French President Emmanuel Macron has issued a stark warning about the potential for "civil war" in France if either the far-right or far-left candidates were to win the upcoming election. Marine Le Pen's National Rally party is currently polling at 34 percent, ahead of Macron's 22 percent. Macron's concerns about the rise of extremist ideologies in French politics highlight the growing polarization and division within the country. The upcoming election will be crucial in determining the future direction of France and its political landscape.

Israeli forces have been accused of using excessive force in the occupied West Bank, with reports emerging of troops strapping an injured Palestinian to a jeep. This incident comes amidst escalating violence in the region, with at least 39 people killed in Gaza due to Israeli strikes. Since October 7th, Israeli forces have reportedly killed over 480 Palestinians in the West Bank. The situation remains tense as clashes continue between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters. The use of force by Israeli troops has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who have called for an end to the violence and for both sides to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve the conflict.

In a concerning development, Russia has launched a significant attack on the Ukrainian power grid, causing multiple injuries. This marks the second time this week that Russia has targeted Ukraine's energy network, further escalating tensions between the two countries. The attack has resulted in widespread damage to the power infrastructure, posing a serious threat to the stability and security of the region. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to intensify.

In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian President Putin has issued a warning to South Korea, cautioning against providing military assistance to Ukraine. This threat has raised concerns in the United States, with officials describing Putin's mention of North Korea's weapons capabilities as "incredibly concerning." The tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, with international actors closely monitoring the situation.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have reportedly detained 11 Yemeni employees of UN agencies in a situation that remains unclear. The militia group's actions come amidst mounting financial pressure and airstrikes from a US-led coalition. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that 11 UN staffers have been taken into custody by the Houthis. The UN is currently working to secure access to its personnel and gather more information to clarify the circumstances surrounding the detentions. The aid group workers who have also been detained are part of the growing concern over the safety and security of humanitarian workers in Yemen.

A tragic incident unfolded in Sudan as at least 100 people lost their lives and many others were injured during an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in Gezira province. The assault, which took place in Wad al-Noura village, resulted in casualties that included women and children, according to Mini Arko Minawi, the governor of Darfur province. Reports indicate that the RSF clashed with the Sudanese army during the attack, leading to a significant loss of life and widespread injuries. Additionally, there have been claims of looting in the aftermath of the violence. The situation in Sudan remains tense as authorities work to address the aftermath of this tragic event. The international community is closely monitoring the developments in the region as efforts are made to ensure the safety and security of the affected population.

US, EU Ratchet Up Pressure on Israel Over Gaza Ceasefire; UN Vote Planned Pressure Mounts for Ceasefire in Gaza The United Nations Security Council is expected to vote on a US-drafted resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, with pressure mounting on Israel to end its five-month-long bombardment of the Palestinian territory. The draft resolution […]