World Affairs
- TIME
Putin’s enemies are struggling to unite
informed Summary
- Many Ukrainians blame not only Russian President Vladimir Putin for the war in Ukraine, but also the Russian public due to the weakness of the country'a anti-war movement and Putin's high approval rating.
World Affairs8 min read - NPR
Why protesters in Georgia are opposed to a 'foreign agents' law and why it matters
informed Summary
- Tens of thousands of protesters in Georgia are opposing a controversial "foreign agents" bill set to be passed by the country's parliament. The bill would require NGOs and media companies that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as "pursuing the interests of a foreign power" and provide financial statements about their activities.
World Affairs4 min read - El Pais
Gaza war pushes US-Israel relations to ‘unprecedented low point’
informed Summary
- The relationship between the U.S. and Israel has become strained due to the conflict in Gaza, with Joe Biden threatening to pause weapons shipments to Israel if it invades Rafah.
World Affairs6 min read - CNN
The rest of the world wants the Ukraine war to go away. Putin has other ideas
informed Summary
- The language used by the Ukrainian military in their daily updates has changed significantly over the past 72 hours, reflecting the worsening situation in the country. Russia is advancing in four different areas across the frontline, with the most troubling being the northern border near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city.
World Affairs3 min read - DW
Did China's Xi Jinping expose disunity in Europe?
informed Summary
- Chinese President Xi Jinping completed his European tour on Friday after he visited three countries that have "special bilateral relationships" with Beijing: France, Serbia and Hungary. . He visited
World Affairs5 min read - AP News
Israel pushes deeper into Rafah and battles a regrouping Hamas in northern Gaza
informed Summary
- Israeli forces have pushed deeper into Gaza's southern city of Rafah, battling Hamas in areas previously cleared by the military. Rafah is considered Hamas' last stronghold and the last refuge for more than a million civilians in Gaza.
World Affairs5 min read - El Pais
The risky task of investigating corruption in wartime Ukraine
informed Summary
- Ilia Vitiuk, the former head of cybersecurity at the Security Services of Ukraine, was dismissed from his post after a journalist revealed alleged irregular real estate operations within Vitiuk’s family. The journalist was harassed by two soldiers and an SSU agent during his investigation.
World Affairs4 min read - Vox
Israel’s other war
informed Summary
- The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah -- a Lebanon-based military group -- has resulted in at least 4,400 combined strikes from both sides in the first six months, according to the U.S.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. This has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 250 Hezbollah members, 75 Lebanese civilians and 20 Israelis, and has displaced more than 150,000 people.
World Affairs9 min read - Arab News
Solar storm puts on brilliant light show across the globe, but no serious problems reported
informed Summary
- A powerful solar storm caused a spectacular display of the Northern Lights across the globe, but also caused minor disruptions to the electric power grid, communications, and satellite positioning systems.
World Affairs3 min read - TIME
What Xi Jinping really thinks
informed Summary
- Xi Jinping's vision for China is based on the concept of "One Country, One People, One Ideology, One Party, and One Leader". This involves every Chinese person submitting to the greater good of China (as interpreted by the Party), and the use of technology to ensure ideological indoctrination.
World Affairs6 min read - CNN
Israeli whistleblowers detail horror of shadowy detention facility for Palestinians
informed Summary
- Three Israeli whistleblowers have revealed allegations of abuse at the Sde Teiman desert camp in Israel, which holds Palestinians detained during Israel's invasion of Gaza. They describe a facility where prisoners are subjected to extreme physical restraint; medical procedures are sometimes performed by underqualified medics; and injuries from constant handcuffing sometimes result in amputations.
World Affairs13 min read - CNBC
Amid pomp and propaganda, Russia holds Victory Day military parade as war rumbles on
informed Summary
- Russia celebrated its 79th "Victory Day" military parade on May 9, commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. The event also served as a show of military might and patriotism amid the conflict with Ukraine.
World Affairs4 min read - TIME
Biden said Rafah was a 'red line.' Now what?
informed Summary
- President Biden has confirmed that the U.S. has paused a shipment of bombs to Israel due to concerns that the weapons could be used in Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city. He also threatened to withhold further arms supplies if a major ground invasion of the city goes ahead.
World Affairs3 min read - Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Europe and the Russian threat: What is Putin planning next?
informed Summary
- Russia's victory over Ukraine is seen as inevitable by some, with the country's military growing by 15% since the beginning of the attack on Ukraine. Its arms industry is now able to produce at least 3 million artillery shells and rockets per year.
World Affairs9 min read - CNN
Japan now has 9 million vacant homes. And that’s a problem
informed Summary
- Japan is grappling with a record high of nine million vacant houses, known as "akiya", due to its declining population. The issue isn't limited to rural areas, with more akiya appearing in major cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto.
World Affairs4 min read - The Verge
The US is propping up gas while the world moves to renewable energy
informed Summary
- The annual global electricity review by energy think tank Ember suggests that the amount of electricity and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants probably peaked in 2023. This indicates that countries will likely never generate as much electricity from fossil fuels again.
World Affairs3 min read - DW
Israel's Rafah assault leaves Gazans stranded
informed Summary
- Israel has launched attacks on eastern Rafah and taken control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, following a failed cease-fire deal proposed by Egypt and Qatar. Israeli officials said that the proposal didn't meet their demands and that they will continue operations in Rafah.
World Affairs4 min read - AP News
Hamas accepts a Gaza cease-fire proposal, but Israel hasn't commented
informed Summary
- The Israeli army has ordered Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah in southern Gaza, indicating a potential ground invasion. The evacuees were directed to move to Muwasi, a humanitarian area declared by Israel near the coast.
World Affairs6 min read - CNN
China’s Xi is visiting Europe for the first time in five years – his goodwill tour will be an uphill struggle
informed Summary
- Chinese President Xi Jinping's six-day European tour comes at a time when views on China across the continent are shifting dramatically. The European Union has launched trade probes into China's wind turbines and medical equipment procurement, and Germany and the U.K. have arrested or charged at least six people for alleged espionage linked to China.
World Affairs6 min read - TIME
Pro-Palestinian protests spark on colleges across the globe
informed Summary
- Student-led protests in support of Palestine are taking place around the world. These demonstrations have been held in countries including Australia, Mexico, the U.K., Canada and Lebanon.
World Affairs5 min read
