Author: Al Jazeera Staff

EXPLAINER Policemen and civilians were killed in a series of ‘terrorist attacks’ in Dagestan’s Makhachkala and Derbent. At least 19 people were killed in a series of attacks on a synagogue, churches, and a police post in Dagestan, Russia. The attacks occurred in Makhachkala and Derbent, leading to a declaration of three days of mourning in the region. The incidents have raised concerns in Russia. What happened in Dagestan and when? Armed men attacked a synagogue, an Orthodox church, and a police post in Dagestan on Sunday. Gunmen targeted these locations in Derbent and Makhachkala, leading to exchanges of gunfire…

A year after Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination near Vancouver, Canada and the US are ramping up investigations into India’s alleged involvement in eliminating overseas Sikh separatist movements through targeted killings. In Canada, a hearing on the Nijjar case scheduled for June 25 will provide prosecutors with an opportunity to present evidence implicating India in the murder. Meanwhile, Indian national Nikhil Gupta, linked to a plot to assassinate Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was extradited from the Czech Republic to the US. This development sheds light on the controversial role of Indian security agencies in targeting Sikh activists…

Iran Issues Warning to Israel Over Potential Conflict with Hezbollah Amid growing tensions between Israel and the Iran-allied Hezbollah group, Iran has issued a stern warning to Israel, stating that any aggressive action could lead to the region being plunged into a devastating war. Iran emphasized that Hezbollah is fully capable of defending itself and Lebanon, cautioning Israel that it would be the “ultimate loser” in any conflict with the Lebanese armed group. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, also issued threats, stating that the group would target Israel’s territory with rockets and drones in the event of a war. He further…

EXPLAINER A group of children and young activists has successfully won a constitutional case in Hawaii, compelling the state’s department of transport to reduce emissions from the transport sector. A milestone was reached in a historical settlement where 13 children and young activists in Hawaii pushed the department of transport to commit to decarbonizing its transportation sector, aiming for zero emissions by 2045. This goes beyond the state’s previous goal of carbon neutrality by the same year, requiring a complete halt of carbon emissions. The groundbreaking nature of this settlement was highlighted by Earthjustice, an environmental law organization, as the…

Canada Lists Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as Terrorist Entity Canada has taken a strong stance against Iran by designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a “terrorist” entity. Ottawa cited the IRGC’s ties to Hamas and Hezbollah, accusing Iran of a ‘complete disregard for human rights’. The Canadian government urged its citizens in Iran to leave and emphasized that the move will aid in countering terrorist financing. The decision to list the IRGC through the Criminal Code listing regime demonstrates Canada’s commitment to combatting terrorism. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly warned against travel to Iran due to a heightened risk of…

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah issued a strong warning to Israel, vowing a war with no limits if Israel launches a major offensive against Lebanon. Tension rose as Israeli officials threatened a full-scale war against Hezbollah. Nasrallah stated that threats of war do not scare Hezbollah, as Israel should be the one worried. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz hinted at changing rules against Hezbollah after the group released drone footage of Israeli sites. Nasrallah emphasized Hezbollah’s military strength, mentioning new weapons and locally-made drones. He hinted at possible ground incursions into Israel. Hezbollah has been attacking Israeli military bases in support…

As the 2024 United States presidential race unfolds, the focus has shifted to potential running mates for incumbent President Joe Biden and frontrunner Donald Trump. Among the possible contenders for the Republican ticket are Elise Stefanik, a US congresswoman known for her staunch support of Trump and controversial views on immigration. Another option is Tim Scott, the only Black Republican in the US Senate, who has been a vocal advocate for Trump and is making efforts to attract Black voters to the GOP. J.D. Vance, a US senator who rose to prominence due to his book and conservative stances, is…

EXPLAINER Groups and politicians in Israel have launched a campaign for early elections and a deal to release the captives. Antigovernment groups in Israel have initiated a week-long resistance against the current government, demanding early elections and a deal to release captives taken by Hamas-led groups. Protests began in Tel Aviv, where thousands blocked roads and gathered at important locations, expressing anger towards the government’s performance. What do they plan to do? The protesters, including various antigovernment groups and former war cabinet member Benny Gantz, are calling for early elections and the release of captives held since the October 7…

US Envoy Amos Hochstein has embarked on a mission to ease tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, meeting with Israeli leaders before heading to Lebanon. Hochstein discussed the security situation with Israeli officials, amid fears of a potential all-out war in the region. The recent increase in Hezbollah attacks on Israel has raised concerns about a broader conflict. While in the region, Hochstein is reportedly engaging in indirect talks with Hezbollah through Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The US is advocating for a diplomatic resolution to prevent escalation at the Lebanon-Israel border. Hezbollah has vowed to continue attacks until the Gaza…

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved the country’s war cabinet, opting for a “kitchen cabinet” instead, following the withdrawal of his rival Benny Gantz. The war cabinet was formed in response to a Hamas-led attack on Gaza but faced internal feuds, leading to its scrapping after Gantz and observer Eisenkot quit over a lack of a clear plan for Gaza. Netanyahu’s decision also thwarted hard-right ministers’ ambitions to join the cabinet. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, representing the ultra-Orthodox, hard-right faction, posed significant challenges due to their extreme views and potential to destabilize the coalition government. Ignoring them was not an…