Infighting and inflation ahead of Iraqi Kurdistan vote

Tens of thousands protested in Rome against Israel's actions in Gaza, organized by Italy's opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, Five Star Movement, and Greens and Left Alliance. Protesters condemned the Israeli government's actions as genocidal, with leaders highlighting the death toll, including over 15,000 children, and calling for an end to military cooperation with Israel. The demonstration, which drew over 300,000 participants, coincided with solidarity events in other Italian cities, amid ongoing international scrutiny...

A group called "Martyr Muhammad Deif Brigades," named after Hamas's military leader killed in an Israeli strike in 2024, has reportedly claimed responsibility for a recent shelling. However, Reuters was unable to independently verify this claim. The situation highlights ongoing tensions and the complexities surrounding military actions in the region. Full Article

SummaryIsraeli forces arrested at least 11 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including five in Bethlehem and others in Hebron and Jenin, while also extending the closure of Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah for another 60 days. Illegal settlers intensified their attacks by cutting down olive saplings and harassing Palestinian shepherds, with 1,691 reported attacks in May alone. Since the onset of the Gaza assault on October 7, 2023, at least 973 Palestinians have been...

SummaryShipping traffic has remained below pre-conflict levels, with only 20-23 ships daily reported in August 2023, compared to an average of 72-75 ships before the Houthis began their attacks in the Red Sea in November 2023. These attacks were part of a larger response in support of Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. The situation highlights the impact of regional tensions on maritime activities, affecting global shipping routes and trade dynamics. Full Article

Iranian intelligence has reportedly acquired a significant cache of sensitive strategic documents from Israel, including information on the country's nuclear facilities and military projects, according to Iranian state media. The documents were obtained some time ago but were kept secret due to the complexities involved in securely transferring them to Iran, where they are now stored in designated secure sites. The volume of the documents is extensive, making it a lengthy process to review, and...

Syria announced the closure of the Rukban camp for displaced people, marking the end of a significant humanitarian crisis, according to Emergency and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh. The camp, located in a demilitarized zone on the Syria-Jordan border, had housed thousands of Syrians awaiting entry into Jordan after the collapse of the Assad regime in December. Following this political shift, families began returning to their homes, with al-Saleh expressing hope that this closure will...