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Amorphous carbon membrane creates precision proton beams for cancer therapy – Physics World
Amorphous carbon membrane creates precision proton beams for cancer therapy – Physics World
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Joshua Duerksen on his helmet design
Joshua Duerksen is the latest member of the 2025 grid to talk us through his helmet design that received an update for this season.
The AIX Racing driver walks us through the design process, how it has evolved since his early days in racing and what his favourite elements are of his all-new crash helmet design.
Here is what he had to say…
“My very first painted helmet design had some black, red and yellow with chrome details on it. I found the design on the internet and fell in love with it and did a copy and paste of it to be honest.
“I think every driver does that for their first helmet design to be honest. But going forward, I knew what my colours would be from the beginning, but the design today is quite different.
“The colours on this one are predominantly gold, white and black because I quite like that combination. My first one was a little bit close to this one I guess, I had yellow and red and black, so it was getting closer. But on this new helmet I went for a bit more simplistic design, a bit easier to recognise me.
“I think I’ve found a quite good balance with the gold, black and white. The white is matte, the gold is chrome gold, and the black is carbon fibre but shiny. I really like it, it fits my personality and is sponsor friendly, which is important!
“Of course, on the top we have the Paraguayan flag like I had on my previous helmet. I really like how it looks on the top, so I kept it there. Then we have the hashtag here ‘mbarete’ which is a word for ‘strong’. It’s something we as Paraguayans use quite a lot, and I’ve had it there for the last four years. It’s like an identifier of where I’m from.
“I have a cross on the back with my favourite Biblical verse, Joshua 1:9. It’s funny because it’s also Joshua like my name, but it’s a verse that motivates me. This was the verse that touched me the most leaving to race in Europe, leaving my family and friends behind and going alone to Europe for the first time. It’s something that really helped and stands out in my life.
“I have my logo on the back as well and I think that’s it really. I really like the design, I like the colours and have glitter in there too. I have a nice balance in the colours and something that really represents me.
“I’d say my favourite part is the top or the back of the helmet. I really like how the white and glitter along with the gold come together.
“Since starting in formula racing, I’ve been with Bell, and they paint it in house, and they’ve done the design and I’m really happy with their work.”
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Heera Mandi 2.0 From flings to fights Pakistans transactional ties with the US
Pakistan has long embraced the timeless wisdom of the world’s oldest profession, mastering a foreign policy stripped of ideology, thriving on the arithmetic of transactional gain, and spending loyalty like currency on the highest bidder.
Ever skilled at finding the perfect patron for its geopolitical services, Pakistan’s alliances shift with the bedsheets. Its amorous past is a scandalous tapestry of fleeting flings, bitter heartbreaks, vengeful spats, rebound romances, rivalries, and even the occasional menage a trois or quatre — you name it.
This relentless pursuit of the next lucrative liaison has turned Islamabad into a veritable Heera Mandi. It has made Pakistan a geopolitical courtesan, perpetually courted yet never wedded to a lasting cause. Each new patron—be it a superpower flashing Cold War cash, a neighbor promising strategic depth and roads, or a rising hegemon dangling economic lifelines—brings a fleeting thrill, only to depart when a shinier prospect beckons.
Islamabad’s Demure Dance
A report in the Financial Times titled, How Pakistan wooed Trump–and rattled India, is a riveting example of Pakistan’s masterful use of its assets to attract patrons. (Hint: it’s no coincidence the headline uses the word “woo.”)
The article (August 11) outlines Pakistan’s strategic diplomatic dance to improve relations with the United States under President Donald Trump, leading to an unexpected thaw in US-Pakistan ties while straining US-India relations. The strategy employed was as follows:
- High-Profile Engagements: In June 2025, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, had a two-hour private lunch with Trump at the White House. Additionally, Munir attended the retirement ceremony of General Michael Kurilla, the US Central Command (Centcom) commander, in Florida.
