Gazans returning through the Rafah crossing reported being searched by a Palestinian militia linked to Israel, while elsewhere, a fisherman in Zambia was killed by a crocodile after fleeing elephants, and Google employees are demanding the company cut ties with ICE. These events, along with severe weather battering Europe and reports questioning the value of smart motorways, highlight a range of global developments.
Two Gazan women who passed through the newly reopened Rafah crossing with Egypt on Monday told the BBC that a local Palestinian militia, known as the Abu Shabab militia or Popular Forces, carried out checks at an Israeli military checkpoint inside the Gaza Strip. Lamia Rabia, who was traveling with her children, said they were escorted by Israeli forces from the border to a nearby checkpoint where the militia searched them and their belongings. Delays and security restrictions meant only 12 Palestinians were able to return to Gaza on Monday, according to the BBC.
In Zambia, a 52-year-old fisherman, Dean Nyirenda, died after being attacked by a crocodile while fleeing a herd of elephants. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Nyirenda and two friends were returning from a fishing trip. They encountered the elephants and ran, with Nyirenda diving into a stream near the Luangwa River, where the crocodile attacked him, biting his right thigh, local police chief Robertson Mweemba told journalists. Zambia has a significant elephant population, and clashes between humans and wildlife have claimed many lives in recent years.
Meanwhile, Google employees are calling for the company to cut ties with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In an open letter published on Friday, nearly 900 full-time Google employees demanded more transparency over the company's technology use within the U.S. government. Google has contracts to provide federal agencies with cloud services and links to work on federal immigration enforcement. A Google employee of seven years found it "mind-boggling" that Google was maintaining its ties with immigration enforcement, according to a report.
In other news, according to reports from National Highways, many smart motorways are failing to deliver the expected value for money. Two schemes, involving sections of the M25 and the M6, were found to be offering "very poor" value. Only three out of sixteen projects across England were on track to deliver the financial benefits expected, although most were delivering safety benefits. The AA, representing motorists, said the schemes had turned out to be a "catastrophic waste of time, money and effort."
Finally, Storm Leonardo continues to batter Europe and northern Africa. Spain's state meteorological agency, Aemet, issued its highest red alert for heavy rainfall in Cádiz and parts of Málaga. The Iberian peninsula has been placed under severe weather alerts as the slow-moving system brings torrential rain and strong winds.
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