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Pope Leo Urges Leaders to Fight Hunger Instead of Fueling Wars

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Pope Leo criticized world leaders for prioritizing military conflicts over humanitarian needs, saying governments are “feeding” wars while millions continue to face hunger. Speaking at the headquarters of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome, the pope warned that global political and moral priorities have become dangerously unbalanced.

The pontiff urged nations to increase spending on food security and humanitarian aid rather than limiting assistance due to geopolitical interests. He stressed that access to food is a fundamental human right and argued that tackling hunger should be a central international priority. Leo also cautioned that many humanitarian crises are being pushed aside as countries focus more on national security and economic concerns.

Highlighting the link between hunger and global stability, Pope Leo said food security is essential for lasting peace and international security. His remarks come as the WFP warns that acute food insecurity is expected to worsen across multiple countries due to conflict, funding shortages, and climate-related challenges. The agency is seeking $13 billion in donations for 2026 to support its worldwide operations.

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Ukraine Accepts Brazil’s Peace Initiative as Diplomatic Efforts to End War Gain Momentum

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accepted an offer from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to help advance diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. The agreement came during a meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, where they discussed ways to revive stalled peace negotiations.

According to Ukrainian officials, Lula proposed several diplomatic initiatives, including increased engagement with the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Both leaders agreed to explore these ideas further and assess their effectiveness through future discussions and international contacts.

The renewed diplomatic push comes as previous U.S.-backed peace efforts have struggled to make progress, largely due to disagreements over territorial issues. Brazil has signalled its willingness to engage key global powers in search of a peaceful resolution, while Ukraine continues to seek broader international support to bring an end to the conflict.

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ICC Faces Fresh Turmoil as Prosecutor Karim Khan Suspended

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) is facing renewed uncertainty following the suspension of Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct. The move comes at a challenging time for the court, which is already dealing with political pressure, U.S. sanctions, and internal divisions among its member states. Khan, who has led several high-profile investigations, including cases related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, denies the allegations and claims the process against him is politically motivated.

A confidential United Nations investigation reportedly found a factual basis for allegations made by a former staff member, while a separate review by a panel of external judges concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to prove the claims beyond a reasonable doubt. Despite the differing assessments, a majority of members in a key ICC governing group voted to suspend Khan and refer the matter to the Assembly of States Parties, which holds the authority to dismiss him.

The final decision on Khan’s future may take months, with a vote by ICC member states unlikely before late July or later. In the meantime, concerns are growing that the dispute could damage the court’s reputation and distract from ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity investigations. Khan’s legal team has vowed to challenge the suspension and defend his rights, arguing that due process has not been properly followed.

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IAEA Urges Iran to Re-Engage as Western Powers Push for Nuclear Resolution

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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi on Monday urged Iran to “re-engage” with the U.N. watchdog so inspections can resume at nuclear sites bombed by the U.S. and Israel a year ago. Iran has yet to inform the agency about the fate of those damaged facilities or the highly enriched uranium—including material close to weapons-grade—stored there. While some basic monitoring continues at the Bushehr power plant, Grossi revealed that the broader channel of communication with Tehran is essentially broken due to safety concerns and escalating regional hostilities.

Concurrently, the United States, alongside Britain, France, and Germany, is driving a draft resolution at the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors. The resolution demands that Iran provide precise information regarding the bombed sites and its enriched uranium stockpiles “without delay.” While expected to pass, diplomats warn that the measure could heavily complicate sensitive, ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran aimed at extending a fragile ceasefire and discussing the future of Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran’s mission to the IAEA strongly condemned the Western pressure, arguing on social media that the board is being weaponized to absolve the perpetrators of the 2025 airstrikes. Tehran warned that coercion and confrontation will only undermine diplomatic prospects, a stance that historically signals a potential escalation of its nuclear activities. The diplomatic friction unfolds amid fresh military exchanges between Israel and Iran, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands for an immediate halt to the strikes.

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Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Malta say they are ready to recognise the State of Palestine

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Leaders from Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta have declared their readiness to acknowledge the State of Palestine as a crucial step towards achieving peace and stability in the conflict-ridden region. During a meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Brussels, they emphasized their willingness to recognize Palestine when it could contribute positively to the situation. They stressed the necessity of a two-state solution, with both Israeli and Palestinian states coexisting peacefully.

Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob expressed optimism about garnering political support for Palestine at the United Nations, suggesting that conditions for establishing a Palestinian government could be ripe in the near future. Currently, nine out of the EU’s 27 member states recognize Palestine based on the 1967 borders. Belgium, represented at the meeting, also supports Palestinian statehood but may be constrained from signing such declarations due to its presidency of the Council of the EU.

While the EU backs the two-state solution and provides significant aid to Palestinians, it has not unanimously supported recognizing a Palestinian state. Spain and Ireland have been vocal advocates for recognizing Palestine, particularly following the recent conflict in Gaza. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez emphasized the importance of unified action among EU countries rather than unilateral recognition. He stressed the need for careful timing to ensure a lasting peace.

The political diversity of the leaders involved suggests broad consensus on the necessity of recognizing Palestine for future peace efforts. Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also confirmed ongoing discussions among member states regarding formal recognition of Palestine to facilitate more equitable negotiations post-conflict.

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Gaza Hospital Overwhelmed as Israel’s Retaliation Inflicts Hundreds of Casualties

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On Saturday morning, there were celebrations in Gaza as Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israel and carried out deadly cross-border attacks. However, the situation took a grim turn the following day. Israeli shelling continued relentlessly throughout the night and into Sunday morning, driving people indoors as explosions rocked the area. Gaza was shrouded in clouds of black smoke as Israeli strikes hit 150 targets, including military positions, Hamas leaders’ homes, and banks. Among the significant targets was the Watan Tower, a vital hub for internet providers in Gaza.

The retaliatory Israeli air strikes have resulted in more than 400 casualties, severely straining Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation. Power and water supplies have been disrupted, leaving most areas without electricity. Rubble obstructed roads in Gaza City, where shops were shuttered, except for a few bakeries with long queues.

Gaza’s hospitals, ill-equipped even in peaceful times, are overwhelmed, with desperate appeals for blood donors. According to Mahmoud Shalabi of the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, the main hospital resembled a “slaughterhouse,” with an influx of casualties and overwhelmed medical staff.

Later on Sunday, the Israeli army sent SMS messages to Gaza City residents, advising them to seek shelter ahead of strikes. Over 20,000 people headed to United Nations sites in the area.

Hamas, in control of Gaza for 17 years, was seemingly prepared for such massive retaliation, having declared readiness for war with Israel. Despite the blockade, the group claims to have smuggled weapons and developed its arsenal. While some Gazans celebrated Hamas’ rocket attacks, many are apprehensive about the prolonged violence and uncertain future.

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Poland Halts Weapon Exports to Ukraine Amidst Grain Dispute

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One of Ukraine’s steadfast supporters, Poland, has declared that it will cease its weapon supplies to its neighboring country, Ukraine, citing a diplomatic dispute regarding Ukraine’s grain exports as the primary reason. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki emphasized that Poland’s current focus is on bolstering its own defense capabilities with more modern weaponry.

Poland had already provided Ukraine with significant military assistance, including 320 Soviet-era tanks and 14 MiG-29 fighter jets. However, their willingness to continue such support has dwindled, coinciding with escalating tensions between the two nations.

The recent diplomatic rift was triggered when Poland, along with Hungary and Slovakia, extended a ban on Ukrainian grain imports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments at the United Nations, characterizing their actions as political theater, added fuel to the fire. Poland viewed these remarks as unjustified, given their longstanding support for Ukraine.

In his interview, Prime Minister Morawiecki underlined that while Poland remains committed to assisting Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression, it could not allow its own markets to be destabilized by Ukrainian grain imports. He pointed out that Poland was already replacing its depleted military hardware, which had been significantly reduced through transfers to Ukraine, with modern Western-produced equipment.

While arms exports to Ukraine will not cease entirely, only previously agreed deliveries of ammunition and armaments, including those from existing contracts with Ukraine, will be fulfilled. This decision reflects Poland’s commitment to its own security and stability, while the future of its assistance to Ukraine remains uncertain.

