Netanyahu moves to dismiss head of Shin Bet over lack of ‘trust’
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says he no longer has ‘trust’ in the head of the domestic security agency. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will bring a vote to the government to dismiss the director of the Shin Bet domestic security service. In a statement from Netanyahu’s office on Sunday, the prime minister said he has had an “ongoing distrust” for Ronen Bar and that trust in the head of the domestic security service is crucial at a time of war. According to Israeli media, the vote to dismiss the Shin Bet chief is expected to take place in a special cabinet meeting on Wednesday. But in a statement, Bar said while he took “responsibility for the agency’s part” in failing to prevent the October 7 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war in Gaza, it was “clear that the intent behind my dismissal is not related” to it. “The prime minister’s expectation of a personal loyalty that contradicts the public interest is an entirely improper expectation,” Bar said. Israeli Democrat Party chief Yair Golan also slammed the move to dismiss Bar and wrote on X that “Netanyahu declared war on the State of Israel.” Advertisement “The dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet is a desperate attempt by a criminal defendant to get rid of someone who is loyal to Israel and who is investigating Netanyahu and his close circle for serious and dark offences and is not willing to whitewash them,” Golan said. “The dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet will not pass as if nothing happened. There will be tremendous resistance, we will fight with force and will not allow Netanyahu to turn the State of Israel into a dictatorship of a corrupt man,” he added. The decision to dismiss Bar comes after an angry dispute between the two, which focused on who bears responsibility for October 7. The Shin Bet, which is responsible for monitoring Palestinian armed groups, recently issued a report accepting responsibility for its failures in the attack, which is seen in Israel as the country’s worst security failure that led to its single deadliest day, with 1,200 people killed and 251 taken captive, according to an Israeli tally. However, the organisation also criticised Netanyahu for failed government policies that helped create the moment that led to the attack. Still, the prime minister has also resisted calls for an official state commission inquiry into the events of October 7. Moreover, the decision to dismiss Bar follows several senior Israeli officials who were in charge during the Hamas attack being forced to step down, including former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and army chief Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi. The tensions boiled over this weekend when Bar’s predecessor, Nadav Argaman, said he would release sensitive information about Netanyahu if it is found that the prime minister had broken the law. Advertisement Netanyahu accused Argaman of blackmail and filed a police complaint. Adblock test (Why?)
Venezuelan immigrants deported to El Salvador despite US court ban
The United States has flown more than 200 immigrants, alleged members of a Venezuelan gang, to be imprisoned in El Salvador, President Nayib Bukele has said, after his US counterpart Donald Trump controversially invoked wartime legislation to expel them. The deportations on Sunday took place despite a US federal judge granting a temporary suspension of the expulsions order, apparently as planes were already headed to El Salvador. In a sharp rebuke Sunday, Venezuela’s government said Trump had “criminalized” Venezuelan migrants, whom it said were “in their immense majority… dignified and honest” workers, not terrorists. It added that the action violated both US and international laws. “Oopsie … Too late,” Bukele posted on social media in response to an article on the judge’s ruling, adding a crying-with-laughter emoji. The Trump administration said it was appealing the court order. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the deportations, saying Trump was “using his core powers as president and commander-in-chief to defend the American people from an urgent threat”. Advertisement Bukele announced the action Sunday on X, saying, “Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country.” Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable). The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6 — Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025 He shared a video of several men in handcuffs and shackles being transferred from a plane to a heavily guarded convoy, while the presidency shared a series of photos showing prisoners’ heads being shaved, and then hands manacled behind their backs, on their arrival in El Salvador. Bukele said the US would “pay a very low fee” for El Salvador’s custody of the men, but neither he nor American officials specified the amount. Trump on Friday signed an order invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, but it was not publicly announced until Saturday. The contentious wartime authority allows a US president to detain or deport citizens of an enemy nation, and has been invoked only three times before – during major international conflicts, including World War I and II. Bukele, in a meeting last month with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, offered to house prisoners from the US in his country, including members of Tren de Aragua and Salvador’s own MS-13 gang. Salvadoran prison guards stand watch over deportees from the United States alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, in Tecoluca, El Salvador [El Salvador presidential press office/AP] Mega-jail with windowless cells Iron-fisted Bukele is extremely