- Token Gift: A pivotal moment was Pakistan’s delivery of a high-value ISIS-K operative, responsible for the 2021 Kabul bombing that killed over 180 people, including 13 US soldiers. This arrest in March 2025 earned Pakistan “wah-wah” from Trump during his State of the Union address.
- Services Offered: In April 2025, representatives of World Liberty Financial, a Trump-backed cryptocurrency venture, visited Pakistan and signed a letter of intent with Pakistan’s crypto council. Zach Witkoff, son of US special envoy Steve Witkoff, highlighted Pakistan’s “trillions of dollars” in mineral wealth for tokenisation. Bilal bin Saqib, Pakistan’s minister for crypto and blockchain, emerged as a “shadow diplomat,” pitching Pakistan’s crypto potential to Trump’s inner circle and participating in trade talks with Washington.
- Flattery and ***Kissing: Following the May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire, Pakistan nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in “preventing a nuclear war.” This move was part of a broader charm offensive, with Munir praising Trump’s “strategic leadership” for preventing “many wars” during a speech to Pakistani-Americans in Tampa.
- Ceasefire Credit: Pakistan credited Trump for brokering the May 2025 ceasefire with India, despite India’s insistence that the ceasefire was negotiated directly between the two countries’ military commanders without US mediation. This flattery contrasted with India’s public contradiction of Trump’s claims, which strained US-India relations.
Melts Trump’s Heart
Donald Trump is less a statesman and more a tradesman. In his own words, he cuts beautiful deals and nobody does trade better than him. Pakistan’s aggressive wooing melted his heart and Nawab Trump showered his love and money on Pakistan, like a true connoisseur of adah and nakhra.
- Energy and Mineral Deals: Trump announced a deal to develop Pakistan’s “massive oil reserves,” and Pakistan offered investment opportunities in energy, critical minerals, and cryptocurrencies to revive its bailout-dependent economy. These initiatives aligned with Trump’s focus on economic deals, contrasting with India’s less accommodating trade stance.
- Favourable Trade Terms: The US imposed a relatively light 19% tariff on Pakistani goods, compared to a punitive 50% tariff on Indian goods, reflecting Pakistan’s success in securing better trade terms.
Romance, er, Situationship Rekindled
Pakistan’s relationship with Washington—a rollercoaster of flings, breakups and revenge-porn—is ready for a reset. From being the scorned courtesan dancing to China’s tunes, Islamabad is now dying to embrace Washington. How this curious Washington-Islamabad-Beijing threesome will evolve is anybody’s guess. But if history repeats itself, as it always does, Pakistan could soon be nursing another heartbreak.
Pati, Patni Aur Woh
The geopolitical rom-com between Pakistan and the United States has always been inspired by the Indian classic Pati, Patni Aur Woh. Their epic romance has been defined and dictated less by mutual love, and more by the envy and fear of the third factor—woh.
Since the birth of Pakistan, Washington has embraced and dumped its favourite service provider depending on its equation with Russia, China, the Islamic World, and India. Because of its geopolitical location–on the rim of Communism, Afghanistan and the Middle East, Pakistan has been Washington’s favourite hunting ground, whenever it felt the need for a partner.
Pakistan has played its part in this drama, which is more absurd than the Brad Pitt-starrer Original Sin, with the perfection of Angelina Jolie. Their story has been a rollercoaster of aid packages, betrayals, and awkward make-up sessions since the 1950s.
Over the next few days, we revisit this saga that started with Washington’s reluctance to India’s Partition. It soon turned into a transactional epic with Love at First Aid before reaching its lowest point with the 2021 Joe Biden pullout that left Pakistan high and dry.
Stay tuned for this riveting story that has more drama and action than Heera Mandi.