The ongoing grain dispute arises from Ukraine’s need to find alternative overland routes for grain exports due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, which nearly closed the main Black Sea shipping lanes. Consequently, large quantities of grain flowed into Central Europe, leading the European Union to temporarily ban grain imports into several countries. Despite the EU lifting the ban, Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia have maintained it, leading to Ukraine’s WTO lawsuits against these nations. Poland has signaled its intention to uphold the ban, while also hinting at the possibility of expanding the list of banned products should Ukraine escalate the grain dispute. However, diplomatic channels remain open, with discussions ongoing to seek a mutually beneficial solution.

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Russia formally withdraws from the grain contract with Ukraine

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Russia has informed the United Nations, Turkey, and Ukraine that it will not extend a crucial grain deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Black Sea. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the agreements had effectively ended on Monday. The deal permitted cargo ships to pass through the Black Sea from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. However, Russia stated that it would reconsider the agreement if certain conditions were met.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously expressed dissatisfaction with parts of the deal, claiming that the export of Russian food and fertilizers had not been fulfilled. He specifically mentioned that grain had not been supplied to poorer nations, which was a condition of the agreement. Russia also complained about Western sanctions limiting its agricultural exports and repeatedly threatened to withdraw from the deal.

On Monday, the Russian foreign ministry reiterated these concerns, accusing the West of “open sabotage” and prioritizing commercial interests over humanitarian goals. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his belief that Putin still wanted to continue the agreement and stated that they would discuss its renewal during their upcoming meeting.

The grain deal is significant because Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of sunflower, maize, wheat, and barley. Following Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian ports were blockaded, trapping 20 million tonnes of grain and causing a sharp increase in global food prices. The blockade also posed a threat to food supplies in Middle Eastern and African countries heavily reliant on Ukrainian grain.

Nikolay Gorbachev, the president of the Ukrainian Grain Association, mentioned that alternative methods of exporting grain had been identified, including through Danube River ports. However, he acknowledged that these ports would be less efficient, leading to reduced grain exports and increased transportation costs.

Western leaders swiftly criticized Russia’s decision, with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemning it as a “cynical move” and emphasizing the EU’s efforts to ensure food security for vulnerable populations.

Russia’s announcement coincided with Ukraine claiming responsibility for an attack on a bridge in Crimea that resulted in the deaths of two civilians. Peskov stated that Russia’s decision to let the deal expire was unrelated to the attack, as President Putin had already declared the position before the incident.

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Russia assumes UN Security Council presidency despite Ukrainian anger

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Despite Ukraine pleading with other council members to oppose the action, Russia has assumed the leadership of the UN Security Council. On a rotating basis, each of the 15 council members has the presidency for one month.

In February 2022, when Russia last held the president, it started a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It denotes that a nation whose president is wanted internationally for alleged war crimes is in charge of the Security Council.

The arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin was issued last month by the International Criminal Court, a non-UN body.

Notwithstanding Ukraine’s complaints, the US claimed it was powerless to prevent Russia, a permanent council member, from taking the helm. The United Kingdom, United States, France, and China are the council’s other permanent members.

Vasily Nebenzia, Moscow’s ambassador to the UN, informed the Russian Tass news agency that he intended to preside over numerous discussions, including one on arms control. The position is primarily procedural. He promised to talk about the “new world order” that will “replace the unipolar one.”

The Russian presidency has been dubbed “the worst April Fool’s joke ever” and a “stark warning that something is wrong with the way international security architecture is functioning,” according to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

Mykhaylo Podolyak, a presidential adviser for Ukraine, criticised the decision as “another rape of international law… an entity that wages an aggressive war, violates standards of humanitarian and criminal law, tramples on the UN Charter, disregards nuclear safety, and can’t lead the world’s foremost security organisation.”

Last year, President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded that the Security Council be reformed or “dissolved entirely,” accusing it of not doing enough to stop Russia’s invasion.

He has also demanded that Russia lose its membership. Yet, the US has claimed that because the UN charter forbids the removal of a permanent member, it is unable to act.

Russia blocked a resolution meant to put a stop to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of last year (China, India and the United Arab Emirates all abstained).

It rejected a resolution in September that demanded that its unlawful annexation of four Ukrainian territories be undone. India, China, Gabon, and Brazil did not vote.

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