popular in his Latin American country for a successful crackdown on violent gangs, but has faced criticism from human rights groups. Advertisement His offer to take in foreign convicts for a fee has divided Salvadorans, who fear it could set back the country’s fight against violent crime. Leavitt told the Fox News Sunday Morning Futures programme that Trump “is acting within the bounds of the law”. Bukele said the alleged gang members had been sent to the country’s maximum security Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a mega-prison on the edge of a jungle 75km (47 miles) southeast of San Salvador with a capacity for 40,000 prisoners. Inmates there are packed in windowless cells, sleep on metal beds with no mattresses and are forbidden to have visitors. Rubio said in a statement on Sunday that as part of the transfer of Venezuela’s migrants, the US had deported “top leaders” of MS-13, “plus 21 of its most-wanted to face justice in their homeland”. Wartime legislation Trump, in his order, claimed Tren de Aragua was “conducting irregular warfare against the territory of the United States both directly and at the direction, clandestine or otherwise, of the Maduro regime”. The statement gives Trump’s Attorney General Pam Bondi 60 days to enact the ruling making all Tren de Aragua gang members “subject to immediate apprehension, detention and removal”. The order will apply to all Venezuelan Tren de Aragua members who are over 14 and not naturalized US citizens or lawful permanent residents. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and an allied group, Democracy Forward, asked the US District Court in Washington to bar the deportations – arguing that the 1798 act was not intended for use in peacetime. Judge James Boasberg on Saturday issued a 14-day halt to any deportation under the new order. Bondi slammed the ruling, saying in a statement that it “puts the public and law enforcement at risk”. Advertisement The El Salvador prison where the alleged gang members were sent already houses some 15,000 members of the MS-13 and rival Salvadoran Barrio 18 gangs. They were rounded up under a state of emergency imposed by Bukele after a surge in gang violence in 2022. Adblock test (Why?)
‘Unimaginable loss’: North Macedonia reels from deadly nightclub fire
A fire tore through a nightclub in the eastern town of Kocani in North Macedonia, killing 59 people, according to the country’s interior minister. More than 100 people were also wounded in the fire early on Sunday in the “Club Pulse”, Interior Minister Pance Toskovsk said. Toskovski said the fire was probably caused by the use of pyrotechnic devices “used for light effect at the concert”. As they were set off, “the sparks caught the ceiling, which was made of easily flammable material, after which the fire rapidly spread across the whole discotheque, creating thick smoke,” he said. The establishment had been packed with more than 1,000 mostly young fans to see a popular hip-hop duo called DNK. Helicopters ferried some of the injured to hospitals in the capital Skopje, some 100km (62 miles) to the west. Twenty-seven of them were admitted to the Naum Ohridski clinic, a doctor at the facility, Nebojsa Nastov, told online media outlet SDK. In September 2021, a major fire killed 14 people at a unit for COVID-19 patients in the northwestern town of Tetovo. Advertisement Adblock test (Why?)
Video: Israeli attacks kill Palestinians in Gaza as ceasefire talks stall
[unable to retrieve full-text content] Aid workers and a journalist were among some of the latest victims of Israeli attacks in Gaza.
Roadside nets aim to thwart Russian drone attacks in Ukraine
NewsFeed Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford reports on the method being used to stop Russian drones from attacking Ukrainian vehicles near the border, not far from the Russian region of Kursk where fierce fighting is ongoing. Published On 16 Mar 202516 Mar 2025 Adblock test (Why?)
Norris beats Verstappen at F1 Australian GP in Melbourne
McLaren’s Lando Norris begins the 2025 F1 season with victory ahead of Max Verstappen in an eventful and rain-affected Australian Grand Prix. McLaren’s Lando Norris swept to victory in a wet and wild Australian Grand Prix, holding off defending champion Max Verstappen in a white-knuckle finish to a Formula One season opener littered with crashes and safety cars. George Russell of Mercedes was third on the slippery Albert Park circuit, where only 14 of the 20 cars finished in the treacherous conditions in Sunday’s race. Norris, the preseason favourite for the driver’s title, started the F1 season as he finished the last at Abu Dhabi, with victory from pole. His teammate Oscar Piastri started second on the grid but finished ninth, his dreams of becoming the first home driver to claim victory or a consolation podium were ended with a skid into the grass. Lewis Hamilton’s debut for Ferrari proved a damp squib with the Briton finishing 10th, two places behind teammate Charles Leclerc. Norris, who claimed his first win in Melbourne and the fifth of his career, said it had been a difficult race with Verstappen breathing down his neck. Advertisement “It was amazing. Tough race, especially with Max (Verstappen) behind me,” he said. “I was pushing, especially in the last two laps. It was a little bit stressful, not going to lie. “This time we got it right and ended on top so I’m happy.” Norris now leads the F1 drivers’ championship for the first time in his career. He is the first McLaren driver to lead the championship since Hamilton after the 2012 Canadian Grand Prix. McLaren’s Lando Norris of Great Britain, left, leads Max Verstappen of Red Bull during the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, 2025, in Melbourne, Australia [Clive Rose/Getty Images] Adblock test (Why?)
