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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) failed to secure an outright majority for the first time since coming to power a decade ago.
The BJP won 240 seats in the staggered election, 32 short of the halfway mark in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament. In 2019, the BJP alone won 303.
While BJP lost 63 seats in the election, its three main challengers all gained seats: the Indian National Congress (INC) won 99 seats, the Samajwadi Party won 37 seats, and the All India Trinamool Congress won 29 seats.
The BJP lost 63 seats, the Indian National Congress (INC) gained 47 seats, the Samajwadi Party gained 32 seats, and the All India Trinamool Congress gained 7 seats.
Modi’s BJP went into the elections as part of the NDA alliance which secured 293 seats – above the 272 mark needed to form a government
The opposition INDIA alliance, led by the Indian National Congress party secured 223 seats.
The right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party is now dependent on its allies to form the government.
According to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/6/5/india-election-results-live-modi-to-meet-allies-as-rivals-plan-next-move">Al Jazeera</a>, Modi is accused of ramping up rhetoric against Muslims to unprecedented levels during his campaign in a bid to mobilise the Hindu majority.
At his rallies, Modi referred to Muslims as “infiltrators” and claimed the main opposition Congress party would redistribute the nation’s wealth to Muslims if it won.
However, the strategy failed to woo Hindu voters, while also solidifying minority communities’ support for the opposition.
Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, the author of a Modi biography, told the AFP news agency many voters were concerned with India’s chronic unemployment problem rather than its ideological stance. Said Mukhopadhyay:
<blockquote>
People were concerned about livelihood, unemployment, and price rises. They did not relate to what Modi and the BJP were saying.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, Modi has formally submitted his resignation to the president, as part of the protocol following a general election.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP Fails To Win Outright Majority In Parliament

United States President Joe Biden has given Ukraine the green light to use American weapons to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv, reported <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/joe-biden-partially-lifts-ban-on-ukraine-using-us-weapons-in-strikes-on-russian-territory-13145668">Sky News</a>.
Kharkiv is a Ukrainian city close to the border which has been subjected to intense bombing by Russia over the past few weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and others have been increasingly vocal in making the case that the restriction was putting Ukrainian forces in an untenable situation.
Russia made advances in the area as the United States and Western Europe delayed supplying Ukraine with the weaponry it needed to defend itself from Russian aggression.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, is just 20 kilometres (12 miles) from the Russian border.
However, U.S. officials stated that the U.S. policy calling on Ukraine not to use American long-range missiles and other munitions to strike inside Russia offensively has not changed.
Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Biden had barred Ukraine from using American-made weaponry to launch strikes on Russian territory, concerned that the action could be seen as provocative and lead to Moscow widening the war.
Meanwhile, a top Russian official has said Ukraine striking with US weapons inside of Russia could mean war with NATO and warned that Moscow’s nuclear threats are not a bluff.
NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance comprising 30 European states plus the United States and Canada.
NATO adheres to the principle that an attack against one or several of its members is considered an attack against all.
Responding to Biden partially lifting restrictions on how Ukraine can use American-supplied weapons, Dmitry Medvedev issued a series of warnings to the West.
Dmitry Medvedev was President of Russia (2008–2012), Prime Minister of Russia (2012–2020), and is currently deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia since 2020.
Medvedev said “no one can rule out” when tensions with the West will escalate to its “last stage” – and that Moscow will consider any long-range weapons used by Ukraine to strike inside Russia as being controlled by NATO. He said:
<blockquote>
This is no military assistance, this is participation in a war against us. Such actions could well become a casus belli [an act that provokes a war].
</blockquote>
He also said it would be a “fatal mistake” on the part of the West to think that Russia was not ready to use tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
Medvedev warned about the potential to strike unnamed hostile countries with strategic nuclear weapons. He said:
<blockquote>
This is, alas, neither intimidation nor bluffing. The current military conflict with the West is developing according to the worst possible scenario.
There is a constant escalation when it comes to the firepower of NATO weapons being used. Therefore, nobody today can rule out the conflict’s transition to its final stage.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Biden Allows Ukraine To Hit Russian Targets With U.S. Weapons

Donald Trump became the first former US president ever convicted of a crime after a New York jury found him guilty on all 34 counts in his hush-money case on Thursday, May 30.
The jury found Trump guilty on each of the 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide a payment meant to silence porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump (77) faces the possibility of a four-year prison sentence or probation for his crimes and sentencing is set for 11 July.
His conviction comes months before an election that could see him yet return to the White House.
Trump, however, is not barred from running for the presidency
Addressing reporters after the verdict was confirmed, Trump declared his innocence, vowing that the “real verdict” would come from voters. He branded the trial “rigged” and a “disgrace.”
President Joe Biden’s campaign issued a statement saying the trial showed “no one is above the law.”
The statement added that “the threat Trump poses to our democracy has never been greater.”
As reported by <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/donald-trump-convicted-on-all-34-charges-in-hush-money-criminal-trial-5782684">NDTV</a>, Judge Juan Merchan set sentencing for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where Trump is due to receive the party’s formal nomination.
The 12-member jury had deliberated for more than 11 hours over two days before the foreman read out the unanimous decision within a matter of minutes.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election, when her claim to have had sex with him could have derailed his campaign against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
The trial featured lengthy testimony from the adult performer, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
She described to the court in graphic detail what she says was a 2006 sexual encounter with the married Trump.
Prosecutors successfully laid out a charge alleging that the hush money and the illegal covering up of the payment was part of a broader crime to prevent voters from knowing about Trump’s behaviour.
Cohen, who was the key witness, and had turned against his old boss, called the verdict “an important day for accountability and the rule of law.”
Trump has denied any sexual encounter with Stormy Daniels but did not testify in his own defence and lawyers argued that any payments made to the performer were entirely legal.
Trump, who is known for mounting lengthy appeals of court rulings against him, is also likely to appeal the conviction, which could significantly delay his sentencing.
Should Trump win the presidency he will not be able to pardon himself, given that the case was brought not by the federal government but by the state of New York, where only the governor could pardon him.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Donald Trump Becomes First Former U.S. President To Be Convicted Of A Crime

Spain has pledged to provide Ukraine with €1 billion in military aid this year. This comes after Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, met in Madrid on Monday to sign a decade-long defence and security deal.
The precise details of the agreement have not been made public, but Spain said its assistance would “allow Ukraine to prioritise its capacities, including its air defences”.
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/27/spain-to-give-ukraine-1bn-in-military-aid-in-decade-long-defence-deal">The Guardian</a> reported that the bilateral deal was agreed upon two days after a Russian strike in the north-eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv killed 18 people, and as EU leaders grow increasingly exasperated with Hungary’s efforts to block aid to Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference after the signing of the “enormously important” deal, Sánchez said:
<blockquote>
[This deal] will allow Ukraine to boost its capabilities, including its essential air defence systems to protect its civilians, cities and infrastructure, which are still suffering indiscriminate attacks as seen this weekend in Kharkiv.
</blockquote>
He said Spain had already pledged to supply Patriot missiles and said it would also send “another batch of Leopard tanks and above all ammunition”.
The Patriot is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed to intercept high-flying aircraft and later modified to address the threat of tactical ballistic missiles.
The Spanish government said the agreement would also include other areas, such as intelligence, training, de-mining, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance.
Zelenskiy said he had briefed Sánchez on the situation on the frontline and was grateful to Spain for its “tangible and truly life-saving support”.
He, however, said Ukraine still urgently needed another seven US-made Patriot air defence systems to stop Russia from hitting the power grid and civilian areas.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Spain Pledges To Give Ukraine €1 Billion In Military Aid

