Russia launched a missile barrage at Kyiv just before the new school year began, damaging a water treatment plant, metro station, two schools, and a university. Ukraine’s air force intercepted 22 missiles, but debris injured three people. Despite the attack, teachers and parents tried to maintain normalcy, welcoming students with music and flowers. One parent emphasized the nation’s resilience, while another described the fear and determination to continue schooling. A university student recounted the panic during the air raid alert. Ava Sinclair 02/09/2024 5:30 pm
The UK will suspend around 30 out of 350 arms export licenses to Israel due to the risk of violating international humanitarian law, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced. This is not a blanket ban or arms embargo. Meanwhile, President Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for not doing enough to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, while an Israeli source defended Netanyahu’s efforts. Netanyahu vowed a strong reaction to the deaths of six hostages found in Gaza, planning unprecedented actions against Hamas. Ava Sinclair 02/09/2024 5:30 pm
X, a major social network, was blocked in Brazil after Elon Musk refused to comply with local laws, leading to a supreme court ban. Millions of users lost access, prompting a migration to rival network Bluesky, which gained 500,000 users, including top influencer Felipe Neto. The ban follows a conflict between Musk and Judge Alexandre de Moraes, who demanded X remove far-right content post-January 2023 uprising. Musk, aligned with rightwing figures, accused Moraes of censorship. The final trigger was Musk’s failure to appoint a new legal representative after closing X’s local office. Noah Prescott 01/09/2024 6:31 am
During a 2022 trip to Nablus, Yara Asi recalled Israel’s military siege of the city, which lasted over three weeks and killed more than 23 Palestinians. That year saw over 150 Palestinian deaths in the West Bank, the deadliest since 2006. Attacks continued into 2023, with over 594 Palestinians, including 115 children, killed since October 7. Israel recently expanded its military campaign in the West Bank, marking the largest attack since 2002. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz’s statements have raised fears of Gaza-like destruction in the West Bank. Penelope Kingsley 01/09/2024 6:31 am
Fifteen Islamic State militants were killed in a joint raid by U.S. and Iraqi forces in Anbar province, resulting in injuries to seven American troops, U.S. Central Command announced. The militants possessed numerous weapons and explosive belts. The operation aimed to disrupt ISIS’s ability to plan attacks. No civilian casualties were reported. Iraqi forces confirmed airstrikes and an airborne operation, killing key ISIS leaders, destroying hideouts, and seizing important documents and devices. Penelope Kingsley 01/09/2024 6:31 am
UN agencies and local health officials in Gaza are launching a campaign to vaccinate 640,000 children against polio, amid localised pauses in fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas. The WHO aims to immunize at least 90% of children under 10 quickly, following Gaza’s first polio case in 25 years. The campaign is urgent to prevent a wider regional outbreak. The conflict has disrupted routine immunizations, leaving many children, like baby Abdulrahman Abu Judyan, vulnerable to infection. Ava Sinclair 01/09/2024 6:31 am
A woman evacuating from Pokrovsk to Vinnytsia mentions seeking accommodation there. Like many, her family delayed evacuation until the front line was just 10 kilometers away. Pokrovsk, once home to 60,000, is now emptying. President Zelenskyy described the situation as “extremely difficult,” with 58 Russian attacks repelled recently. The US Institute for the Study of War noted significant Russian advances southeast of Pokrovsk. The town, a crucial logistical hub, is vital for Ukraine’s defense supply lines. The fall of Avdiivka, 25 kilometers east, enabled the rapid Russian advance. Penelope Kingsley 31/08/2024 11:30 pm
The first families have begun to leave Jenin camp after nearly four days of being sealed off by an Israeli military operation. Fierce fighting occurred, especially in the Damaj neighborhood and near camp entrances. Amid gunfire and military drones, women and children passed Israeli army vehicles. Oruba Shalabi, carrying her two-month-old daughter, described their ordeal, including being fired upon and having their home partially destroyed. They were given two minutes to leave, had their phones and IDs checked, and were made to stand in the sun before being allowed to walk away. The camp had no electricity or water, and anyone near windows was shot at. Noah Prescott 31/08/2024 11:30 pm
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk after an F-16 crash killed a pilot during a Russian attack. Zelenskyy emphasized the need to protect personnel and strengthen the army’s command. Lt. Gen. Anatolii Kryvonozhko was appointed as acting commander. The dismissal coincided with Oleshchuk’s criticism of a lawmaker’s claim that the F-16 was downed by a Patriot air-defense system. Penelope Kingsley 31/08/2024 11:30 pm
China and the Philippines blamed each other for a collision between their vessels in the South China Sea, escalating tensions over disputed waters. China claimed a Philippine ship deliberately collided with its coast guard, while the Philippines accused China of ramming its vessel without provocation. The incident occurred near Sabina Shoal, within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. The U.S. condemned China’s actions, supporting the Philippines. The confrontation is part of broader territorial disputes involving multiple countries, with China rejecting a U.N. ruling against its extensive claims in the region. Penelope Kingsley 31/08/2024 11:30 pm
