Reuters: Hamas Says Gaza Ceasefire Efforts Are Back At Square One

“The Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Friday that efforts to find a Gaza Strip truce deal were back at square one after Israel effectively spurned a plan from international mediators, and the White House said it was trying to keep the sides engaged "if only virtually." Hamas said in a statement it would consult with other Palestinian factions on its strategy for talks to halt seven months of war triggered by its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hours earlier, the United Nations warned that aid for Gaza could grind to a halt in days after Israel seized control this week of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, a vital route for supplies to the devastated Palestinian enclave. Despite heavy U.S. pressure, Israel has said it will proceed with an assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than 1 million displaced people have sought refuge and Israeli forces say Hamas militants are dug in.”

Business Insider: Paul Pelosi Attacker Could Go Away For 40 Years — On Enhanced Charges Of Terrorism

“David DePape is facing a possible 40-year sentence for his 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of Rep. Nancy Pelosi. In a sentencing memo filed Friday and reviewed by Business Insider, prosecutors requested a terrorism enhancement be added to DePape's sentence. DePape still faces additional charges related to the attack, including attempted murder, that carry a potential sentence of 13 years to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty. Paul Pelosi suffered two skull fractures that required surgery to fix after DePape struck him in the head with a hammer in October 2022. The attack occurred after DePape broke into Pelosi's San Francisco home, seeking to kidnap then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and break her kneecaps to teach her that her "lies and corruption had a price," according to the memo. DePape was found guilty of the attack in November after about eight hours of jury deliberation. His sentencing is set for May 17.”

CEP Mentions

Belfast Telegraph: Ex-Jail Chief: ‘When I Visited IRA Members In The Maze, All I Saw Was Containment And Appeasement’

“A former jail chief from Northern Ireland who says the UK prison system has “collapsed into a hopeless and helpless bureaucracy” to become a breeding ground for terror has been inspired to act following a “bizarre” encounter with the IRA. In his newly-published book, Screwed, Ian Acheson lifts the lid on the “appalling state” of His Majesty’s Prison Service by highlighting a catalogue of failings which he claims has caused the system to crumble into “lethal disarray”. The ex-prison officer, who’s from Enniskillen, rose through the ranks to become governor within just 10 years and was tasked with conducting an independent review of Islamism in jails in 2016.”

Daily Mail: Life Inside Rat-Infested HMP Wandsworth Amid Calls For The Crumbling Victorian Jail To Be Placed Into Emergency Measures: Inmates Locked In Cells For 22 Hours A Day, Chronic Staff Shortages And 'Chaotic' Wings Plagued By Violence And Drug Abus

“...Ian Acheson, the former head of security at HMP Wandsworth and author of Screwed: Britain's Prison Crisis and How To Escape It, said the inspections revealed a prison where staff had lost control. 'When we were running Wandsworth we had the right number of staff who were experienced and clearly in charge of the environment,' he told MailOnline. 'It was by no means a perfect place but there far fewer assaults on prisoners and far less suicide, self-harm and despair. One of the main reasons why all that has fallen apart is the overcrowding and the lack of experienced staff.”

Inside Time: Governor Quits At Failing Wandsworth Prison

“…Responding to Price’s resignation and the inspectors’ findings, prisons commentator Ian Acheson – formerly a security governor at Wandsworth – said on social media: “It was an honourable – and unusual – move for the Governor to carry the can for failures that the Ministry of Justice and the thousands of non-operational bureaucrats notionally supporting the place were aware of but seemingly helpless to arrest for years to this point. “Everything that could go wrong at Wandsworth to make a high profile escape possible last year did go wrong and continues so to do. You would have thought here was a jail that needed acute corporate management support…. It’s hard to imagine what the HQ ‘help’ was that only accelerated such decline. Staff had no idea where most unlocked prisoners were, no consistent regime, 69 per cent of prisoners reported unsafe, violence up, close to half on drugs, a third of inexperienced staff undeployable, ‘burnt out’.”

United States

Associated Press: Blinken Delivers Some Of The Strongest US Public Criticism Of Israel’s Conduct Of The War In Gaza

“Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday delivered some of the Biden administration’s strongest public criticism yet of Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza, saying Israeli tactics have meant “a horrible loss of life of innocent civilians” but failed to neutralize Hamas leaders and fighters and could drive a lasting insurgency. In a pair of TV interviews, Blinken underscored that the United States believes Israeli forces should “get out of Gaza,” but also is waiting to see credible plans from Israel for security and governance in the territory after the war. Hamas has reemerged in parts of Gaza, Blinken said, and “heavy action” by Israeli forces in the southern city of Rafah risks leaving America’s closest Mideast ally “holding the bag on an enduring insurgency.” He said the United States has worked with Arab countries and others for weeks on developing “credible plans for security, for governance, for rebuilding’’ in Gaza, but ”we haven’t seen that come from Israel. ... We need to see that, too.””