– Ends
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Impact of detection rate and preventive treatment of latent tuberculosis infection on the future burden of tuberculosis among students in shanghai: a predictive study using Markov modeling | BMC Public Health
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OnePlus Rumored to Test Blazing 165Hz Display for Upcoming Phones
A fresh rumor out of China suggests OnePlus is gearing up for a major leap in display technology, testing smartphone panels with an ultra-fast 165Hz refresh rate, a first for the brand.
The surprising twist? The first OnePlus phone to get the upgrade may not be a flagship at all but an unnamed mid-range model. The company reportedly plans to bring the same display tech to its high-end devices later, with the OnePlus 15 tipped as a likely candidate.
Higher Refresh Rate, Lower Resolution?
The new panel is said to feature a 1.5K resolution, which could strike a balance between sharpness and battery efficiency. This is especially interesting in light of rumors that the upcoming OnePlus 15 might ship with a lower resolution than its predecessor. The higher refresh rate could help offset the downgrade, delivering smoother animations and scrolling.
But Will It Matter for Gaming?
While 165Hz sounds impressive on paper, real-world benefits may be limited, at least for gamers. OnePlus devices running ColorOS, OxygenOS, or Realme UI have historically struggled to push beyond 60Hz/60fps in many popular games. Even the powerful OnePlus 13 failed to surpass that threshold in benchmark gaming tests.
If the situation doesn’t change, the upgrade could feel more like a spec sheet flex than a functional improvement. For day-to-day use, the visual jump from 120Hz to 165Hz is subtle, and most users may not notice a dramatic difference.
Why OnePlus Might Still Do It
While 165Hz displays have become a hallmark of dedicated gaming phones, they remain outside the mainstream for typical flagships. Even industry heavyweights like Samsung, Apple, and Google, leaders in display innovation, still cap their premium devices at 120Hz. This makes OnePlus’s rumored jump to 165Hz a bold move that could set it apart in the broader flagship market, even if the feature has so far been associated more with niche gaming hardware than everyday smartphones.
Spec bumps like this often appeal to hardcore tech fans and reviewers, boosting the brand’s competitive image. Even if gaming performance doesn’t fully utilize the 165Hz refresh rate, smoother scrolling and more responsive UI animations could still improve the user experience, at least in theory.
With OnePlus already deep into testing, we could see this high-refresh-rate tech arrive as soon as later this year. Whether it’s a real performance boost or just marketing muscle, fans will be watching closely.
ALSO READ: High Refresh Rate: Your Smartphone’s Hidden Superpower
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Researchers Gather Air Quality Data From LA Wildfires
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Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.In early 2025, wildfires spread in Los Angeles, destroying tens of thousands of homes and businesses. During the fires, smoke blanketed the region and online maps provided residents with rapid air quality information. Now, a study in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology Letters compares the data that went into the maps from federal monitoring stations, low-cost sensors and satellites. Their results highlight the importance of combining multiple data sources to form easily accessible information for the public.
“Timely and accurate air quality information is crucial for the public to reduce their smoke exposure during wildfire events,” says Claire Schollaert, the study’s corresponding author. “Combining federal monitors, low-cost sensors, and satellite data can provide a more complete picture of local air quality, which can help people make safer choices in real time.”
Wildfires create smoke and haze that can be harmful to breathe. To reduce smoke exposure and mitigate potential health risks, public health experts recommend checking the local Air Quality Index (AQI) before stepping outside. The AQI ranks outdoor air from “Good” to “Hazardous,” calculating values from the levels of air pollutants present, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) AirNow Fire and Smoke Map and the PurpleAir low-cost sensor network are online platforms that provide AQI information from ground monitors. Additionally, the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map provides smoke plumes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hazard Mapping System. Satellite observations of near-real time air pollution are also collected but aren’t readily available on these popular online platforms. In a retrospective of the January 2025 LA wildfires, Schollaert and colleagues compared the data provided in these three publicly available datasets to understand where overlaps and informational gaps may occur.
