Editor's Pick

Rwanda, M23, and the battle for DR Congo’s Goma

Rwanda, M23, and the battle for DR Congo’s Goma

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Bodies are lining the streets of Goma, and hospitals are overwhelmed after an escalation in the long-simmering conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Rwandan-backed M23 group claims it took control of the city, and the DRC has called it a declaration of war by Rwanda. But why is Rwanda involved and what are its interests?

In this episode:

    Kambale Musavuli, Analyst, Center for Research on the Congo


Episode credits:

This episode was produced by Ashish Malhotra, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Li with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Hagir Saleh, Hanah Shokeir, Melanie Marich, Noor Wazwaz and our guest host, Kevin Hirten.

Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad Al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.

Palestinian prisoners released: Israeli forces open fire to disperse crowds along the route

Palestinian prisoners released: Israeli forces open fire to disperse crowds along the route

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Israel has released 110 Palestinian prisoners, as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
 
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered Beitunia, in the occupied West Bank to welcome them home.
 
Around 30 children are among the prisoners released. At least 32 of them were serving life sentences.
 
And Israeli forces opened fire as the Red Cross convoy carrying the Palestinian prisoners travelled through the occupied West Bank.
 
Israeli soldiers used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds along the route of the heavily-protected convoy.

Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud is in Gaza City, Tareq Abu Azzoum in Khan Younis and Hamdah Salhut in Jordanian capital, Amman, because the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority have banned Al Jazeera from reporting inside Israel and in the occupied West Bank.

How Israel tests military tech on Palestinians? | The Palestine Laboratory E1 | Featured Documentary

How Israel tests military tech on Palestinians? | The Palestine Laboratory E1 | Featured Documentary

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Uncovering how Israel profits from surveillance technologies using occupied Palestinian territories as a testing ground.

Israel punches way above its weight when it comes to arms sales. The 97th country by population, it is the ninth largest arms dealer in the world with a $13bn military-industrial complex.

"Plenty of countries sell weapons," says award-winning journalist Antony Loewenstein, "but what makes Israel's industry unique is the mix of weapons, surveillance technology and architectural techniques that combine to create a comprehensive system for controlling 'difficult' populations and are based on years of experience in Palestine."

In this two-part series, Loewenstein goes on a journey to investigate how these weapons and surveillance technologies are used to control and repress Palestinians in Palestine before being sold all over the world.

Antony Loewenstein is a Jewish, Australian journalist and author who for more than 20 years has written unflinchingly about Israel and its relationship with the Palestinians, even though it has often put him at odds with many in the Jewish diaspora and Israel.

In Episode 1, Loewenstein returns to Israel to investigate how cutting-edge military and surveillance technology is being used on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip, before being marketed to international clients as "field-proven" and "battle-tested".

Hearing from Palestinians and Israelis, he uncovers how a pipeline of personnel and research from the Israeli army feeds into semi-private arms companies which form a crucial part of Israel's exports to the world. He also investigates the Israeli army's use of targeting systems that utilise artificial intelligence during the Gaza war after October 7, 2023.

Gaza ceasefire deal: Israeli female soldier released in Jabalia

Gaza ceasefire deal: Israeli female soldier released in Jabalia

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Israeli captive Agam Berger has been handed over to the Red Cross in the Jabalia refugee camp.

Dressed in a military uniform, she appeared walking, escorted by Palestinian fighters, through the rubble of a wrecked building in the camp.

She then appeared on a stage and waved to onlookers, before getting into a car belonging to the Red Cross.

Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif reports from Jabalia in northern Gaza.

US air collision: Plane collides with helicopter midair in Virginia

US air collision: Plane collides with helicopter midair in Virginia

Thursday, January 30, 2025
A plane and helicopter collision has sparked a desperate search and rescue operation in the US state of Virginia.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said late on Wednesday that a PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 jet collided with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while on approach to the airport in Arlington County.

News agencies are citing the US Army saying three soldiers were on board the helicopter.

At least two bodies have been recovered.

All takeoffs and landings have been stopped at Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Emergency services are at the scene.

Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi joins us now live from Arlington, Virginia.
 
Keith Mackey is an aircraft accident investigator and aviation consultant. He is also a retired pilot who has flown into Reagan National Airport many times. He joins us live from Ocala in Florida to discuss the latest developments. 

US President Trump signs Laken Riley act, in Washington

US President Trump signs Laken Riley act, in Washington

Thursday, January 30, 2025
US President Donald Trump signs the Laken Riley Act, legislation requiring the detention of immigrants living in the US illegally who are accused of theft.

Al Jazeera's White House correspondent Kimberly Halkett joins live from Washington.

Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa named president for transitional period

Syria’s Ahmed al-Sharaa named president for transitional period

Thursday, January 30, 2025 
Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been named president for a transitional period, the Syrian state news agency (SANA) has reported. Sharaa was also authorised to form a temporary legislative council for the transitional phase which will carry out its task until a new constitution is adopted, SANA reported on Wednesday, citing commander Hassan Abdel Ghani.

Al Jazeera's Osama bin Javaid joins live from Damascus.

UNRWA ban removes two-state solution dream of Palestinians: Israeli political analyst

UNRWA ban removes two-state solution dream of Palestinians: Israeli political analyst

Wednesday, January 29, 2025  
The humanitarian aid entering Gaza is providing desperately needed relief to Palestinians after 15 months of Israel's war.

But the lifeline provided by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees is at risk.

An Israeli ban on UNRWA is due to come into effect on Thursday.

Akiva Eldar is a Political analyst and the Author of "Lords of the Land: The War Over Israel's Settlements in the Occupied Territories". He says that the ban on UNRWA, therefore, satisfies Netanyahu’s far-right coalition’s desire to push Palestinians out from Gaza.

How will US tech firms react to DeepSeek?

How will US tech firms react to DeepSeek?

Wednesday, January 29, 2025  
Investors have poured billions of dollars into artificial intelligence research and development over the past year, hoping to capitalise on this rapidly advancing technology.

Generative AI could automate countless tasks and change how many sectors do business.
 
The US has largely led this revolution but now a Chinese rival has emerged.

DeepSeek's models are faster, smaller and a lot cheaper.

Will investors still be willing to put up billions if a more cost-effective alternative exists?

And who is in the best position to benefit from AI's vast potential?

Presenter: Elizabeth Puranam

Guests:
R Ray" Wang -- CEO and principal analyst of Constellation Research, a technology research and advisory firm in Silicon Valley

Toby Walsh -- Professor of AI at the University of New South Wales and author of "Faking It: AI in a Human World".
 
Brian Wong - Independent geopolitical strategist and fellow at the Centre on Contemporary China and the World.

Gaza, a ceasefire, and what is next?

Gaza, a ceasefire, and what is next?

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
On January 19,  a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect. But Gaza lies in ruins with at least 46,000 Palestinians killed, and two-thirds of all buildings now damaged or destroyed.

In this episode of Now You Know, we speak to Gaza-based Communications Specialist for UNICEF, Rosalia Bollen, about what a ceasefire means for Palestinians in Gaza right now, especially for the children, and what’s ahead on the path to rebuilding lives and communities.

    This episode was recorded on January 21, on day three of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Since then, Israel has killed a number of Palestinians in Gaza.


In this episode:
Rosalia Bollen, Communications Specialist in Gaza | UNICEF

Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Fahrinisa Campana, Zaina Badr, Ruby Zaman and our Host, Samantha Johnson.

Munera AlDosari is the engagement producer. Aya Elmileik is our lead of engagement.

Our sound designer is Joe Plourde. Our video editor is Catherine Hallinan.

Jo de Frias is Now You Know’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio.