Iraq’s prohibition zeal threatens Baghdad’s boozy subculture

SummaryThe UN Secretary-General’s special representative for Libya, Hannah Tetteh, emphasized the “volatile” security situation in Libya during a Security Council meeting, urging for a political will to resolve the ongoing crisis. She highlighted the necessity of a consensual roadmap that integrates elections into a broader political framework to promote state-building and strengthen institutions, attributing the political crises to competition for economic resources. Although the 2020 ceasefire agreement is largely holding, the security situation remains precarious...

SummaryHamas has rejected Israel's recent truce proposal, demanding a comprehensive agreement to end the ongoing war, amid Israeli airstrikes that have killed at least 40 people in Gaza. The proposal included a 45-day ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the disarming of Hamas, which the group refuses, seeking instead a full prisoner exchange and reconstruction efforts. As the humanitarian crisis worsens, with over half a million displaced and severe shortages of essentials, Hamas accused Israel...

Since March 18, nearly half a million Palestinians have been displaced in Gaza due to Israel's renewed bombing campaign, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The ongoing conflict has worsened the humanitarian crisis, leading to severe shortages of essential supplies and acute malnutrition among children, while Israeli restrictions hindered humanitarian access. OCHA highlighted the dire situation, stating that the Israeli occupation's actions appear to aim at clearing Gaza of...

More than 2 million people are currently trapped in the Gaza Strip, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric, who highlighted the increasing stress levels, particularly among children, due to ongoing hostilities and diminishing aid supplies. Humanitarian supplies are nearing depletion following Israel's full closure of cargo entry, including aid, since March 2, severely impacting the water sector, with nearly 90% of water assets affected. Since March, approximately 500,000 Palestinians have been displaced within Gaza, exacerbating...

Iran has filed a challenge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Canada, Sweden, Ukraine, and Britain regarding a UN aviation body's ruling on the 2020 downing of a Ukrainian passenger plane that killed all 176 people onboard. Iran argues that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) lacked jurisdiction over the case, asserting the incident was unintentional and due to human error amid heightened military alert due to tensions with the U.S. The four...

Israeli air strikes on encampments for displaced Palestinians in Gaza have resulted in at least 40 deaths, primarily among women and children, according to local civil defense. Meanwhile, Hamas officials reported nearing completion of consultations on a ceasefire proposal from Israel which demands disarmament from Hamas, a condition the group rejects. With humanitarian aid blocked and the region facing severe shortages, the UN has warned of an escalating crisis as the overall death toll in...