The Israeli military ordered evacuations from Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza after strikes killed and wounded many, according to hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya. Two individuals claiming to be Gazan detainees, allegedly sent by the Israeli military, facilitated the evacuations. The IDF denied striking the hospital but confirmed operations against terror infrastructure nearby. Limited communication hindered further updates from Abu Safiya. Israeli forces have besieged northern Gaza, restricting aid and displacing residents, while frequently targeting hospitals and detaining medical staff. Noah Prescott 06/12/2024 6:30 pm
Prince William will attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, marking its restoration after a devastating fire in 2019. The Prince of Wales will join French President Emmanuel Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump, and other leaders at the ceremony. The restoration, costing €700m, involved 2,000 skilled workers and met Macron’s five-year reconstruction goal. The cathedral, closed since the fire, was not only repaired but also cleaned of centuries of dust. King Charles previously visited the site to observe the restoration efforts. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 6:30 pm
Romania’s constitutional court annulled the first round of the 2024 presidential election, won by far-right candidate Calin Georgescu, due to alleged Russian interference. The decision cancels the planned runoff against centrist Elena Lasconi and mandates restarting the electoral process. The court cited Article 146(f) for ensuring electoral legality. Concerns arose from declassified documents revealing Russian cyber-attacks and TikTok interference boosting Georgescu. The US State Department expressed worries about potential impacts on security cooperation. Georgescu’s unexpected rise came amid these controversies. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 6:30 pm
South Korea’s soft-power dominance, led by cultural exports like BTS and Squid Game, faced a setback when President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly imposed martial law to counter political opposition. The decree was quickly reversed after parliamentary opposition, but it damaged South Korea’s international reputation. While some citizens lamented the impact on their global image, others saw the crisis as a testament to the strength of South Korea’s democracy, highlighting swift action by lawmakers and citizens to uphold democratic rights. Noah Prescott 06/12/2024 6:30 pm
A rebel offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham reignited Syria’s civil war, capturing Aleppo and pushing Assad’s forces from Hama. The conflict involves shifting militant groups and international proxies, with Iran and Russia supporting Assad, while Turkey and the U.S. back local forces. U.S.-backed rebels, aided by airstrikes, may now be fighting Syrian government troops in the east. Approximately 900 U.S. troops are in Syria, facing frequent attacks, highlighting concerns over the expansive use of war powers post-9/11. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 8:00 am
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, faces criticism for her favorable stance toward Russia. Critics suggest she might be “compromised,” but Gabbard denies this. Former aides attribute her views to her media habits, noting she frequently shared articles from RT, a Russian propaganda outlet. Despite warnings, she continued using RT as a source. Intelligence veteran Doug London criticized her reliance on such outlets, questioning her suitability for the role. Gabbard’s spokesperson attributes her views to military experience, while former advisers note her diverse media consumption. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 8:00 am
South Korea faces political turmoil as the governing party chief supports suspending President Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers after his martial law declaration. Opposition parties push for impeachment, needing some ruling party support to achieve a two-thirds majority. Party leader Han Dong-hun cites risks of Yoon’s extreme actions and intelligence on potential arrests of politicians. Protests and strikes by labor unions demand Yoon’s resignation. Impeachment requires 200 votes in the National Assembly, with opposition holding 192 seats. The crisis alarms regional allies, including Japan and the U.S. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 4:30 am
Syrian rebels, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have captured Hama after the military withdrew, marking a significant setback for President Bashar al-Assad. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani declared victory, promising no revenge. The rebels released inmates from Hama’s central prison amid fierce battles. Despite Russian and Iranian support, Assad’s forces couldn’t prevent the city’s fall. This follows the rebels’ capture of Aleppo, raising concerns about Assad’s ability to counter the advance. The conflict, ongoing since 2011, has claimed over half a million lives. Penelope Kingsley 06/12/2024 4:30 am
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to avoid Joe Biden’s fate by shifting focus from economic growth to improving voters’ well-being. In a major speech, Starmer will outline six key goals for health care, housing, education, policing, net zero, and the economy before the next election. Despite declining polls, Downing Street denies this is a “reset,” but insiders acknowledge the strategy is influenced by U.S. politics, particularly Biden’s challenges with voter dissatisfaction despite strong GDP figures. Ava Sinclair 06/12/2024 4:30 am
Ursula von der Leyen’s push for an EU-South America trade deal is deepening a Franco-German rift. Germany supports the Mercosur agreement to boost its manufacturing sector, while France opposes it, fearing harm to its farmers. This conflict challenges the EU’s trade negotiation role, with Germany questioning Brussels’ authority. Von der Leyen’s move is risky, especially amid France’s political crisis and President Macron’s longstanding opposition to the deal. The situation threatens EU unity and raises concerns about its foundational competences. Penelope Kingsley 06/12/2024 4:30 am
