The United States maintains strong political ties with Israel. This is partly because of significant funding from Jewish lobbies. However, more young Americans now support Palestine.

The Palestinian Conflict History

The Palestinian conflict has deep historical roots. It involves complicated relations between Jews and Arabs. In addition, there are many political factors in the region.

The Islamic militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel in early October, prompting retaliation in Gaza. Reports indicate that over 14,000 Palestinians have died, mostly women and children.

The US Supreme Court has ruled against affirmative action policies in college admissions, deeming them unconstitutional. The decision follows lawsuits claiming such policies discriminate against white and Asian-American applicants.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner Group founder, appeared in Belarus after leading a march on Moscow. Belarusian President Lukashenko confirmed his arrival and offered an abandoned base to Wagner troops.

A US think tank suggests that the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin may have originated within Russia. The institute asserts it’s unlikely that two drones could bypass Moscow’s air defenses, suggesting the possibility of a domestically launched attack for societal mobilization.

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s visit to Tokyo marks a positive shift in Japan-South Korea relations. Diplomats and politicians from both countries have been working together to address ongoing issues and improve bilateral ties. Japan and South Korea continue their diplomatic efforts to find a solution that benefits both nations.

Several Japanese nationals are being detained at an immigration facility in the Philippines, and police in Japan have requested that they be returned to Japan to face charges for a string of robberies. One of the suspects may have to be prosecuted in the Philippines before he can be extradited.

The world’s population topped 8 billion, double the 1974 level. However, growth is slowing, and populations shrinking in wealthy countries. This can be viewed positively, as fewer children are correlated with reproductive freedom and with confidence of kids reaching adulthood. But low fertility rates cause economic stagnation, and populations are growing fastest in the poorest countries.

During the first Halloween celebration in Seoul since COVID-19 restrictions were eased, 153 people died and 133 were injured when an excessive number of people crowded into a narrow, sloping alley. The area was featured in a South Korean TV drama, and its high profile may have contributed to overcrowding that led to the tragic accident.