MILITARY PRISONERS
From flowers to guns: Women's struggle against military conscription in Myanmar
Thousands of people are fleeing Myanmar due to the military junta's announcement of conscription to bolster its forces against armed groups challenging its power. The exodus is driven by fear of forced recruitment, with reports of human rights abuses and violence against women. The situation worsened after the 2021 coup, leading to widespread displacement and unrest. Women, in particular, face increased risks of trafficking, exploitation, and discrimination.
The Saipan surprise: How delicate talks led to the unlikely end of Julian Assange's 12-year saga
About a year and a half ago, a lawyer for Julian Assange presented federal prosecutors in Virginia with a request to dismiss the case against him. This move was notable given Assange's publication of hundreds of thousands of secret documents and his status as perhaps the highest-profile detainee facing a U.S. extradition request. The Justice Department was involved in a battle in British courts to extradite him to the United States for trial.
Military flees Bolivia government palace after coup attempt fails, general taken into custody
Armored vehicles stormed Bolivia's government palace in an attempted coup, but President Luis Arce stood firm, naming a new army commander who ordered troops to stand down. The soldiers retreated as hundreds of Arce's supporters rallied. General Juan Jose Zuniga, arrested later, claimed Arce orchestrated the move to boost his popularity, which Arce has not commented on. The incident comes amid economic hardship and political tension, with even Arce's rivals condemning the uprising. Regional leaders and former Bolivian officials expressed outrage at the coup attempt.
What you need to know about Julian Assange, WikiLeaks' controversial founder
Julian Assange, who recently secured his freedom through a plea deal with US authorities, is a polarizing figure known for his role in WikiLeaks. Seen by many as a champion of press freedom, he gained global attention by releasing classified US military documents, including the infamous Iraq and Afghanistan war logs. Assange's legal troubles began with allegations in Sweden, followed by seeking asylum in Ecuador's embassy in London to avoid extradition to the US, where he faced charges under the Espionage Act.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange pleads guilty in deal with US that secures his freedom, ends legal fight
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets, ending a prolonged legal battle over press freedom and national security. The deal, struck in Saipan, allows Assange to return to Australia without U.S. prison time. Assange had been jailed in the UK since 2019, resisting extradition. The plea resolves a Trump-era criminal case and highlights Assange's role in revealing military misconduct. His wife expressed relief, and Assange's supporters celebrate his impending freedom.
Russia keeps up pressure on the front line as Ukraine gets a boost from Western military aid
Russian attacks on Ukrainian positions in the eastern town of Chasiv Yar are disrupting troop rotations and supply deliveries, soldiers report. As Ukraine awaits new Western military aid, Russia seeks to exploit its numerical and firepower advantage. Civilian targets are also heavily bombed, leading to ICC arrest warrants for former Russian defense leaders for alleged war crimes. Despite intense fighting, Ukrainian forces strive to hold Chasiv Yar, crucial for its strategic location. The U.S. and Czech Republic are bolstering Ukraine's ammunition supplies, while a prisoner swap was mediated by the UAE.
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WikiLeaks founder Assange strikes US plea deal, to be a ‘free man’
He flew out of London to travel to the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific where he will plead guilty to a single count of conspiracy to obtain and disseminate national defence information, according to a court document.
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to plead guilty in espionage act case in US court, will be freed from prison
Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, will plead guilty to conspiring to obtain and disseminate classified US defense information under a deal with the US Justice Department. This agreement concludes a decade-long legal battle involving multiple countries. Assange will appear in a federal court in the Mariana Islands to enter his plea, after which he will return to Australia. The case has sparked significant debates over press freedom and national security.
Shunned by West, Russian army deserters live in fear
Russian authorities have opened a criminal case against Ziganshin for abandoning his unit. He does not feel safe in Kazakhstan and fears he might be deported to Russia. But it is hard for men like him to seek refuge in the West because many Russian servicemen do not have the Russian passport that allows travel to Europe and only have documents that permit them to reach neighbours such as Kazakhstan or Armenia.
