The Islamic Resistance Movement: Palestinian Islamist nationalist group
The US Treasury has designated Palestine Action as a "specially designated global terrorist" group and has blacklisted its assets, following a UK proscription last year. Washington has frozen US-based property and barred Americans from dealing with the group while pointing to break-ins, damage to defence sites and social-media calls for similar actions.
The UK has signalled it is moving to sanction Israel over its West Bank E1 settlement tenders, warning that the move threatens the two‑state solution. Britain is preparing a comprehensive set of measures, including potential trade and other restrictions, while international condemnation grows.
A year after the Aug. 25, 2025 strike on Nasser Hospital, whistleblowers and witness accounts challenge Israel’s stated rationale. Reports allege a pattern of targeting journalists and emergency workers, with calls for accountability increasing across rights groups and policymakers.
The Times of Israel, BBC Business, France 24 and Bloomberg report that Israel has opened tenders for about 1,200 settlement homes in the E1 corridor, east of Jerusalem. The move draws international condemnation and raises concerns about a two-state solution. France, Germany, Italy and the UK join in urging reconsideration, while the EU and UN caution on the broader implications for regional stability.
Settlers have returned to Kadim, north of Jenin, with around 30 pioneer families arriving under military escort. The reopening follows the 2005 disengagement and signals a broader push to revive four northern West Bank settlements, amid a wider surge in settlement activity under Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. Palestinian residents fear displacement as tensions rise alongside new outposts and tenders in nearby areas.
Global stocks have rallied this month after officials reported progress in talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and a string of strong corporate earnings has bolstered investor sentiment. Treasuries and oil prices have fallen as traders pare back expectations for near-term Fed hikes; strategists warn valuations and one-off earnings boosts limit further upside.
Kurdistan authorities have reported Iranian-launched drones struck the private office of KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and the residence of the region's security agency chief on 17 August, with no casualties. The attacks come as Baghdad presses for a September 30 deadline to bring armed factions under state control and as cross-border strikes and US-Saudi operations have raised tensions across Iraq.
Houthis have launched repeated drone, missile and naval strikes that have damaged Yemen’s Mocha port, killed dozens and forced the port’s suspension. The group has claimed a drone hit on Saudi Aramco’s Jazan refinery and renewed attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al‑Mandeb, while Yemeni government forces have mounted counter‑attacks across multiple fronts.
Multiple storms have triggered record rainfall across parts of South Korea, the Philippines and China, causing evacuations, power outages and injuries. Geoje and nearby areas have seen rescues and ongoing emergency responses as the deluge continues.
Ceasefire negotiations in Gaza have stalled as Israeli air strikes resume, killing civilians and police officials. Mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar are pressing for a second phase of the ceasefire, including Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal. Health authorities report multiple casualties from coastal Gaza strikes, underscoring fragile hopes for a durable halt to hostilities.
The Mecca Joint Defence Agreement binds Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to mutual defence and deterrence. Signed August 7, it marks a shift toward regional security coordination as US involvement in the Middle East becomes more constrained, with analysts noting the pact may empower regional partners without fully replacing Washington’s role.
Burgas will stage Eurovision 2027 from May 11–15, with semifinals on May 11 and 13 and the final on May 15. The decision follows Bulgaria’s first Eurovision win this year and a competitive bid process that selected Burgas over Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv. Arena Burgas will host the event, marking Bulgaria’s first hosting and the contest’s first seaside venue.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed a federal review of ablution facilities at Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston’s George Bush airports, arguing they amount to unlawful religious discrimination. DFW has paused plans to install washing stations after a state-led review, while IAH already hosts a washing facility. The moves come amid broader concerns about government-funded facilities accommodating religious practices.
The NYPD is seeking help identifying two suspects who threw bags of motor oil at two Orthodox synagogues in Queens. The incidents are being investigated as hate crimes. Police say the video shows the attack at Young Israel of Jamaica Estates.
Kushner and Board of Peace envoys are engaging Hamas in Egypt to press for the 15-point Gaza plan. Netanyahu maintains disarmament conditions, while international mediators call for progress on the roadmap amid unfolding battlefield events.
Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has told a podcast host that targeted killings should extend to 30-40 Palestinians per night in Gaza, while urging emigration and settlement expansion. The remarks come as Israel scales back some strikes in Gaza and amid a broader election cycle. Multiple outlets corroborate his comments from interviews on the podcast The 8 October.
