Latest Israel-Hamas war news: ICJ to hold hearings on Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory

The top U.N. court is set to begin public hearings Monday into the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. The six-day hearing could add to the political pressure on Israel over the war in Gaza, though its focus is on a broader issue: control of the occupied West Bank, annexed East Jerusalem, and the … Read more

Somalia’s president accuses Ethiopia of trying to annex territory with Somaliland sea deal

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud accused Ethiopia on Saturday of trying to annex part of his country’s territory by signing a sea access deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland. The agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland signed Jan. 1 “is nothing more than annexing part of Somalia to Ethiopia, and changing the borders of Somalia,” … Read more

U.S. war plans for Ukraine don’t foresee retaking lost territory

Still smarting from last year’s failed counteroffensive in Ukraine, the Biden administration is putting together a new strategy that will de-emphasize winning back territory and focus instead on helping Ukraine fend off new Russian advances while moving toward a long-term goal of strengthening its fighting force and economy. The emerging plan is a sharp change … Read more

ICJ Case on Israel’s Occupation of Palestinian Territory: What to Know

While the International Court of Justice is currently deliberating a case brought by South Africa, charging Israel with “genocidal acts” against Palestinians in its brutal military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ deadly terror attack on Oct. 7, 2023, there’s another ICJ case involving Israel that’s currently pending. The Southeast Asian nation of Indonesia is taking … Read more

Cesarean deliveries surge in Puerto Rico, reaching a record rate in the US territory, report says

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Cesareans are surging in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, which has one of the world’s highest rates with more than 50% of babies now delivered via surgery compared with only 32% on the U.S. mainland, according to a federal report released Wednesday. The rates of cesarean delivery on the … Read more

Venezuela and Guyana pledge not to use force in territory dispute

TOPSHOT – Aerial view of the Essequibo region taken from Guyana on December 12, 2023. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart, Irfaan Ali, will meet on December 14, 2023 in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on their countries’ growing dispute over the oil-rich region of Essequibo, amid mounting international warnings against escalating the … Read more

Ukraine condemns planned Russian presidential election in occupied territory

Ukraine has strongly condemned Russia’s plans to hold presidential elections on occupied Ukrainian territory in the spring ByThe Associated Press December 9, 2023, 9:38 AM KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine on Saturday strongly condemned Russia’s plans to hold presidential elections on occupied Ukrainian territory in the spring. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called the planned elections “null and … Read more

Venezuelans to vote in referendum over large swathe of territory under dispute with Guyana

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelans will vote Sunday in a referendum to supposedly decide the future of a large swath of neighboring Guyana their government claims ownership of, arguing the territory was stolen when a north-south border was drawn more than a century ago. Guyana considers the referendum a step toward annexation and the vote has … Read more

Venezuela’s planned vote over territory dispute leaves Guyana residents on edge

SURAMA, Guyana — Congregants of an Anglican church in a sparsely populated rainforest village in Guyana gathered recently to bid on a bounty of bananas, squash and other produce during a community event. They sang hymns and rang a bell after each successful bid. They offered grateful devotions typical of a harvest festival but also … Read more

Israeli troops surround Gaza City and cut off northern part of the besieged Hamas-ruled territory

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli troops early Monday had surrounded Gaza City and cut off the northern part of the besieged Hamas-ruled territory as communications lost for several hours across Gaza overnight were being restored. Troops are expected to enter the city Monday or Tuesday, Israeli media reported, and militants who have prepared for … Read more