US reporter Gershkovich to go on trial in Russia on June 26
The trial of US journalist Evan Gershkovich, who faces espionage charges in Russia, will begin on June 26, 2024. The trial will be held behind closed doors in Yekaterinburg. He was arrested in 2023 and was accused of working for the CIA, collecting secret information about a Russian tank maker. The US and Wall Street Journal dismissed the charges as lacking credibility. It also condemned the trial as a sham and outrageous.
Russia says exchanged 75 captured servicemen with Ukraine
Russia said that it had conducted a prisoner exchange with Ukraine. The two countries exchanging 75 captured servicemen in one of the only areas of dialogue between the warring countries. As a result of negotiations, 75 Russian servicemen who were in mortal danger in captivity have been returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime.
Israel pummels Gaza as troops push into central Rafah
Israeli forces conducted air raids on targets in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the southern city of Rafah. The military operation in Rafah led to international concerns about civilian safety, with reports of casualties and destruction in multiple locations. Efforts towards a ceasefire have been stalled as both sides continue to exchange fire. The rising casualties promped calls for humanitarian aid and diplomatic intervention.
Hamas claims to have taken Israeli soldier 'prisoner'
Hamas claimed to have captured an Israeli soldier in a tunnel ambush in Gaza, but Israel denied the claim. The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, stated that all Israeli forces in the tunnel were either killed, wounded, or captured. Despite Hamas releasing images of a soldier being dragged, Israel's army insisted no soldier was abducted. This development comes amidst ongoing airstrikes by Israel in Rafah, despite a UN court's order to halt the military offensive in the southern Gaza city.
Top Russian military officials are being arrested. Why is it happening?
Following the arrest of a Russian deputy defense minister last month, a series of detentions of senior military officials on corruption charges has unfolded. These arrests coincided with President Vladimir Putin's fifth term and a reshuffle of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The detentions have sparked speculation about Putin's control over the Defense Ministry, potential turf battles, or other internal power plays. Corruption has long been entrenched in Russia's system, but the recent crackdown, especially amid the war in Ukraine, suggests a significant shift in handling graft within the defense sector.
Who are the remaining Gaza hostages?
More than seven months after Hamas militants attacked Israel, taking 252 people hostage, the number of those still alive in Gaza remains unknown. So far, 112 hostages have been released, including 33 children, 49 women, and 30 men, mainly Thai agricultural workers. These releases mostly occurred during a week-long truce in November in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel has also repatriated the bodies of 16 dead hostages, while Palestinian militants still hold the bodies of 37 others.
Israeli military finds bodies of 3 hostages in Gaza, including Shani Louk, killed at music festival
Israeli military found bodies of three hostages taken by Hamas, including German-Israeli Shani Louk, Amit Buskila, and Itzhak Gelerenter, killed at Nova music festival near Gaza border and taken into Palestinian territory.
Israel orders people in more areas of Gaza's Rafah to evacuate
Israel pushes for Rafah evacuations to Al-Mawasi for aid, hinting at a ground assault. Orders given for various areas to seek Gaza City shelters. Tensions rise as ceasefire talks stall, causing more civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Ukraine parliament passes bill allowing prisoners to join military amid personnel shortage
Ukraine's parliament has passed a bill allowing certain prisoners to enlist in the armed forces amid a critical shortage of military personnel. The move marks a shift in Kyiv's stance, previously opposing such measures. The legislation, awaiting final approval, restricts participation to specific prisoner categories and requires less than three years remaining on their sentence. Despite its passage, concerns have been raised about discrimination and uncertainties regarding prisoners' service. This decision comes as Ukraine faces increased Russian aggression, with efforts to boost military recruitment intensifying.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from a Myanmar prison to house arrest due to heat wave
Aung San Suu Kyi, 78, and Win Myint, the 72-year-old former president of her ousted government, were among the elderly and infirm prisoners moved from out of prison because of the severe heat, the military's spokesperson, Maj. Gen. General Zaw Min Tun, told foreign media representatives late Tuesday. The move has not yet been publicly announced in Myanmar.
