insert_link World UN Begs for Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine as War Hits Two-Year Mark A Ukrainian rescuing a cat amid fatal missile attacks by Russia, Jan. 2, 2024. The United Nations launched a humanitarian appeal of $4.2 billion for Ukrainians inside and outside the country for the year. “But we beg today,” said Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian relief chief, “please don’t walk away from Ukraine.” DEFENSE OF UKRAINE/LIBEROV By Michelle Langrand via PassBlue The United Nations launched an appeal on Jan. 15 for […] todayJanuary 18, 2024 14
insert_link Uncategorized Russia says sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian POWs Russia said Monday it has sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war to lengthy sentences, with some getting life in prison, almost two years into the Kremlin's offensive. Russia holds an unknown number -- believed to be in the thousands -- of Ukrainian captive soldiers, many of whom were taken during the siege of the port city of Mariupol in 2022. Kyiv and international rights groups have denounced Moscow's […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 2
insert_link Opinion Pieces More than 4 billion people are eligible to vote in an election in 2024. Is this democracy’s biggest test? Shutterstock Nicholas Reece, The University of Melbourne 2024 is going to be democracy’s biggest year ever. In a remarkable milestone in human history, over four billion people – more than half of the world’s population across more than 40 countries – will go to the polls. National elections will be held in the United States, India, Indonesia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Mexico, and South Africa to name […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 7
insert_link World UN wants $4.2 billion for Ukraine aid in 2024 By Robin MILLARD Geneva, Jan 15, 2024 (AFP) - The United Nations said Monday it will need $4.2 billion to provide humanitarian aid in Ukraine in 2024, and to help millions of refugees who have fled the war-torn country. While the Gaza war has dominated headlines in recent months, Russia's war in Ukraine is set to enter its third year in February. The UN hopes to reach 8.5 million […] todayJanuary 15, 2024 4
insert_link World Russia detains far-left leader for ‘justifying’ terror Russian police on Thursday detained the leader of a far-left opposition group and a vocal opponent of the Kremlin's domestic policies for allegedly "justifying terrorism," his lawyer said. Sergei Udaltsov, 46, supports Moscow's offensive in Ukraine but the leader of the "Left Front" group has been a prominent government critic and has been jailed for organising rallies against Russian President Vladimir Putin. His home was raided earlier Thursday and he […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 15
insert_link Africa Scramble for the Sahel – why France, Russia, China and the United States are interested in the region By Olayinka Ajala, Leeds Beckett University The Sahel, a region 3,860km wide located south of the Sahara Desert and stretching east-west across the African continent, has been a focus of attention around the world recently. In the last decade, issues such as terrorism, insecurity and trafficking have characterised the region. Military takeovers have been a major source of concern in the region and beyond in the last few years. […] todayJanuary 9, 2024 3
insert_link Africa Ukraine prepares to ship grain to Nigeria Ukraine is preparing to ship 25,000 tons of grain to Nigeria. It is part of the Black Sea grain deal, an initiative set up last year to lessen a global food crisis due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Tesem Akende reports from Jos. todayDecember 20, 2023 19
insert_link Opinion Pieces ‘Politically neutral’ Russian athletes can now enter the Olympics – but don’t expect many to compete By Keith Rathbone, Macquarie University Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Russian and Belarussian athletes will be able to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics if they are politically neutral. The decision from the committee’s executive board reversed an earlier ban. The IOC made this change even though the Russian National Olympic Committee remains suspended from competition for its violation of “the territorial integrity of the […] todayDecember 20, 2023 9
insert_link World US “deeply concerned” by Kremlin critic Navalny’s disappearance The United States says it is "deeply concerned" following the news that jailed Russian opposition figure Alexi Navalny has gone missing. His lawyers say they have lost contact with Navalny and don't know where he is currently being held. Nick Harper reports from Washington. todayDecember 12, 2023 3