Forty-five Palestinians, among them women and children, were killed on Sunday after an Israeli airstrike caused a huge blaze at a tented area for displaced people in Rafah.
As reported by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-attack-rafah-tent-camp-draws-global-condemnation-2024-05-27/">Reuters</a>, Palestinian families rushed to hospitals to prepare their dead for burial following the strike late on Sunday night which set tents and rickety metal shelters on fire.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which is trying to eliminate Hamas in Gaza, said it was investigating reports that a strike it carried out against commanders of the Islamist militant group in Rafah had caused the fire.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strike had not been intended to cause civilian casualties.
In a speech in parliament that was interrupted by shouting from opposition lawmakers, Netanyahu said:
<blockquote>
In Rafah, we already evacuated about 1 million non-combatant residents and despite our utmost effort not to harm non-combatants, something unfortunately went tragically wrong.
We are investigating the incident and will reach conclusions because this is our policy.
</blockquote>
Survivors said families were preparing to sleep when the strike hit the Tel Al-Sultan neighbourhood.
Thousands of Palestinians fled to the area after Israeli forces began a ground offensive in the east of Rafah over two weeks ago.
Umm Mohamed Al-Attar, a Palestinian mother in a red headscarf said:
<blockquote>
We were praying… and we were getting our children’s beds ready to sleep. There was nothing unusual, but then we heard a very loud noise, and fire erupted around us.
All the children started screaming… The sound was terrifying; we felt like the metal was about to collapse on us, and shrapnel fell into the rooms.
</blockquote>
Video footage obtained by Reuters showed a fire raging in the darkness and people screaming in panic.
By daylight (Monday), the camp in Rafah was a smoking wreckage of tents, twisted metal and charred belongings. Women wept and men held prayers beside bodies in shrouds.
The health ministry in the Hamas-controlled area said about half of the dead were women, children and older adults.
Mohammed Abuassa, who rushed to the scene in the north-western neighbourhood of Tel al-Sultan, told the Associated Press:
<blockquote>
We pulled out people who were in an unbearable state. We pulled out children who were in pieces. We pulled out young and elderly people. The fire in the camp was unreal.
</blockquote>
The airstrike followed the interception of eight rockets fired towards Israel from the Rafah area in Gaza’s southern tip.
The strike, one of the deadliest single incidents in the eight-month war to date, came two days after the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, ordered Israel to stop its operation in Rafah immediately.
The top UN court also reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
The US, Israel’s closest ally and weapons supplier, urged Israel to take more care to protect civilians but stopped short of calling for a halt to the Rafah incursion. National Security Council spokesperson said:
<blockquote>
Israel has a right to go after Hamas, and we understand this strike killed two senior Hamas terrorists who are responsible for attacks against Israeli civilians. But as we’ve been clear, Israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians.
</blockquote>
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “outraged” over Israel’s latest attacks. He added:
<blockquote>
These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians.
</blockquote>
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the International Court of Justice ruling must be respected.
Canada’s Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said she was “horrified” by the deadly airstrike in Rafah, and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also condemned the Israeli attack and Qatar said the Rafah strike could hamper efforts to mediate a ceasefire and hostage exchange.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive.
Israel launched the offensive after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Israeli Attack On Refugee Camp In Gaza Kills 45 People

United States of America President Joe Biden on Thursday pledged to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally.
As reported by <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/24/major-non-nato-ally-what-does-bidens-new-kenya-pledge-mean">Al Jazeera</a>, this will make Kenya the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to hold the designation.
Addressing a news conference at the White House on Thursday, during Kenyan President William Ruto’s three-day visit to the US, Biden described the decision as “a fulfilment of years of collaboration”. He said:
<blockquote>
Our joint counterterrorism operations have degraded ISIS [ISIL] and al-Shabab across East Africa, our mutual support for Ukraine has rallied the world to stand behind the UN Charter, and our work together on Haiti is helping pave the way to reduce instability and insecurity.
</blockquote>
A Major non-NATO ally (MNNA) is a designation given by the United States government to countries that are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) but that have strategic working relationships with the U.S. Armed Forces.
Although MNNA status does not automatically constitute a mutual defence pact (as would be the case through NATO membership), it does confer a variety of military and financial advantages that are otherwise unobtainable by non-NATO countries.
The designation will allow Kenya to buy military technologies that would be harder for other countries to obtain from Washington.
According to the State Department website, MNNA benefits include the following:
<ul>
<li>MNNAs are eligible for loans of materials and equipment for research, development or testing. 
US-owned War Reserve Stockpiles can be placed on MNNA territory.</li>
<li>MNNAs can be considered for the purchase of depleted uranium ammunition.</li>
<li>The allies can enter a formal agreement with the US Department of Defense to carry out research and development projects. Additionally, firms of the MNNA can bid on contracts to repair and maintain US Defense Department equipment outside of the US.</li>
</ul>
However, the designation would not guarantee new defence agreements or weapon sales between Nairobi and Washington.
The US has currently designated 18 countries as MNNAs. These include Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
In 2022, Biden cancelled Afghanistan’s status as an MNNA, 10 years after the designation was first announced.
During Ruto’s three-day visit, Kenya and the U.S. also decided to establish dialogue on artificial intelligence, collaboratively support Somali “antiterrorism” efforts and push for a ceasefire in Sudan, among several other issues discussed.
According to Al Jazeera, Biden hosted a state dinner for Ruto on Thursday with about 500 guests including former President Bill Clinton and his wife and former presidential nominee, Hillary, as well as former President Barack Obama.
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U.S. President Joe Biden Pledges To Designate Kenya A "Major Non-NATO Ally"

Ireland, Norway and Spain on Wednesday, 22 May announced they will formally recognise a Palestinian state from 28 May, prompting Israel to recall its ambassadors from all three European states.
Spain and Ireland said the decision was not against Israel nor in favour of Hamas, but rather in support of peace, reported <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4nn78r3w3ko">BBC</a>.
Both Hamas and its rival, the Palestinian Authority, have welcomed the recognition of Palestine as a separate state.
However, Israel reacted angrily, warning the move would mean more instability in the region. Tel Aviv promptly recalled its ambassadors to the countries.
Norway was first to make its announcement on Wednesday in a move coordinated with Spain and Ireland.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in an address that the move was “in support of moderate forces that are on a retreating front in a protracted and cruel conflict”.
He added “This is an investment in the only solution that can bring lasting peace in the Middle East”, referring to the so-called “two-state solution” which would see an Israeli and a Palestinian state existing peacefully next to each other. Said Store:
<blockquote>
There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition. The terror has been committed by Hamas and militant groups who are not supporters of a two-state solution and the state of Israel. Palestine has a fundamental right to an independent state.
</blockquote>
The two-state solution framework was formally adopted in the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
It envisions the peaceful coexistence of these two states side by side, with defined borders and mutual recognition.
Speaking on Wednesday, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said:
<blockquote>
Today Ireland, Norway and Spain are announcing that we recognise the state of Palestine, and each of us will undertake whatever national steps are necessary to give effect to that decision.
I am confident that other countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.
</blockquote>
Harris added that the “two-state solution [is] the only credible path to peace and security for Israel, for Palestine and their peoples.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the move was “not against Israel, is not against the Jews”. He said:
<blockquote>
It is not in favour of Hamas which is something that has been said. This recognition is not against anyone, it is in favour of peace and coexistence.
</blockquote>
Responding to the move by the three European countries, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he was ordering the immediate return of the Israeli ambassadors to all three countries for “consultations”. He said:
<blockquote>
Israel will not go over this in silence – there will be other serious consequences.
</blockquote>
Katz also said that the three countries’ ambassadors in Israel will be summoned for “reprimand talks”.
The issue of Palestinian statehood has vexed the international community for several decades.
Most of the world already recognises Palestine as a state. Earlier this month, 143 of the 193 members of the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of Palestine joining the UN.
Before Wednesday’s announcements, only nine European countries supported Palestinian statehood and most of those decided in 1988 when they were part of the Soviet bloc.
Most other European countries, and the United States, still believe recognition should come only as part of a long-term two-state solution to the conflict.
While the decision by Ireland, Norway and Spain to officially recognise Palestine as a separate state doesn’t align with the UK or the US stance on Palestinian statehood, it draws attention to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights the urgency of resolving it.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Ireland, Norway And Spain Recognise Palestine As An Independent State