Mbappe double at Villarreal takes Real Madrid top of LaLiga
Kylian Mbappe’s first half brace in the 2-1 away win against Villareal moves Madrid three points clear atop the standings. Kylian Mbappe has scored twice to help Real Madrid fight back to beat Villarreal 2-1 and move provisionally top of the LaLiga standings. The hosts opened the scoring in the seventh minute on Saturday when Alex Baena’s corner was deflected by Aurelien Tchouameni, allowing Juan Foyth to score from close range. Real Madrid levelled 10 minutes later when Mbappe pounced on Brahim Diaz’s blocked shot and the ball landed at his feet for a close-range finish. Six minutes later, the French international scored his 20th league goal of the season, latching on to Lucas Vazquez’s through ball and slotting home. Mbappe had a chance to complete his hat-trick in the second half when he latched on to Vinicius Jr’s through ball, but the offside flag was raised. “It’s the last time we’ll play a game with less than 72 hours’ rest,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti, referring to Wednesday’s gruelling Champions League shootout win over city rivals Atletico Madrid. Real top the table on 60 points, three clear of second-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand after their match with Osasuna was postponed last week, and face third-placed Atletico on Sunday. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe scores his second goal against Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica, on March 15, 2025 [Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images] Adblock test (Why?)
Is Trump the end of the international rules-based order?
After more than a year of Israeli bombing, tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, and a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the world was largely united in saying “enough is enough”. United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution 12667 in December was clear in its demand: An immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Countries as diverse as Vietnam, Zimbabwe and Colombia echoed that call. And yet, bucking that consensus were nine “no” votes – chief among them, as is typical when it comes to resolutions calling for Israel to adhere to international law or human rights, was the United States. The US has provided unwavering support to Israel throughout its war on Gaza, even as Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and its prime minister has an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant to his name. Gaza had made the US choose openly between adhering to the international “rules-based order” – the system of laws and norms established in the wake of World War II to avoid wars and foster democracy – it claims to uphold, or support Israel. It chose the latter. Advertisement The Democratic administration of former US President Joe Biden, which was in the last days of its tenure when it voted “no” on the UNGA resolution, repeatedly claimed to be acting in defence of the rules-based order – not least in its condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – in all matters other than those related to Israel and Palestine. When it came to matters not related to Israel or Palestine, the Democratic administration of former US President Joe Biden – which was in its last days when it voted “no” in the UNGA – claimed to act in defence of the rules-based order, especially in repeatedly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US supported Ukraine as a country defending itself from an unjust invasion by a neighbour. In the Asia Pacific, it strengthened partnerships with allies threatened by potential Chinese expansionism, particularly Taiwan. But the first few weeks of US President Donald Trump’s second term upended all expectations. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy finds himself berated in the Oval Office by Trump and his Vice President JD Vance, who sent out friendly feelers to Russia. US Vice President JD Vance speaks at the 61st Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2025, in Munich, Germany [Sean Gallup/Getty Images] Greenland, Panama and one of the US’s closest allies, Canada, find themselves the subject of Trump’s imperialist rhetoric. Trump has made clear that the old rules are out of the window. His posture towards Ukraine and his push for trade tariffs against allies is part of an isolationist, “America First”, mentality – which sees the world’s issues as not the US’s business, and international cooperation as weak. Advertisement Vance’s words at the Munich Security Conference in February – insinuating that European governments are authoritarian for not working with far-right parties – highlighted that Trump’s Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement doesn’t see Europeans as allies, at least not if European leadership remains liberal and internationalist in nature. Is this a sign of things to come? Is the US moving away from its allies and abandoning the rules-based order? And was the rules-based order ever really international – or merely focused on furthering the interests of the West? The short answer: Trump’s current trajectory could mark the final end to a world order that has long faced accusations of double standards and selective application of international law. European leaders are already saying they