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International affairs, events, and conflicts

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Russia found responsible for MH17 plane crash: UN
The United Nations has found Russia responsible for the downing of flight MH17 in 2014, in a landmark ruling. The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST) ruled that Russia broke international aviation law under the Chicago Convention, the foundational treaty governing international civil aviation, and was responsible for downing the civilian aircraft over a decade ago. The Malaysia Airlines flight was travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, but was shot down over eastern Ukraine, with an investigation determining that it was hit by a Russian surface-to-air missile. All 298 on board were killed, including 38 Australian citizens and residents. Credit: RB Photos via FlickrInitially the Netherlands established a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) in August 2014 together with Australia, Malaysia and Belgium, as well as Ukraine, but in 2022 the case that saw results this week was brought forward to the ICAO by Australia and the Netherlands. Foreign Minister Penny Wong welcomed the ruling, describing it as “a historic moment in the pursuit of truth, justice and accountability". “In reaching its decision, the ICAO Council has upheld the fundamental principl
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Hamas frees last living US citizen from Gaza
Hamas has freed its last living United States citizen hostage from Gaza, 21-year-old soldier Edan Alexander. The move acts as an offer of goodwill towards the Trump administration that could eventuate into groundwork for a ceasefire with Israel. Alexander, a dual-national serving in the Israel Defence Forces, spent 584 days in captivity after he was seized from his base on 7 October 2023. The deal was reached with little Israeli involvement. While there is no ceasefire upon his return, Israel paused fighting from midday to handover, which came as UN-backed experts warned that half a million Palestinians face starvation in Gaza due to Israel’s weeks-long siege. He was dressed in civilian clothes when handed over to a Red Cross official, and his family from the U.S. flew over to meet him after initial check-ups. Alexander told Israeli soldiers that he was handcuffed with the other hostages in a cage inside a tunnel. Trump took to his social platform Truth Social, to celebrate Alexander's release. “Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage, is being released,” he posted. “Congratulations to his wonderful parents, family, and friends!” In a statement, Hamas called for more work to be done to end the war
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Delicate ceasefire struck between India, Pakistan holds
A fragile ceasefire deal between India and Pakistan seems to be holding, after both nations accused each other of violating the agreement just one day in. The deal was struck on Sunday, after being brokered by over 30 other countries including the United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Qatar and Türkiye. Both nuclear-armed nations were engaged in days of brutal fighting prior to the ceasefire, involving missiles and drones and resulting in dozens of fatalities. Diplomatic pressure from the U.S. seemed to push India and Pakistan toward the agreement. In the aftermath, United States President Donald Trump praised the “brave” move towards peace and said he would look towards a solution to Kashmir. Kashmir is a hotly disputed part of both nations, administered by both India and Pakistan depending on the region. “I am very proud of the strong and unwaveringly powerful leadership of India and Pakistan for having the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to fully know and understand that it was time to stop the current aggression that could have led to the death and destruction of so many, and so much,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision. While
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Vatican Conclave decides: Leo XIV is named new Pope
Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost has been elected as the 267th Bishop of Rome by the Vatican's Conclave. The first words of Pope Leo XIV were “Peace be with all of you.” Dominique Mamberti, Cardinal Protodeacon of Rome, announced the new pope to the crowds waiting for the announcement from the central loggia of Saint Peter's Basilica. Annuntio vobis gaudium:HABEMUS PAPAMEminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum Robertum Franciscum Sanctae Romane Ecclesiae Cardinalem Prevost qui sibi nomen imposuit Leo XIV (translation) I announce to you a great joy: WE HAVE A POPE The Most Eminent and Most Reverend Lord Robert Francis Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Prevost who has taken the name Leo XIV. Pope Leo, 69, will be the first American-born pope. In the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, white smoke abounded from the roof at about 6 pm on Thursday, Rome time (2 am on Friday AEST), which signified the selection of a new pope. Pope Francis, 88, died last month, prompting the election. The Conclave, a top-secret process to select a successor to Francis, who had a 12-year papacy, involved 133 cardinals from five continents. Prevost was elected by Catholic cardinals on the fourth ballot. Vatican leadership t
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Conflict: India-Pakistan relations hang in the balance
Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated dramatically following India’s missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on 22 April. The Indian government confirmed that nine terror camps were targeted and successfully destroyed under Operation Sindoor, a military response aimed at dismantling militant networks. The strikes have drawn international attention, with the United States, the United Kingdom, and China issuing travel advisories for the region. Pakistan has condemned the strikes as an “act of war”, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing a “befitting reply”. The Pakistani military claimed that three locations were hit - Bahawalpur in Punjab Province, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir - and has warned that it will respond at a time and place of its choosing. Islamabad has also accused India of killing civilians, contradicting New Delhi’s assertion that the strikes exclusively targeted terrorist camps. The situation has further deteriorated with reports that Pakistan has test-fired the Abdali missile, with a 450-kilometre range, in what analysts describe as a provocative move. Meanwhile,

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Catholic conclave convenes to elect the next pope
The conclave to elect a new pope begins on 7 May at 10am (AEST) with a public holy mass at St Peter’s Basilica. The cardinals have already begun checking into hotels and are barred from the outside world as they decide who will succeed Pope Francis. After the mass, the cardinals will head to the Sistine Chapel, where all cardinals under 80 will cast their first vote for who will be the new leader of the 1.4 billion-member church. While some possible front-runners have been named, many of the 133 cardinals expected to vote said they don’t know who will be elected as the next pope. This year’s conclave is also set to be the most geographically diverse in the church’s history with speakers from 70 countries. The Conclave is likely to be spread out over multiple days, with the longest conclave lasting 1,006 days back in the 13th century. Recent conclaves have been shorter, lasting just two days in 2005 and 2013. There are multiple rounds of voting and to be elected the contender must win two-thirds of the vote to become pope. During the conclave period the voting cardinals will stay in two Vatican guesthouses and take an oath to remain out of contact with anyone not participating in the secret vote. French Card
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India says it hit terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan
Explosions were heard in Pakistan and Pakistan Kashmir from a planned attack by India on "terrorist infrastructure". According to an initial assessment from Pakistan, at least three people died and 12 were injured in the blast that targeted nine sites. “A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,” a statement from the Indian government said. The Indian statement said the attacks were in retaliation for a Pahalgam terrorist attack where 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen died. However, Pakistan has denied it had anything to do with the attack. “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature,” the statement said. “No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and the method of execution.” In response, Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan plans to strike back. "The cunning enemy has carried out a cowardly attack on five locations in Pakistan,” he said. “Pakistan has every right to give a befit
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Israel weighs Gaza seizure in expanded offensive
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday confirmed plans for a more “intensive” military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as his government approved a strategy that may ultimately involve full seizure and occupation of the territory. The move, endorsed unanimously by Israel’s security cabinet, includes the mobilisation of reservists and shifting control of humanitarian aid into the hands of the Israeli military. Netanyahu said in a video message that the expanded offensive would involve prolonged ground operations. "The intention is the opposite" of previous tactics, he said, referring to short raids from outside the enclave. He added that more civilians in Gaza would be moved "for their own safety". According to a report from Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the newly approved strategy will unfold gradually, potentially over several months, beginning with military operations in a specific region of the enclave. An Israeli defence official noted that operations would not escalate further until after United States President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the Middle East next week. Israel has already taken control of around one-third of Gaza, displacing large sections of the population and estab
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Lady Gaga bomb plot targeted LGBTQ crowds: Brazil chiefs
Brazilian authorities thwarted a planned attack targeting LGBTQ+ attendees at Lady Gaga’s free concert in Rio de Janeiro, arresting two suspects linked to an online hate group. The concert, held at Copacabana Beach, drew an estimated 2.1 million fans, making it one of the largest live music events in the country. The suspects allegedly attempted to recruit individuals, including teenagers, to carry out coordinated attacks using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails. Their goal, according to police, was to gain notoriety on social media. The arrested individuals were part of a radicalised online network that promoted hate crimes, self-harm, and violent content. Authorities revealed that the suspects posed as “Little Monsters”, the nickname for Lady Gaga’s fans, to lure potential recruits to their extremist agenda. The police operation, dubbed “Fake Monster”, led to multiple raids across Brazil, uncovering illegal weapons and child pornography. One suspect was charged with terror offences, while another was arrested for illegal firearm possession. Despite the serious nature of the plot, the concert proceeded without disruption, with security forces deploying thousands of officers, drones, and facial recognition