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has been killed in a helicopter crash, Iranian state media has confirmed.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and the governor of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, were also killed in Sunday’s crash, along with several others.
According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/20/iran-president-ebrahim-raisi-dead-helicopter-crash-mountains-azerbaijan-border-foreign-minister-hossein-amir-abdollahian">The Guardian</a>, the helicopter, one of three travelling in a convoy, crashed in a mountainous area after it got into difficulties in heavy fog in the north of the country.
Raisi was heading to the city of Tabriz, in the north-west of Iran, after returning from a dam opening ceremony on the Azerbaijan border.
Iran’s Mehr news agency also confirmed the deaths, reporting that “all passengers of the helicopter carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister were martyred”.
The incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with Azerbaijan, about 375 miles (600km) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Concerns had been growing for the 63-year-old ultraconservative Raisi after contact was lost with the aircraft on Sunday as it navigated fog-covered mountains in north-west Iran.
In the early hours of Monday, a Turkish drone located a “source of heat suspected to be the wreckage of helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi”, according to Turkey’s state-run news agency Anadolu.
More than 70 rescue teams using search dogs and drones were sent to the site, the Red Crescent said.
The chief of staff of Iran’s army ordered all the resources of the army and the elite Revolutionary Guards to be deployed.
Raisi had been in Azerbaijan early on Sunday to inaugurate a dam with the country’s president, Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third that the two nations have built on the Aras River.
Iran owns several helicopters, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them and most of its military air fleet pre-dates the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Raisi is a hardliner who formerly led the country’s judiciary. He was viewed as a protege of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He won Iran’s 2021 presidential election, for which the turnout was the lowest in the Islamic Republic’s history.
Raisi was under sanctions by the United States in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war.
Under Raisi, Iran has been enriching uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampered international inspections.
Iran has supplied arms to Russia in its war on Ukraine and launched a drone and missile attack on Israel. It continues to arm proxy groups in the Middle East, such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Iran’s Vice President, Mohammad Mokhber, is likely to be appointed as the interim president by Iran’s Supreme Leader, who ultimately has the last say in all matters of state.
An election for a new president is due to take place in the next 50 days.
Mokhber (68) was elected as the first vice president after the 2021 elections that saw Raisi come to power.
He will be a part of a three-person council to organise a new presidential election in the next 50 days.
Mokhber visited Moscow in October 2023 when Iran agreed to supply surface-to-surface missiles and more drones to Russia’s military.
Sky News’ international affairs editor, Dominic Waghorn, described Raisi as the “‘butcher of Tehran”, saying he was one of Iran’s hardest of hardliners, a fanatical and absolute believer in the Iranian revolution and its mission. He said:
<blockquote>
A man who launched the first direct attack on Israel in his country’s history and a hardliner on whose watch hundreds of Iranians have been killed in the brutal repression of recent women-led protests, Mr Raisi had a huge amount of blood on his hands.
His fearsome reputation went back to the 1980s – a period that earned him the dubious soubriquet the Butcher of Tehran.
He sat on the so-called Death Panel of four Islamic judges who sentenced thousands of Iranian prisoners of conscience to their deaths during the purge of 1988.
Mr Raisi was personally involved in two of the darkest periods of Iranian repression. And he was seen as one of the favourite contenders to replace the elderly and ailing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi And Foreign Minister Killed In Helicopter Crash

The Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico is in a stable but serious condition after being shot several times on Wednesday.
Earlier Fico (59), was said to have been fighting for his life after being shot in the small town of Handlova.
Addressing a press conference, Miriam Lapunikova, director of the F. D. Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Fico was admitted, said he was currently in an intensive care unit after five hours in surgery, reported <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-69019121">BBC News</a>.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba told the BBC that Fico’s surgery had gone “well” and “I guess that at the end he will survive”.
Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estoka described the attack as a politically motivated assassination attempt.
Fico is said to be a divisive figure at home and controversial in the EU after he called for an end to military aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.
The gunman, who was detained at the scene of the shooting, was in a small crowd of Fico supporters who were gathered outside a cultural centre in Handlova, where the prime minister had been holding a meeting.
The shooting took Fico’s security officers completely by surprise. Footage shows the prime minister after he was shot being carried by several officers, who bundle him into a car and drive him away from the scene.
The gunman fired five shots at close range and Fico was hit in the stomach and in the arm.
Fico was rushed to the hospital in an air ambulance and spent five hours in surgery, conducted by surgical and trauma teams.
Later on Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister told the BBC’s Newshour programme that Fico was “not in [a] life-threatening situation at this moment”.
He added the Prime Minister was shot “from very close” and that “one bullet went through the stomach and the second one hit the joint”.
Police have not yet identified the alleged suspect but unconfirmed local media reports say he was a 71-year-old writer and political activist.
The shooting came on the day parliament began discussing the government’s proposal to abolish Slovakia’s public broadcaster RTVS.
Thousands of Slovaks have protested against the proposed reform of the public broadcaster in recent weeks.
Interior Minister Estok accused the media of contributing to the climate that led to the Prime Minister’s shooting, adding that he believed “this assassination [attempt] was politically motivated”.
Slovakia’s outgoing President Zuzana Caputova said something “so serious had happened that we can’t even realise it yet”, in response to the news of the attack.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Slovakia PM Robert Fico In Stable But Serious Condition After Assassination Attempt

Slovakia’s populist prime minister, Robert Fico, was on Wednesday afternoon injured in a shooting and airlifted to a hospital. His condition was said to be critical.
According to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-69016687?src_origin=BBCS_BBC">BBC</a>, Fico (59) was shot in the stomach in front of a building in the central Slovak town of Handlova, where a government meeting had been held.
Handlova is around 180km north-east of the capital Bratislava.
He was greeting people in front of a cultural community centre in the central town of Handlova when several shots were fired from a crowd.
Local media reports say Fico was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital before he was later flown to another hospital in Banska Bystrica, east of Handlova, as the transfer to the capital Bratislava would take too long.
President-elect and Fico ally Peter Pellegrini said he was “horrified” to hear that Fico was “the target of an assassination attempt”. He said:
<blockquote>
I am horrified at where hatred for a different political opinion can lead. We don’t have to agree with everything, but there are many ways to express your disagreement democratically and legally.
</blockquote>
The alleged assailant was detained by police, according to local media.
Fico returned to power after elections last year at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition, the Smer-SSD party.
He promised to halt military aid to Ukraine, criticised sanctions targeting Russia and campaigned against LGBTQ+ rights. He, however, denied being pro-Russian.
Fico was forced to step down as prime minister following the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico Shot And Injured In Assassination Attempt

President Volodymyr Zelensky has cancelled all upcoming foreign trips as Ukrainian troops withdraw from several villages in the border region of Kharkiv following an incursion by Russian forces.
As reported by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1030vvy0mzo">BBC</a>, a Ukrainian military spokesman said soldiers had come under heavy fire in two areas of the northeastern region and moved to “more advantageous positions” language Ukraine has typically used to signify a retreat.
Russia has claimed that its forces have now taken control of two more settlements in the region – Lukyantski and Hlyboke – and the village of Robotyne, in the southern Zaporizhzhia region
Robotyne was one of a few settlements Kyiv retook in its summer counter-offensive last year.
A spokesman for the Ukrainian military said the decision to move troops from the Lukyantsi and Vovchansk areas was taken to “preserve the lives of our servicemen and avoid losses”.
The military spokesman also said that the situation “remains difficult” but asserted that Ukrainian forces were “not allowing the Russian occupiers to gain a foothold”.
Thousands of civilians have fled west in recent days towards Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv – including from the town of Vovchansk, located 74km away.
Oleksiy Kharkivskiy, Vovchansk’s police chief, said “The situation is extremely difficult. The enemy is taking positions on the streets of the town of Vovchansk”.
Russian troops made incursions into the Kharkiv region on Friday, and the attack is seen as one of Russia’s most significant ground attacks since it launched its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
On Wednesday, President Zelensky’s office said reinforcements have been sent to the wider Kharkiv region.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an additional US$2 billion in military aid to the Ukrainian war effort while on a visit to Kyiv. He said:
<blockquote>
We’re rushing ammunition, armoured vehicles, missiles, air defences to get them to the front lines.
We’ve been through challenging times together, I have every confidence that together we will get through these difficult moments.
</blockquote>
It comes weeks after the US Congress passed a $61 billion aid package last month.
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Ukraine Troops Pull Back In Kharkiv After Russia Incursion

