Gazans Voice Frustration With Hamas in Rare Protest

US government lawyers are pushing for the deportation case of pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil to be moved to a Louisiana court seen as sympathetic to Trump's immigration policies. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, was arrested sparking protests, while Columbia's interim president stepped down amid funding cuts and criticism from Trump over student protests. The administration has targeted foreign students at Columbia and demanded changes to disciplinary processes and security measures, leading to protests...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has signed over 300 letters revoking visas of individuals in the US due to foreign policy views or criminal activities, reviewing each case personally before taking action. He has expelled permanent residents and students, including a Tufts University student and a Columbia University student, both involved in pro-Palestinian activism. Critics argue that Rubio's actions suppress free speech and assembly, prompting comparisons to authoritarian governments. Rubio defended his actions, stating that...

Movie stars Joaquin Phoenix, Penelope Cruz, and Richard Gere criticized the Academy for not defending Oscar-winning Palestinian filmmaker Hamdan Ballal, who was attacked by Israeli settlers. The Academy initially remained silent, prompting over 600 members to condemn the assault and demand stronger action. The film "No Other Land," which won an Oscar for best documentary, depicts the displacement of Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank, but has struggled to find a...

The Israeli military launched airstrikes in the southern outskirts of Beirut for the first time since a cease-fire in November, following rocket attacks from Lebanon, leading to fears of escalation. Hezbollah denied involvement, but tensions remain high after recent exchanges of fire and casualties in southern Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to enforce the cease-fire, while Lebanon's Prime Minister called the rocket fire irresponsible and a threat to stability, as the U.N. urged...

Israel conducted air strikes in southern Lebanon following new rocket fire, threatening Beirut and violating a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. Defence Minister Israel Katz warned of retaliation if attacks on northern towns continued, with Israel targeting Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah denied involvement in the rocket fire, as tensions escalate and schools close in the region, with recent Israeli strikes killing civilians and displacing thousands in Gaza. Full Article

In recent years, countries like Turkey have shown how democracy can deteriorate into "competitive authoritarianism," where leaders manipulate rules to their advantage and violate civil liberties. The arrest of Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, signals a shift towards full authoritarianism in Turkey, as President Erdogan aims to eliminate potential challengers. The geopolitical climate, lack of criticism from allies, and economic struggles have made it easier for authoritarian leaders like Erdogan to maintain power despite growing opposition....