Al Jazeera English
Israeli sexual violence helping push Palestinians from West Bank: Report
A new report from an NGO has documented at least 16 cases of conflict-related sexual violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, carried out by Israeli settlers and soldiers. The findings suggest sexual violence is being used as a tool of displacement, compounding pressure on Palestinian communities already facing escalating settler attacks. The report adds to growing international scrutiny over conduct in the occupied territory amid the broader regional conflict.
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Japan lifts ban on lethal weapons exports in major shift of pacifist policy
Japan has approved the export of lethal weapons, including fighter jets, marking a dramatic departure from the pacifist principles that have defined its defense policy since World War II. The move signals Tokyo's intent to play a more assertive role in global security as tensions with China and North Korea continue to mount. For defense manufacturers and allies alike, Japan's vast industrial capacity entering the arms export market is a development with serious geopolitical weight.
Read article →Straits Times
Nearly 8,000 people died or disappeared trying to migrate in 2025
Nearly 8,000 migrants died or disappeared in 2025, according to the UN's migration agency, making it one of the deadliest years on record for those attempting dangerous crossings. Sea routes to Europe proved the most fatal, with countless victims lost in so-called "invisible shipwrecks" that go largely undetected. The toll underscores the scale of a humanitarian crisis that continues to claim lives far from public view.
Read article →BBC World
Role of US officials killed in crash in Mexico under scrutiny
Two U.S. officials killed in a car crash in Mexico following a joint operation to dismantle a clandestine drug lab are now at the center of a scrutiny over their precise roles in the mission. The incident raises pointed questions about the scope of American involvement in Mexican law enforcement operations, a perennially sensitive diplomatic issue. Details of what the officials were doing on the ground remain under investigation by both governments.
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Rabbi accused of war crimes selected for Israel’s national celebration
Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, who has been filmed demolishing Palestinian buildings in Gaza while reciting religious verses, has been selected to participate in Israel's national celebration. The choice has drawn sharp criticism given that Zarbiv faces accusations of war crimes tied to his documented actions in the territory. The selection raises serious questions about accountability and the signals sent by official state ceremonies.
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