The researchers obtained air quality monitoring data for LA County from eight EPA stations in the AirNow network, 728 low-cost particulate matter sensors, and satellite data of smoke plume outlines and pollutant concentrations. During the fire period, when the Eaton and Palisades wildfires ignited and intensified (Jan. 7-12, 2025):
- EPA stations detected elevated PM2.5 levels in downtown LA and Compton, reaching “Unhealthy” and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” AQI categories, respectively.
- Twelve of the low-cost sensors located closer to the fires (within 4.7 miles, 7.5 kilometers) had PM2.5 levels in the “Hazardous” AQI range.
- Satellite images tracked the movement of light- to heavy-density smoke in the atmosphere, which generally matched places on the ground with elevated PM2.5 levels.
The stationary ground monitors showed that high AQI values generally aligned with the locations of thick smoke plumes seen by the satellites, though this was not always the case. Additionally, each data source has its advantages and disadvantages: The EPA monitors are highly accurate but limited in number, the low-cost sensors are less accurate but more prolific, and the satellites cover even more ground but don’t always reflect the conditions on the ground. But combined, these tools could be useful for people in smoke-impacted areas to make informed decisions about their exposure risks in near real time, the researchers say.
Reference: Schollaert C, Connolly R, Cushing L, et al. Air quality impacts of the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires: Insights from public data sources.
ES&T Letters. 2025. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00486
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RNA Therapies: New LNP Additions Reduce Inflammation Risks
Patching holes, safer RNA delivery
LNPs enter cells with the help of endosomes, tiny sacs which help direct material entering cells to the right places. The research team found that when LNPs are delivering their “load” of RNA, the endosomes rupture like a burst balloon, allowing harmful substances to leak out and spark immune responses. These holes are detected by proteins called galectins, which drive inflammation.
Scientists found that adding a special fat molecule, 4A3-SC8, makes smaller holes that the cell can quickly patch up, reducing inflammation while keeping RNA delivery effective. In other words, the endosome springs a leak and the fat molecule can fix it.
They also discovered that a readily available but uncommon drug called thiodigalactoside (TG) can block inflammation when added to LNPs. TG is normally used to treat inflammation and cancer.
These strategies proved transformative in a mouse model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a common disease where fluid builds up in the lungs and oxygen levels drop to dangerous levels. Using either new treatment, the team delivered mRNA to treat the ARDS, which dramatically reduced lung inflammation and tissue damage without the harmful side effects typically caused by LNPs.
A step forward for RNA
“By designing LNPs that cause less damage and block inflammation pathways, we can expand RNA treatments to conditions like ARDS, heart attack, and stroke, where inflammation is a major challenge,” Brenner said.
He points out that these findings don’t mean COVID-19 vaccine LNPs cause harmful inflammation. “Vaccines rely on LNPs to stimulate the immune system throughout the body, which is key to their success, but this immune activation can worsen conditions like stroke or ARDS when LNPs are used as treatments,” Brenner explained. “Our study shows how to make LNPs safer for such diseases by reducing unwanted inflammation.”
The findings mark a significant step forward for RNA therapeutics, which have shown promise in treating cancers, genetic disorders, and now inflammatory diseases.
“This represents meaningful progress for RNA-based therapeutics,” said first author Serena Omo-Lamai, a PhD student researcher. “Our approaches could make LNPs safer and more versatile, opening doors to treat inflammatory diseases that were previously out of reach.”
Reference: Omo-Lamai S, Wang Y, Patel MN, et al. Limiting endosomal damage sensing reduces inflammation triggered by lipid nanoparticle endosomal escape. Nat Nanotechnol. 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41565-025-01974-5
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
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A project worth buzzing about
How a Baker Hughes team in Italy is embracing biodiversity conservation projects such as beekeeping and fostering meaningful community engagement.
Inspired by the opportunity to drive global impact while delivering local value, Marta joined Baker Hughes three years ago as a procurement intern.