Associated Press: Campus Protests Over Israel-Hamas War Scaled Down During US Commencement Exercises

“Protests over the Israel-Hamas war have spread across U.S. university and college campuses in recent weeks, leading to disruptions and arrests. Some demonstrations extended into weekend graduation celebrations, although they were muted in comparison to the encampments and rallies that have roiled campuses and resulted in nearly 2,900 arrests of students and other protesters. Most of the commencement exercises took place as scheduled and remained largely peaceful. Here is a look at some of the ceremonies that included protests: Dozens of the 7,000 graduates at Duke University left their seats to protest pro-Israel speaker and comedian Jerry Seinfeld during the commencement in Durham, North Carolina, on Sunday. Some waved the red, green, black and white Palestinian flag and chanted “Free Palestine” amid a mix of boos and cheers.”

Syria

Associated Press: Syria’s Kurdish-Led Force Hands Over 2 Is Militants Suspected In 2014 Mass Killing Of Iraqi Troops

“Syria’s U.S.-backed Kurdish-led force has handed over to Baghdad two Islamic State group militants suspected of involvement in mass killings of Iraqi soldiers in 2014, a war monitor said Friday. The report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights came a day after the Iraqi National Intelligence Service said it had brought back to the country three IS members from outside Iraq. The intelligence service did not provide more details. The Islamic State group captured an estimated 1,700 Iraqi soldiers after seizing Saddam Hussein ’s hometown of Tikrit in 2014. The soldiers were trying to flee from nearby Camp Speicher, a former U.S. base. Shortly after taking Tikrit, IS posted graphic images of IS militants shooting and killing the soldiers. Farhad Shami, a spokesman for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, said the U.S.-backed force handed over two IS members to Iraq. It was not immediately clear where Iraqi authorities brought the third suspect from.”

Iraq

Reuters: Iraq Requests End Of UN Assistance Mission By End-2025

“Iraq has requested that a United Nations assistance mission set up after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of the country end its work by the end of 2025, saying it was no longer needed because Iraq had made significant progress towards stability. The mission, headquartered in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, was set up with a wide mandate to help develop Iraqi institutions, support political dialogue and elections, and promote human rights. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Iraq wanted to deepen cooperation with other U.N. organisations but there was no longer a need for the political work of the U.N. assistance mission, known as UNAMI. The mission's head in Iraq often shuttles between top political, judicial and security officials in work that supporters see as important to preventing and resolving conflicts but critics have often described as interference.”

Pakistan

The New York Times: Violent Unrest Over Economic Strife Erupts In Pakistan’s Kashmir Region

“Vast protests have broken out in the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir, driven by outrage over soaring electricity bills and flour prices in a region that has long suffered economically because of its status as a conflict zone. In an attempt to quell the growing unrest — which has led to a widespread strike and left one police officer dead and 90 injured — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called an emergency meeting for Monday in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. As protesters planned to march this week to Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, the authorities suspended internet service in many areas and shut down schools in the city. “I have never seen such a large-scale uprising in Pakistan-administered Kashmir,” said Mubashar Naqvi, a Muzaffarabad resident and a teacher at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “This protest is unique because it unites people from all walks of life in demanding basic necessities.””

Middle East

Associated Press: Israel Orders New Evacuations In Gaza’s Last Refuge Of Rafah As It Expands Military Offensive

“Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to leave as it prepared to expand its military operation deeper into what is considered Gaza’s last refuge, in defiance of growing pressure from close ally the United States and others. As pro-Palestinian protests continued against the war, Israel’s military also said it was moving into an area of devastated northern Gaza where it asserted that the Hamas militant group has regrouped after seven months of fighting. Israel has now evacuated the eastern third of Rafah, and top military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said dozens of militants had been killed there as “targeted operations continued.” The United Nations has warned that the planned full-scale Rafah invasion would further cripple humanitarian operations and cause a surge in civilian deaths.”

Associated Press: Israel Moves Deeper Into Rafah And Fights Hamas Militants Regrouping In Northern Gaza

“The exodus of Palestinians from Gaza’s last refuge accelerated Sunday as Israeli forces pushed deeper into the southern city of Rafah. Israel also pounded the territory’s devastated north, where some Hamas militants have regrouped in areas the military said it had cleared months ago. Rafah is considered Hamas’ last stronghold. Some 300,000 of the more than 1 million civilians sheltering there have fled the city following evacuation orders from Israel, which says it must invade to dismantle Hamas and return scores of hostages taken from Israel in the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war. Neighboring Egypt issued its strongest objection yet to the Rafah offensive, saying it intends to formally join South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice alleging Israel is committing genocide in Gaza — an accusation Israel rejects.”

Somalia

Garowe Online: Somalia: Barrels Of Duel Destined To Al-Shabaab Strongholds, Seized

“Elite troops from the Somali National Army (SNA) have seized several barrels of fuel destined for Al-Shabaab strongholds in central Somalia, officials said, in the latest crackdown targeting the group in various frontlines across the country. The militants had acquired the fuel from unknown merchants and were transporting it to their strongholds in El Dheer District within the Mudug region, officials said. The fuel can sometimes be used in making Explosive Devices (IEDs). By count, military officials said, over 50 barrels were seized from the militants with the support of militias loyal to the government, who nabbed those responsible for transportation. The military has been carrying out operations within central Somalia. The government deployed several Somali National Army (SNA) officials in central regions and has been getting assistance from the local militia, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and the US Africa Command.”

