Gaza bakeries shut and painkillers on ration after month of Israeli blockade

French lawyer Rafik Chekkat stated that the charge of “terrorist propaganda” is being used to silence criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, exemplified by the recent arrest of political scientist Francois Burgat on July 9, 2024, following a complaint from the European Jewish Organisation. Although Burgat was released the same day, the prosecution has sought an eight-month suspended sentence and a fine, highlighting a broader trend of suppressing dissent regarding Palestine. Chekkat emphasized that this...

Over 1.2 million Palestinian students in Gaza and the West Bank have benefited from Jordan's "Wise School" e-learning platform, launched this academic year in collaboration with the World Islamic Sciences and Education University. Developed under royal directives, the platform enables offline access to the Palestinian curriculum for grades one to twelve, with accredited certificates from the Palestinian Ministry of Education. The app is highly visited globally, offering interactive content, exam preparation support, and additional resources...

In December 2024, the UN General Assembly requested an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice regarding Israel's obligations to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, but by April 2025, Israel had completely blocked aid, continuing its policy of starvation under the guise of preventing Hamas' influence. Despite this urgent humanitarian crisis, the advisory ruling is expected to be ignored by Israel and will take months, reflecting the international community's complicity and lack of actionable...

Simona FoltynBBC World ServiceReporting fromIraqi KurdistanPhil CallerFor generations Sherwen Sergeli and his family have made a living from his village's land, but that's now under threatNestled in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan sits the picturesque village of Sergele. For generations villagers have made a living growing pomegranates, almonds and peaches and foraging in the surrounding forests for wild fruits and spices.But Sergele, located 16km (10 miles) from the border with Turkey, has become increasingly surrounded...

The United Nations, anticipating significant cuts to U.S. contributions under President Trump, has instructed its departments to propose budget cuts and staff relocations by May 15. This directive, part of an initiative called UN80 aimed at improving efficiency, comes amid financial challenges exacerbated by reduced contributions from major donors and a cash-flow crisis. U.N. officials expect a 20% budget reduction for 2026, translating to billions in losses, prompting agencies like UNICEF to consider relocating staff...

Unconfirmed reports indicate that unidentified individuals broke into the mausoleum of former Syrian president Hafez Assad in Qardaha and removed his remains, leaving the site heavily damaged and burnt. The current location of Assad's remains is unknown, coinciding with increased violence against the Alawite sect amid the rise of a Sunni-led government. In December 2024, following the overthrow of the Assad regime, rebels set fire to the mausoleum, symbolizing the decline of the Assad dynasty...