Today, Marta is a key member of the sustainability team in the Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) business segment of Baker Hughes. As a procurement specialist focused on sustainability, she co-develops the procurement sustainability strategy and is involved in guiding its operationalization across the business. One of the most rewarding aspects of her role, she says, is ‘‘launching innovative initiatives and cultivating environments where sustainability can thrive.’’
Marta Rinaldi, Baker Hughes One such initiative is ‘Bees for the Future’, a biodiversity conservation project focused on urban beekeeping and education for sustainable development. It aims at creating a positive impact and fostering sustainability with local suppliers in regions where Baker Hughes employees live and work – which is a key part of the company’s Planet pillar of sustainability strategy.
The initiative began in Italy, home to eight Baker Hughes sites and 6,600 employees. Launched initially in Talamona in April 2023, the program expanded to Massa in April 2024, reflecting its growing impact across the nation. The project has resulted in multiple benefits to the larger community, such as corporate crowdfunding with urban regeneration, beekeeping, sustainability-focused educational workshops and social inclusion activities for people with disabilities.
In Talamona, Italy, Baker Hughes manufactures high-tech components for turbomachinery equipment, including parts for gas and steam turbines, compressors, and other related machinery. The facility is a center of excellence for advanced manufacturing, robotics, and digital solutions, leveraging technologies like additive manufacturing.
In Massa, Italy, center of excellence for gas technology equipment, Baker Hughes excels in welding, assembling, and rigorously testing advanced turbomachinery solutions, including the LM9000 aeroderivative gas turbine and large compressors primarily for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and new energy value chains.
In Massa, the project supported the redevelopment of an abandoned area and several walking trails within the Monte di Pasta Park. There, a honey garden was created featuring over ten species of pollinator-friendly plants and flowers. Together with Baker Hughes suppliers, the initiative adopted nine bee colonies, which are lovingly tended by a professional beekeeper.
Marta Rinaldi, first right, speaking at the Bees for the Future project’s launch event, Italy To find out more about the project, the Energy Forward Stories team caught up with Marta, as she explained key highlights and learnings:
What inspired your team to launch this project?
At Baker Hughes, our sustainability strategy includes climate stewardship, biodiversity, inclusion, and supporting education and knowledge to improve quality of life and food security. Sustainability for us, starts with people and the communities where we live and operate in.
This project was created because we really wanted to do something with our suppliers on sustainability that would have a positive impact locally. The idea was to involve different stakeholders. Some of our partners are members of the local community and non-profit associations, and with such diverse stakeholders, we wanted to create something innovative that encourages dialogue between different realities – one, true hands-on sustainability project!
How did you engage with the team?
At first, people wanted to better understand the value of getting involved. My role was to focus on explaining the benefits and understanding the specific needs of our stakeholders including the Baker Hughes team, our suppliers, and the local community. As the initiative evolved and we developed more details, there was positivity and enthusiasm from everyone.
Bees for Future project launch event with Baker Hughes employees and the local community, Italy How were the locations for the installation of the beehives chosen?
The town of Talamona is close to a local apiary APAS (Association of Beekeeping Producers of the Province of Sondrio), making it ideal for a pilot project. In Massa, the location offered a unique opportunity to regenerate the Monte di Pasta public park, allowing us to integrate biodiversity support with urban renewal and social inclusion.
Both Baker Hughes facilities in these two towns have a strong relationship with the community and were therefore identified as potential ‘sustainability hubs’. They were ideal locations for projects that blend local impact with addressing global challenges like decline of pollinators and climate change.
How did you and the team make this project a reality?
We began by defining with a local crowdfunding partner the baseline of the project. This was to ensure we established a clear purpose, enabling us to achieve our sustainability goals and respond to specific needs of our stakeholders.
We then engaged with employees and key external collaborators to build a cross-functional approach for co-creation, setting-up and fine-tuning the project scope.