The Israeli government shut down the local offices of satellite news network Al Jazeera on Sunday, a move described by critics as a “dark day for the media”.
As reported by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/05/israel-shuts-down-local-al-jazeera-offices-in-dark-day-for-the-media">The Guardian</a>, Israeli officials said the move was justified because Al Jazeera was a threat to national security.
Posting on social media after the Cabinet unanimously voted to shut down the channel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “The incitement channel Al Jazeera will be closed in Israel”.
Israel’s communications minister then signed orders to act immediately to close Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel, confiscate broadcast equipment, cut the channel off from cable and satellite companies and block its websites.
The Al Jazeera network, which is funded by Qatar, has been critical of Israel’s military operation in Gaza, where it has reported 24/7 throughout the seven-month war.
Al Jazeera said the accusation that it threatened Israeli security was a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that put its journalists at risk. It said in a statement:
<blockquote>
Al Jazeera Media Network strongly condemns and denounces this criminal act that violates human rights and the basic right to access information.
Al Jazeera affirms its right to continue to provide news and information to its global audiences.
</blockquote>
The network has previously accused the Israeli authorities of deliberately targeting several of its journalists, a charge the latter has denied.
Some of the Al Jazeera journalists who have been killed in Gaza during the conflict are Samer Abu Daqqa and Hamza Al-Dahdouh.
In April this year, Israel’s parliament ratified a law that allows for the temporary closure of foreign broadcasters considered a threat to national security.
The law allows Netanyahu and his security cabinet to shut Al Jazeera’s offices in Israel for 45 days, a period that can be renewed.
This means the suspension could stay in force until the end of July or until the end of major military operations in Gaza.
Al Jazeera’s Arabic-language service not only includes on-the-ground reporting of the war’s casualties but often publishes verbatim video statements from Hamas and other militant groups in the region.
Qatar established Al Jazeera in 1996 to build influence around the Middle East and further afield. Interestingly, several Hamas political leaders are based in Qatar.
Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza to cover the conflict which has claimed the lives of more than 34,000 people, mostly women and children.
Israel invaded Gaza following Hamas attacks into southern Israel on 7 October 2023 in which 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed.
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Israel Shuts Down Local Al Jazeera Offices

Ukraine’s air force claimed it shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber for the first time on Friday. The warplane is capable of carrying long-range missiles used to attack Ukrainian cities, reported <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukraine-says-it-took-down-russian-tu-22m3-strategic-bomber">The Strait Times</a>.
However, the Russian defence ministry said the strategic bomber had crashed in Russia’s southern Stavropol region, hundreds of kilometres from Ukrainian-controlled territory.
It said the crash appeared to have been caused by a technical malfunction as the warplane returned to base after carrying out a combat mission.
It said the bomber had no longer been carrying bombs, adding that the pilots had ejected, but that one of them had died.
Following the Russian statement, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said Kyiv had “destroyed” the warplane. Said Oleshchuk:
<blockquote>
For the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles used by Russian terrorists to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities.
</blockquote>
The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said the warplane had been taking part in a long-range attack on Ukraine.
Russia uses the bomber to fire Kh-22 cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets from inside its airspace.
Various reports say Russian missiles struck cities in the central Dnipro region of Ukraine on Friday, killing eight people, including a 14-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy, and injuring 28.
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Ukraine Claims It Shot Down A Russian Strategic Bomber

Israel has carried out a military strike inside Iran, six days after Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israeli territory last weekend.
According to <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/18/middleeast/isfahan-iran-explosion-intl-hnk/index.html">CNN</a>, a United States official said they were given advance notification Thursday of an intended Israeli strike in the coming days, but did not endorse the response.
Citing Iranian State media, the report says three explosions were heard close to a major military airbase near the Iranian city of Isfahan, prompting the activation of Iran’s air defence systems in several locations.
According to BBC, Isfahan province is home to a large airbase, a major missile production complex and several nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said no nuclear sites were damaged
Iranian officials said air defenses intercepted three drones and there were no reports of a missile attack. Iran has, however, not identified the source of the strike.
Reports of Friday’s strike came hours after Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN that Iran’s response would be “immediate and at a maximum level” if Israel takes any further military action against Iran. He said:
<blockquote>
If the Israeli regime commits the grave error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them.
</blockquote>
He said this warning had been communicated to the White House via the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.
Following the reported Israeli strike inside Iran, various state-aligned news agencies reported that sites associated with Iran’s nuclear program were “completely secure”.
Senior military commander, Second Brigadier General Mihandoust, told the state-aligned Tasnim news agency there was “no damage”, adding that the noises heard overnight were due to air defence systems targeting a “suspicious object.”
The Israeli military said it was unable to provide a comment on Friday when asked by CNN about reports of explosions in Iran.
A senior Iranian official tells Reuters news agency “Iran has no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel,” hours after the attack by Israel.
On Friday morning, an Iranian analyst told Iranian state TV that “Mini drones shot down by air defences in Isfahan were flown by infiltrators from inside Iran”, downplaying the reports that Israel had carried out the attack.
The Middle East has been on edge following Iran’s unprecedented direct strike against Israel late Saturday.
Iran launched more than 300 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel after a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on 1 April, which killed a top commander, and several others.
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Israeli Missile Strikes Inside Iran, US Officials Say

More than 70 people were killed and injured in the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine in a Russian missile strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack could have been prevented if Ukraine had been provided with better air defences by its Western allies.
<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/17/europe/russia-strike-chernihiv-ukraine-air-defense-intl/index.html?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=whatsappCNN&amp;utm_content=2024-04-17T11:42:15">CNN</a> cited Ukraine’s emergency services as saying at least 14 people were killed in the strike and 61 others were injured, including two children. Rescue operations are underway as police search for survivors under the rubble.
Three missiles hit the outskirts of Chernihiv, north of the capital Kyiv, at about 9 AM local time on Wednesday. The strikes caused substantial damage to an eight-story building, a four-story building, a hospital and a higher education institute, according to Ukrainian officials.
Chernihiv police said that among those killed was 25-year-old police lieutenant Alina Mykolayets, who was fatally wounded by shrapnel. She had been at home on sick leave when Russia attacked.
Russia’s strike comes after Zelensky has for months warned that Ukraine lacks the air defences necessary to protect its skies from Russian attacks. He said:
<blockquote>
This would not have happened if Ukraine had received a sufficient number of air defence systems and if the world’s determination to counter Russian terror had been sufficient.
The Ukrainian determination is sufficient. There must be equally sufficient determination from our partners and, as a result, sufficient support.
</blockquote>
In an interview with PBS NewsHour that aired Monday, Zelensky said Ukraine had “run out of missiles” to repel a Russian airstrike that destroyed the biggest power plant in the Kyiv region last week.
Zelensky on Tuesday signed into law a key piece of legislation overhauling the country’s mobilization rules in a bid to bolster Ukraine’s depleted military.
The law requires all men between 18 and 60 to register with Ukraine’s military and to carry their registration documents on them at all times.
Ukraine has been at war with Russia since February 24, 2022, when the latter launched a series of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities followed by the swift movement of Russian ground troops into Ukrainian territory.
Since then, battles have raged, and the human cost of war has been significant. Ukrainian forces recently withdrew from the eastern town of Avdiivka, marking Russia’s most significant victory since the fall of Bakhmut in May of the previous year.
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Russian Missile Strike Kills At Least 14 In Northern Ukraine

The United States of America’s Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday, the first dialogue between the two countries’ defence chiefs since 2022, reported <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/us-china-defense-chiefs-hold-first-call-since-2022-/7572098.html">VOA</a>.
Austin and Chinese Admiral Dong Jun discussed “defence relations” and global security issues from Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine to recent provocations from North Korea, the Pentagon said.
“The Pentagon” is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense, and the phrase is most often used as a metonym for the Department of Defence and its leadership.
According to a Pentagon press release, Austin stressed the importance of “respect for high seas freedom of navigation as guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.”
China has asserted its desire to control access to the South China Sea and bring Taiwan under its control, by force if necessary.
President Joe Biden has said American troops would defend the democratically-run island from attack.
A Chinese defence ministry statement quoted Dong as saying the Taiwan issue is “core of China’s core interests.” He said:
<blockquote>
The U.S. side should recognize China’s firm position, respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take practical actions to safeguard regional peace.
</blockquote>
Dong also said the two countries should work to build mutual trust.
A senior U.S. defence official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of the talks, said:
<blockquote>
These engagements provide us with opportunities to prevent competition from veering into conflict by speaking candidly about our concerns.
That includes the PRC’s behaviour in the South China Sea, as well as the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
</blockquote>
PRC is the acronym for the People’s Republic of China, the country’s official name.
The call was Austin’s first-ever direct exchange with Dong, who has served as China’s minister of national defence since December.
Austin last spoke at length with a PRC counterpart in November 2022, when he met with then-Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe in Cambodia.
China’s previous defence minister, General Li Shangfu, was subjected to U.S. sanctions that China deemed an obstacle to having him communicate directly with Austin.
The only engagement Austin had with General Li was a handshake at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore last year.
The talks come as the Pentagon has claimed that Chinese weapons technology sales to Russia have surged, helping ramp up Moscow’s defence production as it continues to attack its neighbour, Ukraine.
China’s activities in the South China Sea have raised tensions in the region. China used water cannons this month to threaten Filipino fishing ships.
Beijing has also used collision and ramming tactics, undersea barriers and a military-grade laser to stop Philippine resupply and patrol missions.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