need to defend themselves and the US cannot be trusted. Analysts who spoke to Al Jazeera believe that the rules-based order cannot survive this onslaught in its current form – it would have to adapt and change. The rules-based order At its heart, what we call the rules-based order is the bedrock of much of modern international relations. In intention, it is supposed to maintain stability, cooperation and a degree of predictability in the way states deal with each other. Emerging from World War II and the Holocaust, the rules-based order, underpinned by international law and multinational organisations like the UN, was intended to embody shared principles of sovereignty, self-determination, territorial integrity and dispute resolution through diplomacy rather than force. Advertisement Its supporters, such as the US and Europe, argued the system promotes peace, democracy, human rights and economic stability. But it has its critics: Global South countries say its institutions are biased in favour of the West. That may be because the system emerged at a time when the US was able to cement itself as the global hegemon. Throughout its history, the rules-based order has been supported by the US’s economic, diplomatic and military heft. That only increased after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in 1991, when the US’s only real challenger for international dominance threw in the towel. Imperial thinking The first few weeks of the second Trump presidency feel far away from that post-Cold War high, when Francis Fukuyama argued, in The End of History and the Last Man, that liberal democracy had won in the battle of global ideologies. Palestinian boys near the destroyed headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees at Nur Shams refugee camp near Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on November 2, 2024 [Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP] Now, Trump tells Zelenskyy he does not “have the cards right now” in his country’s fight against Russian invasion, and demands a deal for Ukraine’s natural resources in return for support. For Europe, and the US under Biden, Ukraine’s battle was about sovereignty and defending democracy against autocracy. Those arguments do not interest Trump – who portrays himself as a “peacemaker”, but a realist one, who understands that might is right. Advertisement An indifference to the principle of sovereignty can also be seen in Trump’s Gaza “plan”, which would involve the US takeover of the territory – and ethnically cleansing the Palestinians who live there. While he recently appeared to walk back
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona – LaLiga: Team news, start time, how to follow
Who: Atletico Madrid vs BarcelonaWhat: Spanish LaLigaWhere: Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid, SpainWhen: Sunday at 9pm (20:00 GMT) Follow Al Jazeera Sport‘s live text and photo commentary stream. Atletico Madrid doesn’t have much time to linger on its painful Champions League exit against Real Madrid. Another crucial game awaits on Sunday, this time against Barcelona in the tight battle for the Spanish league title. Al Jazeera looks ahead to one of the biggest games in the Spanish football calendar: How are Atletico Madrid and Barcelona faring in LaLiga? Atletico are a point behind Barcelona in second and four points behind leaders Madrid in the three-way fight for the trophy. Real have played two more games than Barca and one more than Atletico. So Diego Simeone’s team can hardly afford to lose on Sunday but must quickly get over another excruciating defeat to their fierce crosstown rival in the Champions League on Wednesday. Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez scores a penalty during a penalty shootout that is later disallowed after a VAR review due to a double touch in the Champions League match against Real Madrid on March 12, 2025 [Susana Vera/Reuters] What happened in Atletico’s Champions League Madrid derby? Atletico lost in a penalty shootout to Real after Julian Alvarez’s spot kick was disallowed for a double touch. Only a video review spotted the first contact when Alvarez’s support foot slid and gently nudged the ball before he impacted it with his other foot and sent it into the net. Advertisement “Honestly, it isn’t easy to get over the way we lost this tie. We can’t lie to ourselves,” Simeone said after the match. Where could the match be won on Sunday? Simeone acknowledged that Barcelona could have an advantage both physically and emotionally after Hansi Flick’s side got an extra day’s rest after their victory against Benfica on Tuesday to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals. “We face a great rival on Sunday. I imagine the Barcelona players were wanting our game to go as long as it could, to reach penalties,” Simeone said. “We will arrive tired and beat up after having fought hard in a tie that demanded we give it our all, but we will throw everything we have left” at Barcelona. 