Author: CNN

Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike in central Gaza on March 15. Abdel Karim Hanna/AFPThe United States expressed cautious optimism about the latest round of ceasefire talks in Doha, Qatar, and the agreement proposed by Hamas, although the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office described it as “unrealistic.”The latest proposal put forward by Hamas is “certainly within the limits – in broad strokes – within the limits of the deal that we have been working on now for several months. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters: “I don’t want to go into more detail than that.”National Security Council spokesman…

Thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Thursday to protest the exemption of ultra-Orthodox Jews from mandatory military service.Religious Israelis have long held a privileged position in that society. Their religious schools, or seminaries, receive generous government subsidies. However, Haredi youth, as they are known in Hebrew, are practically exempt from compulsory military service.In 1998, Israel’s Supreme Court overturned the long-standing exemption, telling the government that allowing Haredim out of compulsory conscription violated equal protection principles. In the decades that followed, successive governments and parliaments attempted to resolve the issue, but were repeatedly told by courts…

CNN  —  Here’s a look at the life of Theresa May, former prime minister of the United Kingdom. Birth date: October 1, 1956 Birth place: Eastbourne, England Birth name: Theresa Mary Brasier Father: Hubert Brasier, Anglican vicar Mother: Zaidee (Barnes) Brasier Marriage: Philip May (1980-present) Education: St. Hugh’s College, University of Oxford, Geography, 1974-1977 Religion: Anglican Has Type 1 diabetes. Was the first female chairman of the Conservative Party. Was introduced to her husband in 1976 at an Oxford Conservative Association dance by Benazir Bhutto, who later became the prime minister of Pakistan. Lost both of her parents in her…

CNN  —  Here’s a look at the 2008 military conflict between Russia and Georgia. The conflict centered on South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two “breakaway provinces” in Georgia. They are officially part of Georgia, but have separate governments unrecognized by most countries. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are supported by Russia. During the five-day conflict, 170 servicemen, 14 policemen, and 228 civilians from Georgia were killed and 1,747 wounded. Sixty-seven Russian servicemen were killed and 283 were wounded, and 365 South Ossetian servicemen and civilians (combined) were killed, according to an official EU fact-finding report about the conflict. 1918-1921- Georgia is briefly…

Hassan Nasrallah speaks via video link during an event held in Lebanon, Beirut on February 13. Marwan Naamani/Image Alliance/Getty ImagesHezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to continue the fight against Israel, claiming that the Israeli army is being secretive about its losses in the north.”[Our southern front] Nasrallah said in a televised statement on Wednesday evening, local time: “Israel continues to carry out its mission to put pressure on the enemy humanely, materially, militarily and economically.”Fighting has continued since October 7 on Lebanon’s southern border with Israel between the Iranian-backed Lebanese armed group and the Israeli army. As a result,…

CNN  —  Here’s a look at the life of Sir John Major, former prime minister of the United Kingdom. Birth date: March 29, 1943 Birth place: Carshalton, Surrey Birth name: John Major Father: Abraham Thomas Ball, stage name – Tom Major, performer Mother: Gwen (Coates) Major, dancer Marriage: Norma (Johnson) Major (1970-present) Children: James and Elizabeth Left school at age 16. Worked at a bank prior to entering politics. Was appointed financial guardian of Prince William and Prince Harry after Princess Diana’s death. 1968-1971 – Member of the Lambeth Borough Council. 1974 – Unsuccessfully runs for a seat in Parliament.…

12-year-old Palestinian child shot and killed by Israeli border police at refugee camp in east Jerusalem. Obtained by CNNAn Israeli border police officer fatally shot a 12-year-old Palestinian boy in Shuafat refugee camp located in occupied east Jerusalem, according to hospital officials and an Israeli police spokesperson.In a video obtained by CNN, the boy – Rami Al Halhouli – can be seen holding a lit firework above his head before the crackling sound of a single gunshot is heard. The boy falls to the ground just as the firework launches from his hand into the sky.Rami arrived at Hadassah Mount…

CNN  —  Here is some background information about the trials and execution of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Hussein was charged with premeditated murder, imprisonment and the deprivation of physical movement, forced deportation and torture. Seven other defendants stood trial with Hussein: Barzan Hassan, Taha Yassin Ramadan, Awad al-Bandar, Abdullah Ruwaid, Ali Dayem Ali, Mohammed Azzawi Ali and Mizher Ruwaid. July 8, 1982 – Residents of the Shiite Muslim town of Dujail, Iraq, fire on Hussein’s motorcade. In retaliation, about 150 residents are executed. March 19, 2003 – The second Gulf War begins, code named Operation Iraqi Freedom. December 14,…

Famine is imminent in northern Gaza if the amount of aid for the enclave does not increase rapidly, the head of the UN World Food Program said Monday. Source link

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a conference in Jerusalem on February 18. Ronen Zvulun/ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his policies in the Gaza Strip after US President Joe Biden said the Israeli leader was “harming Israel more than helping it.”He added: “I do not know exactly what the president meant, but if he meant by that that I am pursuing special policies against the desire of the majority of Israelis, and that this harms Israel’s interests, then he is wrong in both cases.” Netanyahu said in an interview with Politico newspaper and German media outlet Bild. Biden…