Gisèle Pélicot testified in Avignon, France, about her ex-husband, Dominique Pélicot, who allegedly drugged her so other men could rape her while unconscious. Police discovered thousands of images and videos of the assaults. Dominique and 50 other men face trial for rape, with potential 20-year sentences. Gisèle pushed for a public trial to help other victims. The abuse came to light in 2020 after a security agent caught Dominique taking inappropriate photos, leading to a police investigation. Gisèle hopes her testimony will prevent similar ordeals for other women. Noah Prescott 05/09/2024 10:30 am
Victims of the Grenfell Tower fire are still awaiting justice after a report blamed “dishonest” companies and government failures. A cladding manufacturer concealed fire risks, while governments ignored concerns. Grenfell United called involved corporate bodies “crooks.” The 2017 fire killed 72 people. Hisam Choucair, who lost six family members, thanked the inquiry but noted delays in prosecutions. Investigations may conclude by 2026. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized accountability. Council leader Elizabeth Campbell apologized for the council’s failures before, during, and after the fire. Penelope Kingsley 05/09/2024 7:00 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on maintaining control of Gaza’s border with Egypt, complicating cease-fire efforts. The U.S. is proposing a new cease-fire and hostage release plan to end the nearly 11-month-old war. The Philadelphi corridor, seized by Israeli troops, is a key issue, with Hamas and Egypt demanding Israeli withdrawal. The UAE also criticized Israel’s stance. Netanyahu argues control is essential to prevent Hamas from rearming and insists on an alternative force to police the border before considering withdrawal. Ava Sinclair 05/09/2024 7:00 am
Israeli forces have conducted a deadly operation in the Jenin refugee camp, a stronghold of Palestinian militancy, since the Gaza war began. The fighting in Jenin has resulted in 18 of the 33 Palestinian deaths, mostly militants, with one Israeli soldier killed. The operation aims to curb sophisticated attacks against Israeli civilians. The raid has severely impacted Palestinian civilians, cutting water and electricity, confining families, and delaying ambulances. Jenin, a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has been under Israeli occupation since 1967 and saw significant violence during the second intifada in 2002. Ava Sinclair 05/09/2024 7:00 am
Seven years after the Grenfell Tower fire in West London killed 72 people, a public inquiry blamed unscrupulous manufacturers, cost-cutting local government, and reckless deregulation. The 1,671-page report detailed corner-cutting, dishonest sales practices, and lax regulation leading to the use of flammable cladding. The Conservative-run local council and contractors were criticized for installing dangerous materials, while suppliers like Arconic were accused of misleading the market about the cladding’s risks. The Building Research Establishment was also implicated in the scandal. Ava Sinclair 05/09/2024 3:30 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists Israeli forces will not leave the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza, crucial for preventing weapon and hostage smuggling. While open to alternatives for a permanent ceasefire, he doubts their feasibility. Netanyahu emphasizes the need for Israeli troops in the buffer zone for security, calling it a “red line.” Hamas claims Netanyahu’s stance undermines the ceasefire and urges pressure on Israel. Netanyahu argues that further concessions after recent hostage killings by Hamas would be “illogical,” “immoral,” and “insane,” reaffirming Israel’s firm stance. Noah Prescott 05/09/2024 3:30 am
Several members of Meta’s Oversight Board, which ruled that the anti-Israel phrase “from the river to the sea” is not hate speech if not used to glorify Hamas or incite violence, have expressed critical views of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The board, founded in 2020 and claiming independence from Meta, includes diverse members like Nobel Laureate Tawakkol Karman and former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger, who have made statements questioning Israel’s policies. The board did not disclose individual votes or the vote tally for this decision. Ava Sinclair 05/09/2024 3:30 am
Ukraine is experiencing its largest government shake-up since Russia’s 2022 invasion, as President Zelensky prepares to visit the U.S. to present a “victory plan.” This visit coincides with Ukraine’s strategic preparations for the upcoming U.S. presidential election and renewed pleas for Western allies to lift restrictions on long-range weapon use. Zelensky seeks new energy in his government, leading to several ministerial resignations, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The reshuffle occurs amid intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, with significant casualties reported. Kuleba’s resignation is pending parliamentary approval. Noah Prescott 05/09/2024 3:30 am
A report on the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London, which killed 72 people, found that decades of government, regulatory, and industry failures turned the building into a “death trap.” The inquiry, led by retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, cited dishonest companies, weak regulators, and complacent government as factors. Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized and promised action. Survivors await potential prosecutions, which may not occur before 2026. The fire, fueled by flammable cladding, raised questions about how a structurally fire-resistant building became so dangerous. The report criticized companies for manipulating safety tests. Penelope Kingsley 05/09/2024 12:00 am
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces backlash as parliament undertakes a major government reshuffle amid Russia’s invasion. Critics accuse Zelenskyy of consolidating power by appointing loyalists, leveraging martial law that grants him extended powers and suspends elections. Opposition figures, like Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze, cite a governance crisis marked by numerous resignations, including Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, allegedly due to conflicts with Zelenskyy’s head of office, Andriy Yermak. Kuleba’s direct contacts with Western officials raised concerns within Zelenskyy’s administration about loyalty. Penelope Kingsley 05/09/2024 12:00 am
