Palestinians have commemorated the 1948 Nakba, or “catastrophe”, when hundreds of thousands of people were expelled from their homes during the establishment of the State of Israel as Israeli forces continue their assault on Gaza. The Nakba has been one of the defining experiences for Palestinians, helping to shape their national identity. This year’s commemoration … Read more
As the war enters its 809th day, these are the main developments. Here is the situation on Monday, May 13, 2024. Fighting Ukraine’s military chief Oleksandr Syrskii said his forces were facing a “difficult situation” in the northeastern Kharkiv region, where thousands more people have fled their homes amid an advance by Russian forces. Ukraine’s … Read more
Inside the labyrinth of the State Department’s mechanisms that allow the flow of weapons to Israel, despite violations. Over the years, the United States government has been creating special mechanisms to shield Israel from sanctions designed to punish countries for human rights abuses. President Joe Biden has paused a weapons shipment to Israel and acknowledged … Read more
A total of 143 member nations voted in favour, reflecting global opinion on Israel’s war on Gaza. The international community has debated Palestinian statehood for decades. Full membership at the United Nations would effectively recognise that. Sweeping support at the General Assembly is the first step, but the final seal of approval comes from the … Read more
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in the Swedish port city of Malmo against Israel’s participation in the pan-continental Eurovision Song Contest. Protesters waving Palestinian flags packed the historic Stortorget square near Malmo’s 16th-century town hall before a planned march on Thursday through the city for a rally in a park several kilometres from the Eurovision … Read more
Ukrainian state security said earlier this week that they unearthed an assassination plot including two state guards. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired the head of the state guards following allegations that two members were involved in a plot to assassinate the embattled Ukrainian head of state. Zelenskyy dismissed former leader of the state guards … Read more
Russia’s May 9 parade marks the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and has become the country’s most important public holiday. In a speech in Moscow’s Red Square before thousands of soldiers, President Vladimir Putin praised his army fighting in Ukraine and accused “Western elites” of fomenting conflicts around the world. … Read more
Israeli army kills more Palestians in Gaza after takeover of crossing on vital route for aid deliveries. Israel’s seizure of the Rafah crossing worsens an already dire situation for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. Why has Israel defied the US and taken over the crossing? And what could the consequences be for all sides? … Read more
Vladimir Putin is firmly in power at home while facing a West hostile over Russia’s war on Ukraine. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has been installed for a fifth term with his hold on power in Russia firmer than ever. But the war in Ukraine has led to the country having its worst relations with the … Read more
The Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday that it has taken “operational control” of the Gazan side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt. Wael Abu Omar, a Gaza border official, said travel and the flow of aid into the Strip “stopped completely” as a result. Hamas said it agreed to a Qatari-Egyptian cease-fire proposal, and Israel … Read more