Finally, we launched the initiative by hosting opening ceremonies , kicking off all the activities related to sustainability such as training sessions, beekeeping and social inclusion. On May 20, 2024, International Bee Day, we officially launched the Massa project at Monte di Pasta Park. The event brought together local officials, school children, suppliers, and community members. In addition to being a celebration, it demonstrated our deep commitment to biodiversity, sustainability education and inclusion. The buzz of the bees was matched only by the energy and smiles of the people.
Every step was designed to engage and inspire everyone involved.
Bee keeping in practice in Italy What are the three key goals your team established for this project?
First, our goal is to protect biodiversity and the quality of life by supporting pollinators. Creating habitats that help ecosystems thrive through the adoption of bees and creation of pollinator-friendly environments is essential. Second, we want to foster a culture of keeping sustainability top of mind for all our actions and behaviors – both at work and outside of work – one that is lived, not just talked about. And third, we wanted to respond to the needs of our local community and promote social inclusion, revitalizing public spaces and ensuring that the benefits of the project reach far beyond our office and factory walls.
Have the beehives made a noticeable impact so far?
Yes. A single bee can visit up to 5,000 flowers a day and we adopted 650,000 bees, meaning from our Massa plant alone, they could visit 3 billion flowers in a single day, a massive boost to any ecosystem. Such a large population of bees could cover hundreds of acres of crops like apples, almonds, or blueberries in the region.
So far, we have donated 130 kg of honey, we involved 12 strategic partners and four non-profit associations. Through this initiative, around 80 people, employees and non-employees, have been trained.
In addition, we were able to get insights from the ecosystems’ health. Bees are bio-indicators. They are super sensitive to pollution, so they are perfect for naturally monitoring the environment. The honey analysis confirmed high purity and biodiversity, with no traces of pesticides or harmful pathogens. So, we were very pleased.
These results are especially meaningful in the context of pollinator crisis. According to the European Commission, one in three pollinator species in the EU is in decline, and one in ten is at risk of extinction. Around four out of five crop and wild flowering plant species depend on animal pollination, this means that pollinators have a key role in food security and thriving ecosystems. Our project is a small but powerful step in reversing that trend.
How did you work with charitable organizations to support or guide the project?
Charities were essential to the project’s success. In Talamona, the honey was donated to the Opera delle Minime Oblate, which supports disadvantaged youth. In Massa, Caritas distributed the honey to local families in need. These organizations helped us ensure that the project had a strong social impact.
They guided us in understanding local needs and helped us connect sustainability with solidarity, turning honey into a symbol of care in the community.
Local community participants at the launch event, in Italy What does leading this project mean to you personally?
I really love to talk and connect with different people. I love nature and I am protective about it. This project has shown us that environmental conservation isn’t just about the planet, but its impact reaches far beyond.
With a job in corporate sustainability, I found my vocational path and my career, so it is something that gives a meaning to my work. Nature reminds me to listen, not just to the world around me, but to myself and others. It sharpens my focus, sparks brilliant ideas, lifts my mood and energy. Nature has become both a guide and a teacher to me throughout my life.
I’m inspired by biomimicry – sustainability solutions inspired by nature. It taught me to observe how ecosystems thrive through balance, resilience, and interdependence, and to bring those same principles into the way we work and lead. For example, did you know that bees build honeycombs using hexagonal cells, which are mathematically the most efficient shape for storing the most honey with the least wax? This structure maximizes space and strength while minimizing material use – a principle even engineers admire.
Real impact begins when we align our actions with the wisdom of the world we’re trying to protect. True leadership is not about control but about genuine connection.
What is your advice for someone looking to lead a sustainability initiative?
I would say to start with a clear purpose and look to build strong partnerships. Engage your stakeholders early and often. Explain the ‘why’. Don’t be afraid to start small but think big. Measure your impact, tell your story, and stay open to learning.
Most importantly, remember that sustainability is not a solo act, it is a collective journey. I truly believe that when you bring people together around a shared goal, the results can be extraordinary.