US, China Defence Chiefs Hold First Call Since 2022

Israel’s allies have reportedly urged it to avoid any escalation, as it considers a response to Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack over the weekend.
Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel on Sunday, in what it said was retaliation for a strike on its consulate in Syria which killed seven people including two military generals.
Israel says during the assault, Iran tried to attack strategically important infrastructure including the Nevatim air force base – where it keeps its stealth fighter jets – but that it failed to have an impact.
BBC’s Middle East correspondent, Yolande Knell, reported that Israel’s military is said to have presented a range of options to the war cabinet for potential strikes against Iran.
An Israeli source was cited as saying the Israeli government cannot allow such a large attack launched directly from Iran for the first time – to pass without some kind of response.
Some Israeli politicians argue that a powerful message needs to be sent so that Iran doesn’t repeat its actions.
However, key figures in the war cabinet have also been stressing the opportunity to strengthen the “strategic alliance” between Israel and the US, the UK, Jordan and other allies against the threat from Iran.
Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, called for calm, while President Emmanuel Macron said France will do everything possible to avoid a regional conflict.
The UK Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron told the BBC that Iran suffered a “double defeat” after its attack on Israel failed and it showed its true nature to the world.
Russia, a close ally of Iran, also warned that further escalation is “in no one’s interests”, as China’s foreign ministry also called for calm.
UN general secretary Antonio Guterres said the “Middle East is on the brink” and it was time to “defuse and de-escalate”.
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Western Allies Urge Israel To Avoid Escalation After Iran Attack

Iran directly attacked Israel for the first time on Sunday morning, in what is the largest ever drone strike in the world, and its biggest missile attack ever.
As reported by <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/14/true-promise-why-and-how-did-iran-launch-a-historic-attack-on-israel">Al Jazeera</a>, Iran used hundreds of drones and missiles to directly target Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, two weeks ago.
An Israeli air strike flattened the Iranian consulate in Damascus and killed two commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and five other people.
Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in the elite Quds Force of the IRGC and his deputy General Mohammad Hadi Hajriahimi were killed in the Israeli attack.
The two generals were in charge of leading operations in Syria and Lebanon.
Iran’s attack on Israel on Sunday was the single largest drone attack ever carried out by any country, and it was the first time Iran directly attacked Israel.
Operation “True Promise” was mainly aimed at strengthening Iran’s deterrence, which critics said had been compromised after increasingly confrontational policies and military strikes by the United States and its allies across the region, reported Al Jazeera.
The attack, despite briefly shifting the world’s attention from the deaths of tens of thousands of women and children in the Gaza Strip, could translate into soft power gains for Iran in the Muslim world in the long run, when compared with other regional powers.
Iran would also justify its actions at the United Nations Security Council since attacks on diplomatic missions signal a violation of the Vienna Convention.
Furthermore, Article 51 of the UN Charter enshrines the “inherent right” of self-defence, something Israel has been heavily leaning on since the start of the Gaza war.
As of Sunday, Iran had not officially confirmed the exact number of drones or ballistic and cruise missiles it used to attack Israel, but the Israeli military said more than 300 were launched.
As reported by the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/14/how-irans-attack-on-israel-was-stopped">Guardian</a>, Israel’s military said all 170 drones launched from Iran, likely to be from its Shahed family, were shot down before they reached Israeli airspace.
The drones are not much threat, able only to carry a modest bomb of up to 50kg, but they intend to tie up defenders.
Videos of the craft circulated on social media hours before being shot down, gave those responding plenty of time to react.
The drones’ noisy engines suggested they were the slow-flying Shahed-136, which would take six hours to fly from Iran to Israel.
However, some Israeli media reported Iran had launched the faster jet-engined Shahed 238, which travels three times more quickly.
The spokesperson of Isreal’s military, Daniel Hagari, said Iran also launched 30 cruise missiles towards its territory, with IDF jets intercepting 25 “outside the country’s borders”.
The missiles are most probably the newly designed Paveh-351, designed to be manoeuvrable in flight but still take two hours from Iran.
More than 120 high-speed ballistic missiles, capable of flying several times the speed of sound and making the journey from Iran to Israel (about 600 miles at the closest points) in less than 15 minutes, were launched at Israel.
Hagari said that “a few” crossed into Israel’s airspace, some striking at the Nevatim airbase.
Israel’s air defence system’s Arrow 2 and Arrow 3 systems, manufactured in an Israeli-US collaboration, supported by David’s Sling, a medium-range interceptor, were deployed to hit the Iranian ballistic missiles.
The United States said it had knocked out about 70 drones and three missiles. The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, added that the British airforce had intercepted an unspecified number. Jordan, a longstanding US ally, reportedly shot down dozens more drones over its airspace that Iran had launched towards Israel.
Brig Gen Reem Aminoach, a former financial adviser to the IDF chief of staff, told Israel’s Ynet News that an Arrow missile typically costs $3.5m (£2.8m) a time, and David’s Sling interceptors $1m (£800,000).
He estimated that adding up the cost of eliminating 100 ballistic missiles, plus the costs of the whole air defence campaign, is “an order of magnitude of 4 to 5 billion shekels (£850m to £1.1bn)”.
However, the attack was also expensive for Iran, with ballistic missiles generally costing upwards of £80,000.
Following the attack, the Rial, Iran’s falling national currency, dropped to a new all-time low of about 670,000 per US dollar on Sunday before regaining some ground.
Iran’s chief of general staff, Gen Mohammad Bagheri, said on Sunday that the operation was considered a success and further attacks on its part were not necessary.
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Here Is Why And How Iran Attacked Israel

Iran launched an attack on Israel on Saturday night as a response to Israel’s attack on the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria on 1 April. The attack on Israel was anticipated with country on high alert.
According to Israel, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles.
The Israeli military said cruise missiles and drones were mostly intercepted outside Israeli airspace, by both the military itself and also countries supporting Israel, chiefly the USA. Israel is also supported by Britain and France amoung other Western countries.
<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/14/israels-war-on-gaza-live-blasts-sirens-as-iranian-missiles-intercepted?update=2835000">According to Al Jazeera</a>, explosions were heard in cities across Israel and air raid sirens sounded in more than 720 locations as Israeli forces took down the drones and missiles with interceptors.
According to the Israeli military, there was only a “small number of hits”, including at a base in southern Israel, “where minor damage was caused to infrastructure”.
Said Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant:
<blockquote>
“Together with the United States and additional partners, we managed to defend the territory of the State of Israel. Very little damage was caused – this is the result of the IDF’s impressive operations,”
</blockquote>
Said US President Joe Biden:
<blockquote>
“Iran and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. We helped Israel take down nearly all [of them].
</blockquote>
<img alt="President Joe Biden war meeting" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-273539" decoding="async" height="576" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/US-Israel-Iran-attack.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/US-Israel-Iran-attack.jpg 1024w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/US-Israel-Iran-attack-300x169.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/US-Israel-Iran-attack-768x432.jpg 768w" width="1024"/>
Biden cut short a trip to return to the White House following the launch of the missiles and reportedly after speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “tomorrow I will convene my fellow G7 leaders to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack”.
UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a statement strongly condemning the attack by Iran. 
Iran’s mission to the UN has said that considers the matter of Israel’s raid on its embassy in Syria “concluded” and that there will be a “considerably more severe” response “should the Israeli regime make another mistake”.
With the increase in wars and the participants in the wars, globally there are fears of a World War 3.  There are currently 3 major wars in the world: the War in Sudan, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Arab–Israeli conflict, which the attack by Iran is part of.

