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Heavy fighting in Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US military support

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Heavy fighting in Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US military support

In the midst of fierce fighting in the now-third month-old conflict, which has no end in sight, Israeli tanks encountered opposition on Monday as they attempted to advance farther west in their struggle against Hamas in and around Khan Younis.

Israel has redirected its war effort southward as seen by the fighting in Khan Younis, the biggest city in the southern Gaza Strip with a population of about 626,000, including those displaced by Israeli bombing in the north.

In recent days, the United States has once again provided crucial support to the offensive by vetoing UN Security Council attempts to halt the battle, which received widespread international support, and by forcing through an emergency sale of more than $100 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.

U.S. President Joe Biden was commended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for providing “important ammunition for the continuation of the war” and for standing behind Israel at the Security Council.

Amid reports of a “catastrophic” health situation in Gaza from the World Health Organization, Palestinian activists called for a global strike on Monday as part of a coordinated effort to pressure Israel into a cease-fire.

“It is time – WORLD WIDE TOTAL STRIKE,” urged one call. But it was unclear whether the effort would catch on globally or have an impact on Israel’s war plans.

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly was likely to vote on Tuesday on a draft resolution demanding a ceasefire, diplomats said on Sunday.

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On Friday, the United States vetoed a UN Security Council proposal demanding an immediate cease-fire for humanitarian reasons.

The U.S. vote was criticized by Arab foreign ministers on Sunday at an international conference in Doha, the capital of Qatar, which played a key role in negotiating the cease-fire late last month.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he would “not give up” appealing for a ceasefire.

“I urged the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe and I reiterated my appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared,” Guterres said. “Regrettably, the Security Council failed to do it, but that does not make it less necessary.”

The fighting began on Oct. 7 when Hamas staged a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. In response, Israel has vowed to annihilate the militant Islamist group Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007.

According to Gaza health authorities, around 18,000 people have been killed by Israeli attacks, with 49,500 injured. About 100 of the Israeli hostages were freed during a week-long truce that ended on Dec. 1.

On Sunday, residents of Khan Younis said tanks had reached the city’s main north-south road. Warplanes were attacking an area to the west.

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Guterres said the city could be on the verge of collapse with the possibility of epidemic diseases engulfing it.

Israel and Hamas meanwhile engaged in a war of words on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised statement that dozens of Hamas fighters had surrendered, while Hamas rebutted the claim and said it had destroyed 180 Israeli military vehicles. It did not provide evidence, however.

Meanwhile, hospitals in Gaza were at maximum capacity with dead and injured Palestinians, according to the main Nasser hospital in Khan Younis.

While the world’s attention has been riveted on the military action in the Gaza Strip, worries of the war spreading were further fed by fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which is backed by Iran.

Also on Sunday, Ayman Safadi, the foreign minister of Jordan, accused Israel of “a systematic effort to empty Gaza of its people” and pushing them to leave the territory.

Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy called the accusation “outrageous and false,” saying his country was defending itself “from the monsters who perpetrated the Oct. 7 massacre” and bring them to justice.

Heavy fighting in Gaza as Israel presses ahead with renewed US military support

(Reuters)

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US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

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U.S President Donald Trump

US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

Democratic lawmakers have accused the United States government of orchestrating the “largest government cover-up in modern history” over allegations that crucial documents relating to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were withheld from the public. The controversy centers on missing FBI interview summaries tied to a 2019 sexual abuse complaint against the former U.S. president.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) failed to release more than 50 pages of interview notes with a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Trump in the mid-1980s, when she was 13 to 15 years old. While the DOJ released millions of pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, investigators and media outlets, including NPR, found that only one summary focusing on Epstein’s actions appears publicly, leaving key follow-up materials missing.

“This is the largest government cover-up in modern history. We are demanding answers,” said Democrats on the Oversight Committee in a statement. Garcia confirmed that his team reviewed unredacted DOJ logs and concluded that FBI interviews with the survivor were not properly disclosed. He announced a parallel congressional investigation to ensure all records are produced.