🤩 Amazing memories from our last LaLiga game vs FC Barcelona pic.twitter.com/ztLACCN3bL — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 15, 2025 How has the rivalry panned out recently? Atletico have confounded Barcelona twice this season. Late goals by Alexander Sorloth snatched a 2-1 win at Barcelona in the league and a 4-4 draw in the opening leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal. But Barcelona have gone unbeaten in 17 straight games across all competitions since that loss to Atletico in late December. Atletico will also host Barcelona next month to decide their Copa del Rey semifinal. What is Barcelona’s take on the match? Flick warned his Barcelona stars they need to focus to avoid crumbling against Atletico Madrid as they have in their previous two meetings this season. “We have had really two great matches, and of course, we have to be focused from the beginning to the end of the match,” Flick told reporters on Saturday. Advertisement “In the first match, at the end of the match, we were not so focused like we can be, and also the second match was [the same] in the beginning and also at the end, so we have to take care about that. “When you make mistakes, Atletico can hurt you, and this is what we have to defend against.” No days off 💪 #AtletiBarça pic.twitter.com/iuQRV2QRWk — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 15, 2025 How will Flick solve the Olmo-Gavi headache? Dani Olmo is seemingly ahead of Gavi in the pecking order for the attacking midfield spot for Barca. Gavi and Barca defender Alejandro Balde were not included in the Spain squad that will face the Netherlands in the Nations League quarterfinals next week, but the Barca coach hailed both players. “[Gavi] came from a huge injury, and he’s 20 years old, and now at the moment, he is, I think, not the first [choice] … a more difficult situation, but he’s doing great,” Flick said. “At the moment our midfield is doing really good. I’m happy he’s here, and I think he will play many, many years for this amazing club and be one of the superstars here. “He can improve a lot. He will do this. His attitude is unbelievably good. He’s really focused and really happy he is here. “I think for the World Cup 2026, he will be there and be able to play, 100 percent.” Happy Gavi. 🫶 pic.twitter.com/Eh0tos7Uhi — LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 14, 2025 Flick added that Balde was “one of the best” left backs in the world and also praised veteran centre back Inigo Martinez, who was called up for Spain by national team coach Luis de la Fuente. Advertisement “With his attitude and mentality, he’s unbelievably good for every team,” Flick said. Atletico Madrid form guide: W-D-W-L-L Barcelona form guide: W-D-W-W-W Atletico Madrid team news Angel Correa is suspended for the match after his red card in the 2-1 defeat to Getafe last weekend. Koke remains a doubt with a knock while Rodrigo De Paul is set to miss out. Barcelona team news Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are still long-term absentees with knee injuries, but Andreas Christensen is back in training with the squad. Atletico Madrid’s probable starting lineup: Jan Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Clement Lenglet, Reinildo; Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios, Conor Gallagher; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez Barcelona’s possible starting lineup: Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde; Frenkie De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Robert Lewandowski Adblock test (Why?)
Ailing Pope Francis works on signature reform from hospital as he recovers
Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in February for double pneumonia. Pope Francis has entered his fifth week of hospital treatment for double pneumonia and is continuing the work of his papacy as signs of his recovery remain positive. Francis remains in stable condition, “confirming the progress” the 88-year-old pontiff has made in the past week, the Vatican said on Saturday. The pope, who was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital on February 14, is also reducing his use of mechanical ventilation at night to help with his breathing, a statement added. Doctors this week said Francis was no longer in critical, life-threatening condition but have continued to emphasise that his condition remained complex due to his age, lack of mobility and the loss of part of a lung as a young man. The first three weeks of his hospitalisation were marked by a roller-coaster of setbacks, including respiratory crises, mild kidney failure and a severe coughing fit. But Francis has continued his work. He has approved a three-year implementation and evaluation process for a reform project that aims to make the Roman Catholic Church more welcoming and responsive. The Vatican office for the Synod of Bishops released a timetable through 2028 to implement the reforms and said Francis had approved the calendar last week. Advertisement This week, the pope also participated in Lenten spiritual exercises from the hospital, which Vatican officials have said implied a lighter workload. He received a cake and hundreds of messages wishing him well on the 12th anniversary of his papacy on Thursday. The only public sign of life from the pope since his hospitalisation was a recorded audio message thanking people for their prayers for his recovery, which he made in a weak, laboured voice. It was played in St Peter’s Square for the faithful gathered for a nightly recitation of the rosary. For the past four Sundays, the traditional blessing that the pope usually delivers from a window overlooking St Peter’s Square has been released as a text. Adblock test (Why?)