The Israel Defense Forces have adopted a policy of zero containment and zero tolerance toward launches of kites and balloons from Gaza toward the Negev, with officials stating that any balloon or kite will be treated as a drone, with or without explosives. The move follows clashes linked to the 2023 Hamas attacks and raises the stakes in the broader Gaza conflict.
Kushner and a U.S. envoy delegation have met Hamas leaders to advance the Gaza roadmap. Netanyahu maintains disarmament is a precondition for any Israeli withdrawal. Regional powers back mediators as talks accelerate toward a schedule for implementation.
California state senator Aisha Wahab has won the special election to serve the remainder of Eric Swalwell’s term in the 14th Congressional District, defeating Melissa Hernandez. Wahab will serve through January and will face Hernandez again in November for a full term. Her campaign faced heavy outside spending from groups tied to AIPAC.
Australia has pressed Israel for justice for Zomi Frankcom and six World Central Kitchen colleagues killed in Gaza in April 2024. Israel has decided not to prosecute those involved, citing serious failures but no criminal misconduct. Australia warns this falls far short of accountability and says it will pursue all avenues, including legal options, while consulting the Frankcom family.
Israeli justice and security officials have announced the death-penalty framework is advancing. Ben-Gvir has publicly shown a site with foundations for a hang facility and viewing booths for victims’ families, as protests and international condemnation mount. The plan applies to Palestinians tried in military courts and has sparked debate over discriminatory application and safeguards.
AP and partners report a thriving illicit trade at Gaza's border, with cigarettes, dual-use goods, tech, and daily essentials flowing in despite restrictions. The trade is profiting both sides, fueling prices for residents while supporting militant and military actors. Authorities say flows have increased since a fragile ceasefire, though remain well below prewar levels.
The International Criminal Court has faced intensified pressure as the United States expands sanctions against ICC officials and staff. Tomoko Akane, ICC President from Japan, says she will not bow to pressure, urging Japan to rally ICC partners while Washington signals possible further measures. The EU and allies defend ICC independence as Japan seeks to balance alliance dynamics.
Mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, have warned that renewed Israeli strikes threaten the Gaza ceasefire process at a critical stage. Palestinian casualties have risen amid ongoing Israeli operations as international efforts push for a phased disarmament and Israeli withdrawal, with Trump’s peace framework pressing for disarmament in stages while Israel demands full Hamas disarmament before withdrawal.
Palestinian casualties mount as Israeli forces clash with militants in Jenin and Sa’ir amid a broader West Bank surge. A 14-year-old boy has been killed, and two others are wounded after Israeli gunfire following stone-throwing incidents. In Jenin, a 58-year-old man was killed during a raid described by Israeli officials as an armed confrontation.
The Israeli Defense Forces have admitted firing at a family’s car as they fled an evacuation route, killing six in Gaza City. Two medics in the rescue ambulance were killed as it approached. Investigations are launched, but families and Red Crescent responders question the justice and timing.
Turkey has issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Afek Moskovitch, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity over the May interception of a flotilla heading to Gaza. The justice ministry has requested Interpol red notices as part of a case against 35 people. Israel denies the allegations and vows to continue actions against Ankara.
A joint letter published in Le Monde by 102 signatories urges France and the United Kingdom to uphold international law in Palestine, arguing for equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians. It accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing in the occupied territories and calls for penalties on settlements and arms transfers while urging humanitarian access.
A trio of reports shows diaspora Jews and Israel facing shifting loyalties amid a backdrop of antisemitism and the Gaza war. Diaspora leaders warn that faith in Israel as a homeland is waning for some young Jews, while Birthright programs strive to maintain a personal connection.
Israel has launched airstrikes against targets in Syria, citing imminent threats from a Turkish deployment near Aleppo. The move follows recent strikes on Abu al-Duhur airbase and has drawn condemnation from Syria, Turkey, and the US, who call for de-escalation. The situation remains fluid as regional actors weigh their next steps.
Updates show renewed Israeli strikes in Gaza amid ongoing U.S.-backed ceasefire efforts. Officials warn of a potential breakdown, with Palestinian casualties rising and international pressure mounting over disarmament and civilian protection.