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The DOJ has denied any wrongdoing, explaining that some materials may fall under exempt categories, such as duplicates, privileged records, or documents linked to ongoing investigations. Officials added that any documents improperly tagged or temporarily removed for privacy reasons will be restored. The department stated it is reviewing flagged files to ensure compliance with the law.

The woman at the center of the allegations first contacted authorities in July 2019, shortly after Epstein’s arrest on sex trafficking charges. Internal DOJ references describe her claim that Epstein introduced her to Trump, who then allegedly assaulted her. However, the public FBI summary does not evaluate the credibility of these allegations, and follow-up interview notes remain unavailable.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the release of the Epstein Files exonerates him. White House statements dismissed cover-up claims as politically motivated, asserting that no law enforcement agency has accused Trump of criminal conduct related to Epstein.

Legal experts and transparency advocates warn that withholding such key materials undermines public trust in U.S. institutions, particularly in high-profile cases involving political figures. The unfolding investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny on the DOJ’s handling of sensitive documents and the broader accountability of government agencies in politically charged cases.

US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

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Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

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United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly

Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nigeria joined 106 other UN member states in voting for a resolution calling for peace, sovereignty, and humanitarian protection for Ukraine. The vote took place during an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

The resolution, titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine”, was adopted with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including the United States. It calls for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children. The General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the war as shattering the peaceful aspirations of Europe and stressed that “war must never be the new normal.” She highlighted that generations in Europe have long lived in peace, but Russia’s invasion disrupted this reality.

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the conflict a “stain on our collective conscience” and a continuing threat to regional and international security. He warned that prolonged warfare increases civilian casualties, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since the invasion began. Guterres urged the international community to “use every diplomatic tool” to secure a full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward lasting peace.

During the session, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa condemned the invasion as a “war against the rules-based international order,” citing attacks on civilians, nuclear threats, and the forced deportation of children as potential war crimes. She reiterated that Ukraine rejects territorial concessions, insists on sovereignty as a red line, and called for stronger sanctions, air defense, binding security guarantees, and accountability for war crimes.

Conversely, the Russian Federation’s delegate rejected the resolution’s narrative, accusing European states of escalating the war while ignoring negotiations. Moscow reaffirmed its preference for diplomacy and stated that any settlement must address “root causes” and reflect “new territorial realities.”

The resolution demonstrates the broad international support for Ukraine, highlights Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, and emphasizes the urgent need for peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law as Russia’s invasion enters its fifth year.

Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

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Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

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Israeli settlers torch West Bank mosque

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

TELL, West Bank — Israeli settlers have vandalized and set fire to the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, authorities confirmed, marking the latest in a series of attacks on Palestinian religious sites amid a surge in settler violence. The attack occurred early Monday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Worshippers arriving for morning prayers discovered the mosque’s entrance smoldering, with black smoke staining the doorway and broken glass scattered across the area. According to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Religious Affairs, settlers spray-painted offensive graffiti, including derogatory references to Islam and slogans linked to extremist “price tag” operations.

Local resident Munir Ramdan described the scene: “I was shocked when I opened the door. The fire had been burning here, the glass was broken, and the door was damaged.” Security footage reportedly shows two individuals carrying gasoline and spray paint approaching the mosque before fleeing the scene.

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The incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on mosques in the West Bank, with the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reporting that 45 mosques were vandalized or attacked last year. Residents said the assault was a deliberate provocation during Ramadan, targeting both the religious sanctity of the mosque and the spiritual practice of fasting.

The Israeli military and police responded to reports of the incident and are actively searching for suspects. While the military condemned harm to religious institutions, Palestinian officials and rights groups say Israeli authorities often fail to hold settlers accountable for violence.

The attack comes amid a recent rise in settler violence, including last week’s killing of a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, highlighting ongoing tensions between settlers and Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

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