Iran Launches 300 Missile and Drones on Israel

At least 93 people have been confirmed dead after a horrifying attack at Crocus City Hall in the city of Krasnogorsk, located in the Moscow region. The death toll is expected to rise further as authorities continue their investigations.
Among the victims, children are tragically counted among the casualties. Their lives were cut short in this senseless act of violence.
The Russian foreign ministry has unequivocally condemned the attack, labelling it a “terrorist attack.”
 According to media reports, at least four assailants, clad in camouflage gear, participated in the attack. They struck in the north-west suburb of Krasnogorsk.
Crocus City Hall was on the brink of hosting a rock concert when the gunmen stormed the venue. They first targeted the foyer and then proceeded into the theatre itself.
According to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68642162">BBC</a>, More than 6,000 Russians had flocked to the Crocus City Hall retail and concert complex for a concert by the rock group Picnic.
One witness said the violence erupted minutes before the band were due to come on stage. Picnic’s band members themselves were unharmed.
Shockingly, the gunmen allegedly used a “flammable liquid” to set fire to the concert hall while people were still inside. The resulting inferno engulfed much of the building, and part of the roof collapsed.
An unverified statement online attributed the attack to the militant group Islamic State. 
US officials informed CBS (the BBC’s partner service in the US) that they had obtained intelligence indicating IS’s intention to attack Russia. The White House had previously warned Russia about potential attacks targeting “large gatherings” in Moscow.
A senior Russian intelligence source acknowledged receiving the intelligence but described it as “general nature without any specifics.”
Meanwhile, the American embassy in Moscow had previously cautioned citizens to avoid large gatherings on March 7.
Russian state media reported that suspects linked to the Crocus City Hall shooting were attempting to cross into Ukraine.
Russia’s investigative committee detained four individuals near the border with Ukraine in the Bryansk region.
Despite these developments, Ukraine has vehemently denied any involvement in the attack.
Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Telegram, “Regardless of everything, for Ukraine, everything will be decided on the battlefield”.
Ukrainian military intelligence spokesman Andriy Yusov suggested the attack was a “deliberate act of provocation by Putin’s special services”.
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Gunmen Kill 93 People At A Large Concert Hall In Moscow

Five Zimbabwean mercenaries have been identified as participants in the conflict in Ukraine, according to recent data released by the Russian Defence Ministry. Tragically, one of them has already lost their life on the battlefield.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200024520/zimbo-mercenaries-fighting-in-ukraine">NewsDay</a> reported security sources as saying that the actual number of Zimbabwean mercenaries involved could be higher, possibly reaching up to ten. Three of these mercenaries are believed to be former soldiers from Zimbabwe.
The Russian military operation in Ukraine, which commenced on February 24, 2022, has led to a significant influx of foreign mercenaries.
The total count of these combatants arriving in Ukraine has now reached 13,387. The Russian army claims to have eliminated 5,962 of these mercenaries. It said:
<blockquote>
The Russian Ministry of Defence continues to track and personally record all foreign mercenaries who have arrived in Ukraine to participate in combat action.
</blockquote>
Russia claims 2,960 mercenaries arrived from Poland, 1,113 “soldiers of fortune are from the United States of America, and 1,042 fighters are from Georgia.
Other contributing countries include Canada, the United Kingdom, Romania, France, and Germany.
Among the foreign mercenaries, 249 hail from 14 African countries, and they have been present in Ukraine since the war began two years ago.
Tragically, 103 of these African fighters have lost their lives in the conflict. The countries with the highest representation are Nigeria (97), Algeria (60), and South Africa (35).
Remarkably, Zimbabwe and South Africa are the sole southern African countries with mercenaries actively operating in Ukraine.
Political analyst Pardon Taodzera said the participation of Zimbabwean mercenaries in Ukraine is worrisome since Zimbabwe is known to be pro-Russian. He said:
<blockquote>
The involvement of Zimbabwean mercenaries in the Ukrainian conflict is a concerning development that underscores the complex and multi-faceted nature of modern warfare.
It highlights the ability of conflicts in one region to attract participants from across the globe, illustrating the interconnectedness of global security dynamics.
The emergence of Zimbabwean mercenaries in Ukraine raises questions about the motivations and interests driving their participation.
It suggests that non-State actors, motivated by a variety of factors including financial gain and ideological beliefs, are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping the course of conflicts around the world.
</blockquote>
Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Yevgeny Uspensky, called for action regarding the issue of international mercenaries operating in Ukraine.
He highlighted that the UN Secretariat has been made aware of statistics revealing the involvement of foreign mercenaries in combat on the side of the Kyiv regime.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwean Mercenaries Are Fighting In Ukraine, Claims Russia’s Ministry Of Defence

Vladimir Putin has secured a landslide victory in the recent Russian presidential election, winning more than 87% of the vote. Officials said turnout was greater than 74% in the election.
According to commentators, this outcome was expected, given Putin’s long-standing rule as either president or prime minister since 1999.
His party, United Russia, has also emerged victorious in parliamentary elections, albeit with a slightly smaller share of the vote compared to the previous election.
Putin was faced with three other candidates all rubber-stamped by the Kremlin and no credible opposition candidate was allowed to stand.
Opponents have either been jailed, or they have fled into exile, or they have lost their lives.
His main critic and rival, Alexei Navalny, died on 16 February after reportedly collapsing and losing consciousness at the penal colony north of the Arctic Circle where he was serving a long jail term.
The circumstances surrounding Navalny’s demise have raised international concern. French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné stated that Navalny “paid with his life” for his “resistance to Russian oppression,” emphasizing the grim reality of Putin’s regime.
Communist Party candidate Nikolai Kharitonov managed little more than 4% of the vote and his fellow candidates even less.
Despite allegations of fraud and the exclusion of key opposition candidates, Putin’s popularity remains strong among many Russians who view him as a defender of national pride and a counterbalance to the West.
Western countries united in condemnation, labelling the vote as neither free nor fair. Germany characterized it as a “pseudo-election,” conducted under an authoritarian regime that relies on censorship, repression, and violence. 
Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron explicitly criticized the “illegal holding of elections on Ukrainian territory.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that “the Russian dictator is simulating another election.”
According to Leonid Volkov, an ally of Alexei Navalny, who was brutally attacked with a meat hammer while in exile in Lithuania last week, the percentages attributed to Putin bear no resemblance to reality.
Russians had three days to vote and people in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine had even longer, in an attempt to persuade residents to take part.
Putin hailed Russia’s presidential campaign as far more advanced than the United States of America, citing Russia’s use of online voting, which officials said brought in eight million voters. He said, as quoted by <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68592781">BBC</a>:
<blockquote>
It’s transparent and absolutely objective… not like in the US with mail-in voting… you can buy a vote for $10.
</blockquote>
He is now set to stay in power until at least 2030, and has ruled Russia since 2000 – the longest-serving Kremlin leader since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
For the first time, Putin referred to Alexei Navalny by name, a month after his most vocal critic died in a penal colony inside the Arctic Circle.
He confirmed reports that he had explored exchanging him for prisoners held in the West, but on the condition that his rival never returned.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Putin Wins Russian Presidential Election By A Landslide

