Putin wins Russia election in landslide with record turnout, early results show

President Vladimir Putin won a record post-Soviet landslide in Russia’s election on Sunday, cementing his grip on power though thousands of opponents staged a noon protest at polling stations and the United States said the vote was neither free nor fair. For Putin, a former KGB lieutenant colonel who first rose to power in 1999, the result is intended to … [Read more…]

World Court says Israel must prevent genocide in Gaza, stops short of ceasefire order

The World Court ordered Israel on Friday to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and do more to help civilians, although it stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by the plaintiff South Africa. While the ruling denied Palestinian hopes of a binding order to halt the war in Gaza, it represented a legal setback for … [Read more…]

Russia set to hold presidential election in March 2024

Russia’s upper house of parliament has voted to set the date for the country’s next presidential election for March 17, 2024, potentially moving President Vladimir Putin closer to a fifth term in office. Members of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly voted unanimously on Thursday to approve a decree setting the date. “With this decision, we … [Read more…]

War resumes in Gaza after truce collapses

…Wounded children carried from home in Rafah Israel’s warplanes pounded Gaza, sending wounded and dead Palestinians into hospitals and residents into the streets to flee, as its war against Hamas resumed after talks to extend a week-old truce broke down. As the deadline lapsed, Reuters journalists in Khan Younis in southern Gaza saw eastern areas … [Read more…]

Israel-Gaza War: Second hostage-for-prisoners release looms, Egypt sees ‘positive signals’ on Gaza truce extension

…Egypt says sees ‘positive signals’ over possible truce extension …Israeli military spokesman expects 13 Israeli hostages to be freed Saturday Hamas was expected to release a second group of Israelis on Saturday under a deal to allow an exchange of 50 hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and Egypt indicated the four-day truce could be extended by … [Read more…]