World Affairs
- AP News
Why Israel is so determined to launch an offensive in Rafah. And why so many oppose it
informed Summary
- Israel is planning a ground offensive against Hamas in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost town. This has raised international concern due to the potential harm to more than a million Palestinian civilians. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the military will proceed with or without a cease-fire deal.
World Affairs4 min read - NPR
With a deadline looming, countries race for a global agreement to cut plastic waste
informed Summary
- Negotiators from 170 countries are close to a deal on a global treaty to reduce plastic waste, according to a United Nations official. The final round of negotiations will take place in South Korea in November.
World Affairs3 min read - El Pais
Russian high schools to begin training children in the use of drones
informed Summary
- The Russian government has announced a new program to teach students how to manufacture and fly military drones, with the Ministry of Education planning to buy more than 17,000 drones this year.
World Affairs4 min read - CBS
Hope for new Israel-Hamas cease-fire piles pressure on Netanyahu
informed Summary
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing pressure from all sides over the war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Far-right members of his cabinet have threatened to withdraw their support if he accepts a cease-fire deal with Hamas.
World Affairs5 min read - DW
Why is the EU still buying Russian gas?
informed Summary
- The European Union has reduced its reliance on Russian gas, with the share of Russian pipeline gas imported by member states falling from 40% in 2021 to about 8% in 2023. However, the total share of Russian gas -- including Liquefied Natural Gas -- was 15% in 2023.
World Affairs5 min read - NPR
A 100-degree heat wave in Gaza offers a sweltering glimpse of a tough summer to come
informed Summary
- Thousands of Palestinians living in makeshift tents in the Gaza Strip are suffering from extreme heat, with temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The tents, initially built for the cold, rainy nights of a Gaza winter, have become unbearable in the heat.
World Affairs4 min read - CNN
Julian Assange’s mission was to change the world - but at what cost?
informed Summary
- Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, has been in London's high-security Belmarsh prison for the past five years and spent nearly seven years before that at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, trying to avoid arrest. He faces life imprisonment in the U.S. for publishing hundreds of thousands of sensitive military and government documents.
World Affairs8 min read - AP News
‘The movement will persist’: Advocates stress Weinstein reversal doesn’t derail #MeToo
informed Summary
- The #MeToo movement's founder, Tarana Burke, has said that the movement is greater than any court case, following the overturning of Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction by New York's highest court. She emphasized that the movement was responsible for the cultural shift that allowed a man like Weinstein to be brought to court.
World Affairs5 min read - Politico
EU pulls its gun on China
informed Summary
- Europe has shifted from its passive stance towards China, demonstrating readiness to confront Beijing over issues such as state subsidies to Chinese companies. Recent investigations -- including a raid on Nuctech -- signal a clear change in approach, coinciding with Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to Europe.
World Affairs1 min read - AP News
Hamas again raises the possibility of a two-state compromise. Israel and its allies aren't convinced
informed Summary
- Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has indicated that it could accept a two-state compromise with Israel. However, the organization, has refused to recognize Israel or renounce its armed fight against it. This stance has led to suspicion and accusations that Hamas is still intent on destroying Israel.
World Affairs3 min read - AP News
Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction is overturned by New York's top court
informed Summary
- New York's highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction on the grounds that the trial judge unfairly allowed testimony based on allegations not part of the case. However, Weinstein will remain in prison due to another rape conviction in Los Angeles in 2022.
World Affairs5 min read - Politico
How a second Trump presidency could tear Europe apart
informed Summary
- Europe will face several challenges if Donald Trump's returns to the White House, with potential repercussions on Ukraine and NATO. Trump's plan entails coercing Ukraine into ceding territories to Russia, which could pose a threat to European unity.
World Affairs1 min read - AP News
Ukraine gets a big boost of US aid. It still faces a long slog to repel Russia
informed Summary
- The U.S. has approved a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which is expected to help the country slow the Russian army's advances and block its strikes on troops and civilians. The aid will also buy Ukraine time for long-term planning on how to reclaim the parts of the country now under Russian control.
World Affairs5 min read - Neue Zürcher Zeitung
A human smuggler in Niger on why migration is surging
informed Summary
- Souleymane Sanda, a human smuggler in Niger, has resumed his operations after a seven-year hiatus due to the repeal of an anti-smuggling law. The law was introduced in 2015 amid pressure from Europe to curb the flow of migrants towards Libya and Algeria.
World Affairs5 min read - DW
Can the EU afford new members in the east?
informed Summary
- Polish farmers have been protesting against the potential entry of Ukraine into the European Union, fearing that cheap Ukrainian grain could threaten their livelihoods. The EU's recent enthusiasm for expansion has raised concerns about the economic impact on existing members and citizens.
World Affairs3 min read - AP News
How the search for the origins of COVID-19 turned politically poisonous
informed Summary
- The search for the origins of COVID-19 has been stalled in China due to political infighting and a lack of cooperation from the Chinese government, according to an investigation by AP. This includes the closure of labs, the barring of Chinese researchers from leaving the country, and the expulsion of foreign scientists.
World Affairs12 min read - NPR
Talks for a plastic pollution treaty are stalling. Could the U.S. be doing more?
informed Summary
- Negotiators from around 175 countries have been discussing a treaty to clean up plastic pollution for more than a year. Critics -- including scientists and civil society groups -- blame the U.S. for the lack of progress, citing its unwillingness to push for measures that would significantly reduce plastic waste. These include caps on manufacturing.
World Affairs9 min read - El Pais
The West has lost its judgment
informed Summary
- Since Oct. 7, more than 200 humanitarian workers -- mostly Palestinians -- have been killed in the Gaza Strip due to attacks by the Israeli army. This has led to growing anger among aid workers in the Middle East.
World Affairs5 min read - CNN
China sees foreign threats ‘everywhere’ as powerful spy agency takes center stage
informed Summary
- China's Ministry of State Security has increased its public profile under President Xi Jinping, warning citizens of the omnipresence of foreign spies and encouraging them to report any suspicious activities. The MSS has used various media -- including videos, comic strips, and social media posts -- to raise awareness of potential espionage threats.
World Affairs9 min read - CNBC
Emirates CEO issues apology after Dubai flood chaos leaves 30,000 suitcases to limbo
informed Summary
- Historic rains in the United Arab Emirates caused record flooding and chaos at Dubai's airport last week, leading to hundreds of flights being grounded and thousands of customers stranded. Emirates Airlines' CEO, Tim Clark, issued an apology to customers for the disruption.
World Affairs3 min read