Africa

Bloomberg: Islamic State Stages Boldest Attack In Mozambique In Three Years

“Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked the town of Macomia in Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado province, according to people with knowledge of the matter, in what is their boldest raid in more than three years. The violence is the latest in a string of attacks since December. It signals an escalation in unrest just as the Mozambican government is pushing for TotalEnergies SE to resume development of a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project that it froze in 2021 after insurgents raided the nearby town of Palma, killing more than 800 people. The rebels attacked Macomia before dawn on two fronts, two of the people said, asking not to be identified as they’re not authorized to speak to the media. Portuguese news agency Lusa reported that more than 100 fighters were involved in the attack, citing people it didn’t identify. Cabo Delgado Governor Valige Tauabo didn’t immediately respond to calls and a text message seeking comment.”

Associated Press: Sudan’s Military Fends Off An Attack By Paramilitary Forces On A Major Darfur City

“Sudan’s military and allied armed groups staved off an attack by a paramilitary group and Arab militias on a major city in the western region of Darfur, officials and residents said Saturday. The attack Friday was the latest by the Arab-dominated Rapid Support Forces against el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering, many of them having fled fighting elsewhere in Darfur. The RSF, which has been at war with the military for more than a year, has built forces up in recent months to wrestle control of el-Fasher, the last city that is still held by the military in the sprawling Darfur region. Sudan’s conflict began in April last year when soaring tensions between the leaders of the military and the RSF exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum and elsewhere in the country.”

United Kingdom

Associated Press: UK Foreign Secretary Says Halting Arms Sales To Israel Would Only Strengthen Hamas

“Halting arms exports to Israel is “not a wise path” and would only strengthen Hamas, Britain’s foreign secretary said Sunday. Asked whether the U.K. would follow the U.S. in threatening to cut the supply of offensive weapons to Israel if it carried out an attack on the southern Gaza city of Rafah, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said the two countries cannot be compared because unlike the U.S., Britain supplies a very small amount of Israel’s weapons. “The U.K. provides less than 1% of Israel’s weapons and it’s not a state supplier,” Cameron told the BBC on Sunday. “We have a licensing system and those licences can be closed if it’s judged there’s a serious risk of a serious international human rights violation.” U.S. President Joe Biden has said that his government will stop supplying weapons and artillery to Israel if its forces launch an all-out assault on Rafah, the last major Hamas stronghold in Gaza.”

Germany

Associated Press: German Court Backs Intelligence Agency’s Designation Of Far-Right Party As Suspected Extremist Case

“Germany’s domestic intelligence agency was justified in designating the far-right Alternative for Germany as a suspected case of extremism, a court ruled Monday, rejecting an appeal from the opposition party. The administrative court in Muenster ruled in favor of the BfV intelligence agency, upholding a 2022 decision by a lower court in Cologne, German news agency dpa reported. Alternative for Germany, or AfD, has rejected the designation strongly. The party could still seek to appeal the verdict at a federal court. AfD was formed in 2013 and has moved steadily to the right over the years. Its platform initially centered on opposition to bailouts for struggling eurozone members, but its vehement opposition to then-Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to allow in large numbers of refugees and other migrants in 2015 established the party as a significant political force.”

Russia

Reuters: Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Church Attack In Chechnya

“The Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on a church in Russia's Chechnya republic that killed three people, the group's Amaq news agency said on Sunday. The group offered no evidence in support of the claim. Four people attacked the Orthodox church on Saturday, killing two policemen and a churchgoer, Russia's investigative committee said in a statement. The attackers were killed. "Islamic State fighters executed an attack on 'Michael' Church yesterday in Chechnya's capital, Grozny," Amaq said. Russia, which hosts the soccer World Cup next month, has fought two wars with separatists in the mainly Muslim internal republic since the 1991 Soviet collapse, but such attacks have become relatively rare in Chechnya. The wider North Caucasus region remains volatile, however, with unemployment and corruption pushing some to embrace radical Islam.”

Technology

ABC: Federal Court Chooses Not To Extend Temporary Order Blocking Terrorist Attack Vision On Social Media Platform X

“The Federal Court has chosen not to extend a temporary order for social media company X, formerly Twitter, to hide videos of a Sydney terrorist stabbing globally. The eSafety Commissioner has been trying to force the platform to take down about 60 instances of the footage, showing an attack on Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel in Wakeley in Western Sydney, in April. Under the Online Safety Act, passed in 2021, the Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, has the power to demand the removal of so-called "class 1 material", under threat of significant fines. In the days following the stabbing, X agreed to "geoblock" the posts, meaning most Australian users could no longer see them, and refused the eSafety Commissioner's removal notice, which would have had a global effect.”