Israel has authorised plans for a military offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, despite growing international pressure and warnings from humanitarian groups and world leaders.
Rafah is currently home to 1.4 million people who are caught in the war between Israel and Hamas. Many of the people sought refuge in the city during Israel’s previous ground invasion.
The prospect of an incursion on Rafah has raised concerns among Israel’s allies, including the U.S. and Europe.
President Joe Biden has reaffirmed his opposition to military action in Rafah without a credible plan to protect civilians.
The Israeli military’s proposed approach involves moving civilians to designated “humanitarian islands” elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with civilians facing immense hardships due to the ongoing conflict.
The primary delivery route for aid is over land. More than 15,000 trucks of aid have entered Gaza since October 7, 2023, through two entry points: Rafah (on Gaza’s border with Egypt) and Kerem Shalom (an Israeli crossing).
Several countries, including the US, Jordan, Egypt, France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, have been airdropping aid into Gaza. These airdrops include food, medicine, and other essentials.
The US and Jordan conducted an aid drop on March 3, 2024, providing enough food for over 38 000 meals.
Recently, two initiatives aim to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. The Spanish ship Open Arms arrived off the Gaza coast from Cyprus, towing a barge carrying around 200 tonnes of food provided by the US charity World Central Kitchen (WCK).
An additional 500 tonnes of aid is ready in Cyprus. This shipment includes rice, flour, lentils, beans, canned tuna, beef, and chicken, enough for nearly half a million meals.
The food aid delivered by land, air, and sea has provided essential supplies, but the situation remains precarious as the food is not enough to meet the needs of Gazans.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Israel Plans To Push Palestinians Out Of Rafah Before Anticipated Offensive

On the opening day of the 2024 Russian presidential election, there have been several incidents of vandalism targeting ballot boxes and polling locations.
<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68576817">BBC</a> reported Russian officials as saying dye has been poured into ballot boxes, and there have been additional incidents such as ballot boxes being set alight and fireworks being set off inside polling stations.
These reported acts of sabotage have occurred across Russia, with most incidents reported in Moscow, Voronezh (in south Russia), and the region of Karachay-Cherkessia in the north Caucasus.
In one video circulating on social media, a woman was seen pouring bright green liquid into a ballot box in Moscow.
The use of green dye, known locally as Zelyonka, has been associated with protests in both Russia and Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin is expected to secure another six years in office as he faces no credible opponent. Turnout has reached 23% by late afternoon in Moscow.
Voting is also taking place in occupied areas of Ukraine where an improvised device exploded in front of a polling station in the small town of Skadovsk, without causing injuries.
The deputy chairman of Russia’s Central Election Committee, Nikolay Bulayev, has described the saboteurs as “scumbags” and warned that perpetrators could face up to five years in jail for their actions. 
Some of those detained for filling ballot boxes with liquids reportedly admitted doing so for money.
Tensions remain high, especially following the recent death of Putin’s vocal critic, Alexei Navalny, and calls from his widow, Yulia Navalnaya, for opponents to register their protest at polling stations.
Russians are currently casting their ballots in a three-day presidential election.
The voting began on Friday and will continue through Sunday across Russia’s 11 time zones, including illegally annexed regions of Ukraine and online.
The election takes place against the backdrop of a ruthless crackdown that has stifled independent media and prominent rights groups, giving Putin full control of the political system.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Russians Vote In Three-day Presidential Election

Russia’s prominent opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has died while imprisoned in an Arctic Circle jail, according to the prison service. Navalny, known as President Vladimir Putin’s fiercest critic, was serving a politically motivated 19-year jail term. He had been transferred to one of Russia’s harshest penal colonies in late 2023. The prison service in the Yamalo-Nenets district stated that Navalny fell ill after a walk on Friday, losing consciousness shortly afterwards, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68315943">BBC</a> reported. Despite the immediate response of emergency medical personnel, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Navalny’s cause of death is currently under investigation.
Navalny, aged 47, was seen alive and in good spirits during a court hearing just a day before. His mother, who had visited him in prison on February 12, stated that he was alive, healthy, and happy. She said:
<blockquote>
I don’t want to hear any condolences. We saw him in prison on 12th [February], in a meeting. He was alive, healthy and happy.
</blockquote>
Navalny’s lawyer and close aide have expressed shock and are awaiting further information.
International reactions poured in soon after the prison service announced Navalny’s death. France highlighted his sacrifice in resisting Russian “oppression,” while Norway held Russian authorities accountable for his demise. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, attending a security conference in Munich, called attention to the weakness and corruption within Putin’s system and placed responsibility on Russia for Navalny’s death.

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2021/04/18/putin-critic-navalny-could-die-within-days-doctors/">Putin Critic Navalny Could Die Within Days – Doctors</a></li>
</ul>
Navalny’s return to Russia in January 2021, following a poisoning incident with a Novichok nerve agent, marked a bold move against Putin’s regime. He had been barred from running in the 2018 presidential election and was subsequently arrested upon his return from Germany, where he had received medical treatment. Navalny’s opposition to Putin’s rule began as an anti-corruption campaign. His death follows a pattern of prominent Russian figures who have faced fatal consequences while challenging the Russian president’s authority.
Navalny’s imprisonment was met with concerns about his well-being, although he consistently downplayed them. Despite being moved to different penal colonies, including his final location in the Arctic town of Kharp, Navalny maintained that his conditions were better than before. However, he faced repeated punishments, including solitary confinement, during his time in prison. Human rights activists have criticized the detrimental effects of prolonged isolation on his health.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Putin's Critic And Russian Opposition Leader, Alexei Navalny, Dies In Arctic Prison

The United States Congress has received a bill calling for a comprehensive review of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa. The bill was introduced by US Republican Congressman John James and Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz in response to the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/29/icj-rules-in-favor-of-palestinians-protection-from-genocide-urges-israel-to-comply/">International Court of Justice’s suggestion that Israel</a> may have committed acts of genocide against Gaza, <a href="https://mg.co.za/politics/2024-02-10-breaking-us-congress-introduces-bill-to-review-relations-with-south-africa-following-politically-motivated-icj-case/">M&amp;G</a> reported. If passed, the bill could potentially impact South Africa’s eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, it is important to note that the bill still needs to undergo discussions and gain approval from Congress.

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/29/icj-rules-in-favor-of-palestinians-protection-from-genocide-urges-israel-to-comply/">ICJ Rules In Favour Of Palestinians’ Protection From Genocide; Urges Israel To Comply</a></li>
</ul>
According to the bill, within 30 days of its enactment, US President Joe Biden, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense, would be required to certify to the appropriate congressional committees and publicly release an unclassified determination specifically stating whether South Africa has engaged in activities that undermine US national security or foreign policy interests. Additionally, the bill mandates that an unclassified report justifying this determination must be provided to the relevant congressional committees.
The bill accuses the African National Congress (ANC) of acting contrary to its publicly declared policy of nonalignment in international affairs. It alleges that the South African government has a history of aligning itself with malign actors such as Hamas and the Russian Federation. The bill argues that the ANC’s support for Hamas dates back to 1994, when the party first came into power and consistently accused Israel of practicing apartheid. The bill stated:
<blockquote>
On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a politically motivated suit in the International Court of Justice wrongfully accusing Israel of committing genocide. The South African Government has pursued increasingly close relations with the Russian Federation, which has been accused of perpetrating war crimes in Ukraine and indiscriminately undermines human rights. South Africa’s robust relationship with Russia spans the military and political space, including allowing a United States-sanctioned Russian cargo ship, the Lady R, to dock and transfer arms at a South African naval base in December 2022.
</blockquote>
The bill highlights instances of alleged anti-Semitic remarks made by South African government officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor. It also raises concerns about South Africa’s relationships with Russia and China, citing allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine and human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang province.
Furthermore, the bill criticizes the ANC-led South African government for mismanaging state resources and failing to effectively deliver public services, which it claims pose a threat to both the South African people and the country’s economy. It points to issues such as the energy crisis, corruption, insufficient capacity in Transnet, cholera outbreaks, and the failure to provide clean water to households.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

US Congress Considering Reviewing US-South Africa Relationship After Accusing Israel Of Genocide