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Protests held worldwide over Israel’s murder of Al Jazeera Gaza journalists | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Protests and memorials have erupted worldwide, and calls for accountability are growing after five Al Jazeera staff were assassinated in an Israeli strike on Gaza.
Late on Sunday, an Israeli attack hit a media tent outside the main gate of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, killing Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif, 28, along with colleagues Mohammed Qreiqeh, 33, Ibrahim Zaher, 25, Mohammed Noufal, 29, and Moamen Aliwa, 23.
Two other Palestinians were also killed, bringing the total death toll from the strike to seven.
Gaza’s Government Media Office says at least 238 journalists have been killed since Israel’s war on Gaza began in late 2023.
The latest killings have prompted outrage around the world. In Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, Palestinians filled the streets, waving flags and carrying photographs of the slain reporters.
Hundreds rallied in Tunisia, demanding accountability for the attacks. Protests took place in Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast and Republic of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, while vigils were held in Berlin, Germany and the Netherlands. Earlier demonstrations took place in Washington, DC, as well as London, Oslo and Stockholm.
From left to right: The media workers murdered by Israel: Anas al-Sharif, 28, Mohammed Qreiqeh, 33, and camera operators Ibrahim Zaher, 25; Moamen Aliwa, 23; and Mohammed Noufal, 29 [Al Jazeera] In the US capital, Washington, DC, protesters gathered outside a building housing NBC, Fox News, ITN and The Guardian.
Demonstrators were “banging pots and pans, making as much noise as possible” to disrupt live broadcasts happening inside, said Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi, reporting from the scene.
“The demonstrators say their coverage of the genocide in Gaza has given Israel room to kill so many Palestinians and, notably, so many journalists,” he said.
“Their message is: You are no longer the gatekeepers. We know what’s happening in Gaza. We know about the genocide despite your best efforts,” he added.
Rattansi said candles were lit for each journalist killed in Gaza, with particular attention given to al-Sharif.
![Wael Al-Dahdouh (R), Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Gaza, stands next to Al Jazeera anchor and presenter Mohamed Krichen (L) as he holds the portrait of Anas al-Sharif during a moment of silence to honour Anas and four other colleagues, killed in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City [Karim Jaafar/AFP]](https://afnnews.qaasid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/000_699Z86A-1754983484.jpg)
Colleagues hold a portrait of Anas al-Sharif during a moment of silence to honour the Al Jazeera reporters who were the latest journalists killed by Israel in Gaza [Karim Jaafar/AFP] Hazami Barmada, one of the organisers of the Washington, DC protest, told Al Jazeera the media organisations had helped to create “public consent for the murder of these journalists … by making excuses for the Israeli government to target and kill them”.
She added: “After their death, [the media organisations] continue to justify the illegal death, shooting, bombing and murdering journalists, which is a crime against humanity and a war crime.”
Press freedom group PEN America said the killing of the five journalists in Gaza “raises grave concerns” and “could amount to a war crime”.
“This attack not only wiped out an entire team of journalists – at a time when there are fewer and fewer voices able to report from Gaza – but also took six more Palestinian lives in an onslaught that has already claimed thousands of lives,” said Liesl Gerntholtz, managing director of its PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center.
“The fact that [Anas] al-Sharif’s family, friends, and colleagues must now defend him from unsupported accusations rather than being able to mourn him and honour his legacy as a journalist adds to the disgraceful nature of this crime,” Gerntholtz added.
PEN America noted that al-Sharif was previously part of a Reuters team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2024.
![Wael Al-Dahdouh (C), Al Jazeera's bureau chief in Gaza, delivers a statement during a moment of silence to honour five of Al Jazeera staff members, killed in an overnight Israeli strike in Gaza City, at the networks' headquarters in Doha on August 11, 2025. [Karim Jaafar/AFP]](https://afnnews.qaasid.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/000_699Z86C-1754983310.jpg)
Wael Dahdouh, centre, Al Jazeera’s bureau chief in Gaza, delivers a statement during a moment of silence to honour five of Al Jazeera staff members killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza City, at the network’s headquarters in Doha on August 11, 2025 [Karim Jaafar/AFP] Elsewhere, an Australian journalists’ union released a statement condemning the “targeted killing of the five Palestinian media workers and the killing of nearly 200 others”.