The latest talks involve Ra’am leader Abbas and Segalovitz as potential coalition partners; Arab parties press for unity while Israelis gauge implications for a postelection coalition. A joint list and internal debates shape the path ahead ahead of the October 27 vote.
Israel has intensified strikes on Gaza and south Lebanon amid ongoing clashes with Hamas. Military says targets include weapon sites and underground facilities; casualties reported on both sides; ceasefire terms remain contested.
France and Saudi Arabia have signed a €6bn agreement to build three theme parks near Cergy‑Pontoise, northwest of Paris, led by Qiddiya Investment Company. One park has been described as manga‑themed and inspired by Dragon Ball Z. The project has been presented as creating about 22,000 jobs and will open in stages over several years.
Kites and balloons launched from Gaza are again crossing into southern Israel, prompting warnings from Israeli officials to stop the practice and warning of intensified strikes. The issue has drawn statements from Hamas, the UN, and international observers as civilian safety remains at the center of the dispute.
In a wave of statements across multiple outlets, actor Mark Ruffalo has urged lawmakers to block Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, citing Oracle’s ties to Israel. The discourse has drawn responses from Paramount and pro-Israel groups, while Hollywood figures push for editorial independence and job protection.
Uganda has approved troop deployment to the Gaza stabilization force; Burundi is eyeing participation, with talks ongoing. The push involves a planned 20,000-strong multinational operation led by the United States, while the African Union weighs its stance as contributing nations discuss numbers, funding, and guarantees for troops.
Venice has named NAZA, directed by Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, as the festival's sole documentary in competition. The film, shot at night from Tel Aviv rooftops, examines the systems behind Israel’s actions in Gaza, building on reporting from 2023–2025. It joins a field that includes other high-profile works, as the festival runs from September 2–12.
The Altalena ship, a flashpoint in 1948 between Irgun and the new Israeli state, has been rediscovered with ongoing political reverberations. Netanyahu and rival Ben-Gvir are leveraging the find to shape the current election narrative, while historians stress the enduring significance of the 1948 clash.
UN forces have condemned Israel’s raid on the Qalandia Training Centre in East Jerusalem, where UNRWA provides vocational training to around 340 Palestinian students annually. Israel says the site is being repurposed under new laws; UNRWA denies ownership claims and warns of a dangerous breach of international law. The operation follows other closures and defunding pressures against UNRWA.
Iran and Oman have agreed a temporary navigational corridor and a joint mine‑clearance project for the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran says full reopening will remain conditional on US concessions. Separately, intelligence reporting has indicated Russia is considering stepped-up ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv.
President Donald Trump has submitted a 30-year civil nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia to Congress, starting a 90-day review. The deal would allow U.S. firms to export civilian nuclear technology and build AP1000 reactors. The White House says the pact will only move forward if Riyadh normalises relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords.
Journalists and worshippers have been locked inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre overnight, witnessing a rare, shared space among Armenian, Catholic and Greek Orthodox traditions. The experience highlights centuries of custody arrangements and ongoing religious ritual.
Palestinian and Israeli authorities clash with escalating violence in the West Bank. A chorus of US lawmakers is urging Netanyahu to curb settler violence, while settlements expand ahead of elections. The Palestinian Authority reports thousands of attacks by settlers, dozens displaced, and dozens of Palestinians killed since 2019–2023. The debate intensifies as international actors call for restraint and a halt to new settlements.
The White House has renewed its effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook over mortgage‑related allegations. Cook has responded with a formal filing arguing there is no legal basis for her removal; the Supreme Court previously blocked a firing attempt and left room for due process.
A Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court has acquitted a man charged in the April attack on a Catholic nun on the basis of insanity, ordering psychiatric hospitalization for up to six years. The case highlights rising harassment against Christians in Jerusalem’s Old City amid ongoing regional tensions and a broader Iran war dynamic.
Activists supporting Palestinians have faced violence amid a surge in settler aggression in the West Bank. AFP reporters and journalists were targeted as activists worked to defend Palestinian homes and block outpost development around Jannatah near Bethlehem. The group, including members of Bnei Avraham, frames its mission as a humane, religious response to violence, while Israeli authorities continue to dismantle and rebuild outposts.