susceptible to other market forces, such as worker availability, health and safety, strikes, debt levels, and so on. “These have nothing to do with gold at all. It means that some companies will survive, others won’t.”
By contrast, when gold is mined, it just sits in a vault. “It doesn’t even rust, which means it retains its value,” Mr Kyprianou says.
You may already have exposure to gold miners in your portfolio, say, through an international ETF or actively managed mutual fund.
You could spread this risk with an actively managed fund that invests in a spread of gold miners, with the best known being BlackRock Gold & General. It is up an incredible 55 per cent over the past year, and 240 per cent over five years. As always, past performance is no guide to the future.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
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The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More coverage from the Future Forum
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
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Match info
Bournemouth 0
Liverpool 4 (Salah 25', 48', 76', Cook 68' OG)
Man of the match: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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