Iran’s better, stealthier drones are remaking global warfare
Iran's drone technology is reshaping global conflicts, with drones based on Iranian designs being used in various countries, including Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine. These drones, like the Zagel-3 based on Iran's Ababil model, are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are used by militias and militaries worldwide. Iran's drone industry, fueled by sanctions and innovative methods to circumvent them, is a key element of its military strategy, allowing it to project power and influence far beyond its borders.
Israel agrees to US-proposed prisoner-hostage exchange deal with Hamas
The proposed exchange will "definitely include some" American hostages, because it will include the release of men over the age of 50.
Hamas issues ceasefire proposal detailing exchange of hostages, prisoners
Hamas has proposed a Gaza ceasefire plan to mediators, calling for the initial release of Israeli women, children, elderly, and ill hostages in exchange for 700-1000 Palestinian prisoners. This includes 100 Palestinians serving life sentences and Israeli "female recruits." Hamas would agree to a permanent ceasefire after this exchange and set a deadline for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The plan also includes the release of all detainees from both sides in a second stage.
Relentless Israel bombs and kills at least 67 Palestinians in Gaza as Ramzan begins
With the war in Gaza ongoing, Palestinians begin fasting for Ramzan amidst worsening hunger and growing pressure on Israel. Cease-fire talks and efforts to release hostages and prisoners have stalled. The death toll reaches 31,112, with two-thirds being women and children. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon continue to escalate tensions.
The latest talks on Gaza have ended with no breakthrough, officials say, with Ramadan days away
Hamas has refused to release all of the estimated 100 hostages it holds, and the remains of around 30 more, unless Israel ends its offensive, withdraws from the territory and releases a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including senior militants serving life sentences. Jihad Taha, a Hamas spokesperson, said the negotiations were ongoing but "the ball is in the Israeli court". He said Israel had thus far refused Hamas' demands for people who fled northern Gaza to be allowed to return and for guarantees of a cease-fire and full withdrawal.
Hamas studies Paris truce proposal involving 40-day pause and hostage exchange, source says
Hamas has received a draft proposal from Gaza truce talks in Paris, which includes a 40-day pause in military operations and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages at a ratio of 10 to one. The proposed ceasefire also includes repairing hospitals and bakeries in Gaza, delivering aid trucks and housing for the displaced. The talks aim to halt the fighting in Gaza and secure the release of hostages.
Russia says a plane with Ukrainian POWs crashes, killing all aboard, and accuses Kyiv of downing it
A Russian military transport plane crashed near Ukraine, with Moscow alleging it was shot down by Kyiv. Russia claims all 74 aboard, including 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, died. The video showed the plane crashing in a snowy area, but the cause remains unconfirmed. The Ukrainian president calls for an international investigation, while tensions escalate amid conflicting accusations. The incident adds to the complex narrative of the 700-day war, marked by information challenges and ongoing geopolitical dynamics.
Flight recorders from Russian plane crash that killed all 74 aboard are reportedly found
A Russian military transport plane crashed near Ukraine, killing all 74 on board. Moscow accused Kyiv of shooting it down during a prisoner swap, claiming 65 Ukrainian POWs were on board. No evidence was provided. Ukraine confirmed the swap's cancellation but lacked plane passenger details. While not directly responding, Kyiv noted Russian aircraft as legitimate targets. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy called for an international investigation, criticizing Russia's manipulation of POWs. The UN Security Council convened, but conflicting claims and limited hope for clarity characterize the situation amid the ongoing, static war.
41 hostage prison workers freed in Ecuador, 136 still captive
Over 40 Ecuador prison officials taken hostage by inmates amid a violent campaign by gangs have been released. The SNAI prisons agency stated that 24 guards and 17 administrative employees were freed, while 133 guards and three employees are still held hostage. President Daniel Noboa initiated a military crackdown on criminal groups, leading to a confrontation with narco gangs. The violence resulted in 19 deaths, including a guard killed in clashes in El Oro. The crisis also saw prison riots, escapes, and attacks on police, prompting a large-scale deployment of troops to restore order.
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