The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), the largest organisation representing journalists in Australia, said al-Sharif’s “reports brought to the world the reality of the horrors being inflicted by the Israeli Government on the civilians in Gaza”.
“The targeting of journalists is a blatant attack on press freedom, and it is also a war crime. It must stop,” MEAA said, also calling for Israel’s ban preventing international journalists from reporting from Gaza to be lifted.
Separately, the United Nations condemned the killings, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for an “independent and impartial investigation”, his spokesperson said.
The killings come as Israel’s Security Cabinet has approved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to expand military operations and occupy Gaza City.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
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Israeli airstrike kills Al Jazeera’s Anas al-Sharif in Gaza : NPR
LEILA FADEL, HOST:
Reporters Without Borders says Israel’s lethal attacks on the media in Gaza have created the highest death toll for journalists ever recorded in a single year of war anywhere. NPR’s Aya Batrawy reports on the latest attack that killed Gaza’s most prominent television journalist Sunday night. And a warning – in this piece, which lasts about three minutes, you’ll hear descriptions of that attack.
(CROSSTALK)
AYA BATRAWY, BYLINE: Journalists cry out in disbelief. “Anas al-Sharif has just been martyred,” they say. The video shows the moments after a press tent was struck. Inside is 28-year-old al-Sharif’s lifeless, bloodied body, killed while wearing a blue press vest journalists don in war zones. Al-Sharif always wore it. He was a target, one of six Al Jazeera journalists named in a list 10 months ago by Israel, which accused them of having ties with militant groups. He saw his friends on that list assassinated or severely wounded. But al-Sharif, a father of two young children, one of whom was born in the war, never wavered and never left the north.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
ANAS AL-SHARIF: (Speaking Arabic).
BATRAWY: His boyish face and neatly combed hair belied the raw force of his live broadcasts in besieged areas of northern Gaza bombed by Israeli fighter jets.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AL-SHARIF: (Shouting in Arabic).
(SCREAMING)
AL-SHARIF: (Speaking Arabic).
BATRAWY: That reporting gained him huge admiration in Gaza and a combined social media following of 2 million people globally. In all, six journalists were killed in Sunday night’s attack, five of them with Al Jazeera, the network says. It happened just as Israel’s government plans to take over all of Gaza City, raising questions as to why the military killed al-Sharif now. Al Jazeera says the attack is an attempt to, quote, “silence the voices exposing the” military’s “impending seizure and occupation of Gaza.”
Israel’s military confirmed the airstrike, saying al-Sharif was a Hamas cell commander operating under the false cover of a journalist. The military published digitally altered graphics of documents it says show al-Sharif was a, quote, “terrorist” within the ranks of Hamas. The Committee to Protect Journalists says the allegations are unsubstantiated. Here’s the group’s chief executive, Jodie Ginsberg, speaking to NPR after Israel first made allegations against him and other Al Jazeera journalists last October.
JODIE GINSBERG: This is part of a pattern that we’ve seen from Israel in which Israel alleges that journalists are terrorists and then fails to produce any real, credible evidence that they are such.
BATRAWY: The group confirms nearly 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza in Israeli attacks in this war.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
AL-SHARIF: (Speaking Arabic).
BATRAWY: In his last broadcast, al-Sharif showed images of Gaza’s famished children suffering from Israeli restrictions on aid. Al-Sharif experienced the loss of his father early in the war in an airstrike on the family’s home, and he came to anticipate death. In a prewritten statement published after his killing, he says that through pain and suffering, he never once hesitated to convey the truth.
Aya Batrawy, NPR News.
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