New World News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu

1/9/2025: The United States House passed a bill sanctioning anyone who assists the ICC

Background

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on November 21, 2024, for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges include alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict, such as using starvation as a method of warfare and blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza. These actions are said to have caused severe harm to civilians, violating international law.

Israel's Response

Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected the ICC's authority and legitimacy, stating that Israel will appeal the decision. The Israeli government has formally requested the ICC to suspend the warrants while the appeal is processed.

International Reactions

United States: The Biden administration criticized the ICC's decision, with bipartisan calls for sanctions against the court.
European Union: EU countries are divided. France and Italy have questioned the feasibility of enforcing the warrants due to immunity claims, while others emphasize support for the ICC's independence.
South Africa and Namibia: Both countries welcomed the ICC's decision, highlighting it as a step toward justice for Palestinians.

Implications

The warrants could significantly restrict Netanyahu's international travel to ICC member states, as these nations are obligated to enforce the arrest. However, Israel is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, complicating enforcement.

Gaza Crisis

Total Death Toll: 45,854 Palestinians, 1,200 Israelis

Deaths in the last 24 hours: 48 Palestinians
75 injured in the last 24 hours

100 hostages estimated remaining, with a third believed deceased
1/2/2025:43 dead in Israeli Airstrikes

11 were in a tent encampment for displaced families in the Al-Mawasi district designed as a humanitarian zone for civilians

Director General of Gaza's Police Department, Mahmoud Salah and his aide, Hussam Shahwan among the victims.
Israel said Shahwan was head of Hamas security forces in Southern Gaza

6 in the Interior Ministry Headquarters in Khan Yunis
Jabalia
Shati
Maghazi

4 killed on Jala Street in Gaza City
Islamic Jihad fired rockets into Holit kibbutz, Israel intercepting one
12/28/24: The Israel army kidnapped Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital after beating him. They then set the hospital on fire with staff and patients inside. 240 Palestinians were kidnapped by Israel, 15 of whom were identified by Israel as participants in the October 7th, attack. 20 Palestinians killed.
Unit 504 directed the apprehension process

Key Facts:

The death toll includes at least 17,000 children.
Over 109,139 Palestinians have been injured since October 7, 2023.
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) estimates that there are approximately 11,000 Palestinians missing and presumed dead
an estimated 6% population decrease in the past 15 months.
Most of the deaths are civilians
Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel's actions in Gaza constitute genocide.

Trudeau Resigns as Liberal Party Leader

Online Harms Act (Bill C-63)

Recent Developments:

December 20, 2024: The bill is currently under review by a parliamentary committee.
December 15, 2024: Bill C-63, the Online Harms Act, passed its second reading in the House of Commons.
The Act aims to tackle harmful online content including hate speech and child exploitation.
It proposes the establishment of a Digital Safety Commission to oversee compliance.

Key Provisions:

Mandatory age verification for users under 18.
Increased penalties for platforms that fail to remove harmful content within specified time frames.
Enhanced protections for whistleblowers reporting violations within tech companies.

The bill is expected to be debated further in early January 2025.

Syrian President Assad Ousted by Opposition Fighters

Maaloula displacing Christians
Nuclear Bomb tested in Tartus, Syria
December 27, 2024: The U.S. military conducted airstrikes on 83 ISIS positions in eastern Syria, supporting ground operations by Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
December 25, 2024: Israel announced plans to establish a 10-kilometer "security zone" along its border with Syria.
December 22, 2024: Former President Bashar al-Assad was granted asylum in Belarus, not Russia as initially thought. His current whereabouts and safety status remain unconfirmed.
December 20, 2024: The Syrian National Coalition announced the formation of an interim government.
December 18, 2024: Opposition forces seized control of the presidential palace and state television headquarters.
On December 15, 2024, the Syrian government fell, ending the Assad family's 54-year rule. A coalition of opposition forces, led by the Syrian National Army and supported by Turkish-backed militias, captured Damascus. The rebel offensive, dubbed "Operation Dawn of Freedom," surprise attacked key military installations around the capital.

Yemen-Israel Conflict

Recent Developments:

December 27, 2024: Houthi rebels claimed new attacks against Israel, including a missile fired at Ben Gurion Airport and drones launched at Tel Aviv.
Israel's military reported intercepting a missile launched from Yemen before it crossed into Israeli territory.
December 26, 2024: Israel launched airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport and other targets in Yemen, killing at least three people.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was at the airport during the strike, and a UN plane crew member was injured.

International Reactions:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would "continue until the job is done" in cutting off "this branch of terrorism from the Iranian axis of evil."
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation and called the Sanaa airport strikes "especially alarming."
Iran's foreign ministry condemned Israel's strikes as a "clear violation of international peace and security."

Jay-Z Named in Lawsuit Alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Rapper Jay-Z has been added as a defendant in a civil lawsuit originally filed against Sean 'Diddy' Combs in October 2024.

A federal judge has ruled on the anonymity of the accuser in the civil lawsuit against rappers Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs, alleging sexual assault of a minor in 2000.