The United States has imposed sanctions on several Israeli settlers for attacking Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, reported <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/1/us-imposes-sanctions-on-four-israeli-settlers-over-west-bank">Al Jazeera</a>.
The sanctions target David Chai Chasdai, Einan Tanjil and Yinon Levi, who are accused of undermining stability and security in Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The individuals allegedly assaulted and intimidated Palestinians. Another sanctioned Israeli, Shalom Zickerman, is accused of assaulting Israeli activists.
The sanctions, which were announced on Thursday, 01 February, will freeze the individuals’ assets in the US and restrict financial dealings with them.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday:
<blockquote>
There are no plans to target with sanctions Israeli government officials at this time.
</blockquote>
Kirby said the US informed the Israeli government before announcing the sanctions.
The White House also announced a new decree to penalise perpetrators of “extremist settler violence” in the West Bank.
In a statement, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that settler violence,
<blockquote>
… poses a grave threat to peace, security, and stability in the West Bank, Israel, and the Middle East region, and threatens the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States.
</blockquote>
The announcement on Thursday came amid increasing pressure on President Joe Biden over his unwavering support for Israel’s war on Gaza ahead of presidential elections set for November.
The executive order coincided with Biden’s visit on Thursday to Michigan, a Midwestern swing state that is home to a large Arab American community.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu differed with the Americans, saying the overwhelming majority of West Bank settlers are “law-abiding citizens”. He said in a statement:
<blockquote>
Israel acts against all Israelis who break the law, everywhere; therefore, exceptional measures are unnecessary.
</blockquote>
The West Bank is the largest of the two Palestinian territories and home to some three million Palestinians, administered by the Palestinian Authority.
The other Palestinian territory is the Gaza Strip which is administered by Hamas, a group considered a terrorist organisation by Western countries such as the United States.
The Gaza Strip is currently being bombarded by the Israeli army after Hamas fighters broke into Isreal on 07 October and killed more 1 200 people, most of them civilians, and took scores as hostages.
Hamas (Palestine), Hezbollah (Lebanon) and Houthis (Yemen) are among several armed groups funded by Iran.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

United States Imposes Sanctions On Four Israelis

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling on Friday affirming the right of Palestinians to be protected from acts of genocide. In their decision, a panel of 17 judges, called upon Israel to take all necessary measures to prevent any actions that could violate the 1948 Genocide Convention, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/what-has-the-icj-ordered-israel-to-do-on-gaza-war-and-whats-next">Al Jazeera</a> reported. The court also urged Israel to allow the entry of vital humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave, expressing deep concern over the ongoing loss of life and suffering in Gaza.
The provisional ruling did not explicitly demand an immediate cessation of Israel’s military operation but ordered Israel to prevent and punish any public incitement to commit genocide, while also urging Hamas to release any remaining hostages it may be holding. Israel was further instructed to preserve evidence related to allegations of genocide and provide a report on its compliance with these measures within one month.
Dissenting votes came from Judge Sebutinde of Uganda and the Israeli representative, Judge Barak.
<h3>The Case:</h3>
<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/12/30/israel-denies-south-africas-claims-that-its-committing-crimes-of-genocide-against-palestinians/">South Africa filed a case against Israel</a> at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in December 2023, accusing it of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza after nearly three months of relentless Israeli bombardment had killed more than 21,500 people and caused widespread destruction in the besieged enclave. In an application to the court, South Africa described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.
South Africa’s 84-page lawsuit, filed on December 29, 2023, accused Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention in the war on Gaza that began on October 7, 2023. South Africa asked the court to order Israel to:
<ul>
<li>Suspend military operations in and against Gaza (not addressed in the court’s provisional measures)</li>
<li>Not escalate military operations any further (not addressed in the court’s provisional measures)</li>
<li>Allow access to adequate food, water, fuel, shelter, hygiene and sanitation.</li>
<li>Prevent the destruction of Palestinian life in Gaza, including psychological damage</li>
<li>Not destroy evidence that would support genocide allegations, nor deny international organisations such as fact-finding missions, access to Gaza to help preserve this evidence.</li>
<li>Abide by the rules of the Genocide Convention.</li>
<li>Take steps to punish those who have been involved in genocide (not included in the court’s provisional measures).</li>
<li>Avoid actions that would complicate or prolong the case (not included in the court’s provisional measures).</li>
<li>Regularly report to the council on their progress toward implementing the measures.</li>
</ul>
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing since October 2023, resulting in the deaths of more than 21,000 people, with the majority of casualties being civilians. Israel has been accused of targeting schools, hospitals, and mosques, claiming that they are being used as bases by Hamas. This relentless bombardment has caused mass civilian casualties and led to a dire humanitarian situation in the region.
<h3>What Now?</h3>
As members of the United Nations, both South Africa and Israel are bound by the court’s rulings and cannot appeal a decision. However, the ICJ itself does not have any mechanism to enforce its orders.  
Commenting on the ICJ ruling, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised that despite being a temporary decision, the ruling is binding, and all parties should comply. While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself and bring perpetrators to justice, the court highlighted that punishing the entire Palestinian population is not justified. The ICJ issued provisional measures to protect Palestinian rights, considering the imminent risk of irreparable harm.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

ICJ Rules In Favour Of Palestinians' Protection From Genocide; Urges Israel To Comply

William Lai Ching-te from the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has won Taiwan’s presidential election despite warnings from China not to vote for him.
China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, said the DPP does not represent the mainstream public opinion on the island after Lai was named the winner of Saturday’s vote.
China declared that the electoral outcome “will not impede the inevitable trend of China’s reunification”.
Lai, the current vice president, was in a three-way race with Hou Yu-ih from the conservative Kuomintang (KMT) and former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je from the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP).
According to <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/13/taiwan-ruling-partys-lai-wins-presidential-election">Al Jazeera</a>, with votes from all polling stations counted on Saturday, the Central Election Commission said Lai won 40.1 per cent, ahead of Hou’s 33.5 per cent.
Both Hou and Ko conceded defeat. Hou congratulated Lai on his victory. He also apologised to KMT supporters for not being able to remove the DPP.
Lai thanked voters for electing him and commended his rivals for conceding defeat. He said:
<blockquote>
I want to thank the Taiwanese people for writing a new chapter in our democracy. We are telling the international community that between democracy and authoritarianism, we will stand on the side of democracy.
</blockquote>
He added that he hoped for a return to “healthy and orderly” exchanges with China.
Meanwhile, responding to Lai’s win, Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua said that “Taiwan is China’s Taiwan”. Said Chen:
<blockquote>
Our stance on resolving the Taiwan question and realising national “reunification” remains consistent, and our determination is as firm as a rock.
</blockquote>
Chen warned against separatist activities aimed at “Taiwan independence” as well as “foreign interference”.
Taiwan has been self-governing since the 1940s, but China still claims the island and its outlying territories and has not ruled out the use of force to achieve its ambitions.
In the run-up to the polls, China denounced Lai as a dangerous separatist. China warned that Lai would be a threat to peace in the region if he won, and called the elections a choice between “peace and war”.
Lai has maintained that he is committed to peace and open to conditional engagement with Beijing.
But he also promised “to safeguard Taiwan from continuing threat and intimidation from China”.
The DPP has been in power for the past eight years under President Tsai.
About 19.5 million people aged 20 and over were eligible to vote on Saturday to elect a president and MPs for Taiwan’s 113-seat legislature.
When asked for a reaction to Saturday’s elections, US President Joe Biden replied that Washington does not support the independence of Taiwan.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Taiwan Ruling Party’s Lai Wins Presidential Election Despite China's Threats

Israel has denied the allegations made by South Africa at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it has violated the United Nations Genocide Convention in its assault against Hamas in Gaza. 
South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing it of crimes of genocide against Palestinians in Gaza after nearly three months of relentless Israeli bombardment has killed more than 21,500 people and caused widespread destruction in the besieged enclave. In an application to the court on Friday, South Africa described Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocidal in character because they are intended to bring about the destruction of a substantial part of the Palestinian national, racial and ethnical group”.
The conflict in Gaza has been ongoing for nearly three months, resulting in the deaths of more than 21,000 people, with the majority of casualties being civilians. Israel has been accused of targeting schools, hospitals, and mosques, claiming that they are being used as bases by Hamas. This relentless bombardment has caused mass civilian casualties and led to a dire humanitarian situation in the region.
The United Nations Secretary-General has expressed concern about the spillover of the conflict. There have been reports of international crimes, such as crimes against humanity and war crimes, being committed in Gaza. The situation has sparked global calls for a ceasefire and an end to the violence.
The conflict has not only affected Gaza but also has had repercussions in the occupied West Bank. Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian motorist who allegedly carried out a car ramming attack, further escalating tensions in the region. 
Moreso, the situation in the Middle East has become increasingly volatile, with cross-border fire between Israeli forces and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah. In addition, Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targeted vessels in the Red Sea shipping lane in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The international community has expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and the high number of civilian casualties. Calls for a peaceful resolution to the conflict have intensified, with many urging both sides to engage in dialogue and work towards a ceasefire.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>