The Israeli army has left more than a hundred Palestinians dead as it withdraws from some of the heaviest fighting seen in Gaza since the 1980s. Gazan officials report that a large number of causalities were civilians and medical sources claim a third were children. Israel's latest incursion - dubbed "Hot Winter" - into Gaza was in response to ongoing rocket barrages targeting the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon. At the time of the Israeli withdrawal, Hamas militants were still firing rockets into Israel.
In response to "Hot Winter", Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has suspended all negotiations and senior level contacts with Israel. The latest development may derail the White House initiative to broker a peace settlement. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet with both Abbas and Olmert this week. Abbas had grown unpopular amongst Palestinians both in Gaza and the West Bank for seemingly bending to Tel Aviv and Washington, and not standing in solidarity with Gaza. Keep up to date with the latest developments and sharpest perspectives in a world of strife and struggle.
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Ahmadinejad in Baghdad
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is in Baghdad, a first for an Iranian leader since the 1980s. The visit sparked protests amongst Sunni Arabs who still recall the wounds of the Iran-Iraq war. Though American officials accuse Iran of supplying weapons to Iraqi militants, the Shia-led government in Baghdad remains committed to cooperation with Tehran. Ahmadinejad is expected to stay for two days and discuss energy and security issues as well as investment projects. His visit confirms the warming ties between the two countries.
Basque town supports weakening ETA
The lead up to the 9 March poll in Spain has drawn strong condemnation from the Basque Country as the Spanish government continues to ban political parties with suspected ties to Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA), the Basque militant separatist group. For the past four decades, ETA has demanded autonomy for the Basques, however ETA's support amongst Basques has weakened over the years. Following the 2006 bombing of Madrid airport, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero launched a crackdown against ETA and its allies.
Rebel Comoros leader to face AU troops
The Comoros federal government, along with AU troops, plan to retake Anjouan island from its self-declared rebel leader, Mohamed Bacar. In an illegal election held last July, Bacar seized power over the small island, one of the three that make up the Indian Ocean archipelago. Six hundred Sudanese and 150 Senegalese soldiers are expected to land on Moheli Island and regroup with the 200 already stationed Tanzanian soldiers. However, the destruction today of a fuel ship supplying the Comoros army may delay the planned military operation.
Carnage at jirga
A large Pashtun tribal peace gathering near Peshawar ended in a blast that reportedly killed 42 people and injured another 58 on Sunday. Tribes from Zarghunkhel, Akhurwal, Sheraki, Bostikhel and Toor Chapper were discussing strategies to drive out Taliban and al-Qaida militants from FR Korat. Numerous witnesses said a teenager detonated himself but some dispute the attack was an act perpetrated by a suicide bomber.
Chavez orders troops to Colombian border
President Hugo Chavez ordered ten battalions of troops yesterday to the Colombian border as a response to the assassination of FARC leader Raul Reyes and 16 other FARC rebels by the Colombian military. Closing its embassy in Bogotá, Chavez also warned Colombia of war and called Colombian President Alvaro Uribe "a war criminal." The Colombian military dropped heavy ordinance on the rebels in a base inside Ecuador. Eucadorean President Rafael Correa expelled Colombia's embassy and has since ordered his troops to join Venezuela at the border.
Ukraine gas supplies cut
Gazprom, Russia's leading producer of and distributor of natural gas, reduced the effective gas supply to Ukraine by 25% yesterday. Gazprom is seeking nearly 400,000 million euros in unpaid dues.
