US embassy in Baghdad struck with seven mortars as attacks escalate

December 10, 2023

Approximately seven mortar rounds landed in the US Embassy compound in Baghdad during an attack early on Friday, a US military official told Reuters, in what appeared to be the largest attack of its kind in recent memory, Reuters reports. US forces in Iraq and Syria were also targeted with rockets and drones at least […]Continue Reading

Denmark’s parliament adopts law banning Quran burnings

December 9, 2023

Activists take part in a demonstration in Karachi on July 9, 2023, as they protest against the burning of the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque that outraged Muslims around the world [File: Rizwan Tabassum/AFP] Denmark’s parliament has passed a bill that makes it illegal to burn copies of the Quran in public places after protests […]Continue Reading

President Abbas: Peace conference a must to end Israel Gaza war

December 9, 2023

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Friday an international peace conference is a necessity to end the war in Gaza and to work out a lasting political solution that would lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, Reuters reports. In an interview with Reuters at his office in Ramallah, Abbas, 87, said the conflict […]Continue Reading

Indonesians protest against Rohingya refugees, clash with police

December 8, 2023

More than one hundred Indonesians protested Wednesday against Rohingya refugees who arrived on a western island by boat last week, calling for them to be relocated and clashing with police, AFP reports. The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, and thousands risk their lives each year on sea journeys to try and […]Continue Reading

Many wars, but nothing like this: Gaza man describes hunger and rage

December 8, 2023

People so hungry they break into UN warehouses to take whatever they can find. Children terrified of the noise of air strikes. Families using sea water to wash. Men cutting down trees in cemeteries to use as fuel to bake bread, Reuters reports. And in the morning, on days when the phones work, calls to […]Continue Reading

US announces visa bans after warning Israel over West Bank violence

December 7, 2023

The US on Tuesday began imposing visa bans on people involved in violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Washington officials said, after several appeals for Israel to do more prevent violence by Jewish settlers, Reuters reports. A new State Department visa restriction policy targets “individuals believed to have been involved in undermining peace, security, or Continue Reading

Despite Gaza death toll soaring, US unlikely to rethink weapons supplies to Israel

December 7, 2023

Facing a soaring death toll from Israel’s renewed offensive in southern Gaza, the Biden administration is trying to pressure its ally to minimise civilian deaths while stopping well short of the kind of measures that might force it to listen, such as threatening to restrict military aid. Top US officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris […]Continue Reading

Israel forces fight Hamas in southern Gaza, civilians seek shelter

December 7, 2023

Residents say Israeli bombing intensifies overnight across the Gaza Strip, killing or wounding a number of people, while tanks battled Palestinian militants north and east of Khan Younis. Khan Younis residents continue to flee their houses either to the west or to Rafah further south. Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hamas in southern Gaza […]Continue Reading

Hamas releases 24 hostages on first day of Gaza truce

November 24, 2023

Hamas fighters released 24 hostages on Friday during the first day of the war’s first truce, including Israeli women and children and Thai farm workers, after guns fell silent across the Gaza Strip for the first time in seven weeks, Reuters reports. The hostages were transferred out of Gaza and handed over to Egyptian authorities […]Continue Reading

Israel, Hamas agree deal for release of Gaza hostages, truce

November 22, 2023

Israel’s government and Hamas agreed on Wednesday to a four-day pause in fighting to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave, Reuters reports. Officials from Qatar, which has been mediating secret negotiations, as well as […]Continue Reading