The Ukrainian counter-offensive continues

Early on New Year's Day, Russia suffered a devastating blow in their ongoing conflict in Ukraine when a Ukrainian missile strike hit a temporary Russian barracks at a vocational college in the occupied Donetsk region. There were a number of reported failings on the Russian side that led to this catastrophe. Firstly, a huge number of conscripts were packed into a cramped building, putting them at huge risk from an attack by the Ukrainians. Second, ammunition was being stored close to the site, which detonated when the missile hit. These two factors caused anger in Russia in the days after the strike, as many Russian commentators and even some politicians questioned the apparent lack of care paid to the safety of soldiers by Russian commanders. In total, Russian officials have confirmed the deaths of 89 servicemen. Having previously said that 63 people were killed in the strike, although Ukraine claims this figure is closer to 400, Either way, Russia has acknowledged that this is the worst military loss since the war in Ukraine began

A rare public commemoration was held in the Russian city of Samara, where some of the troops came from. Around 200 people laid roses and wreaths in the central square, and an Orthodox priest recited a prayer. Russia's Defense Ministry has put out a statement that claims the attack happened as a result of Russian troops using mobile phones, which in turn allowed the Ukrainian military to discover the location of the troops. The Defense Ministry said four rockets from US-made Himmel launchers hit the building that housed the troops, causing the ceilings to collapse. The ministry said that a commission is investigating the circumstances of the attack. It's additionally been reported that the deputy commander of the regiment that was being housed at the college, Lt. Col. Fortuin, was among those killed. Ultimately, the Russian government has announced that there will be an investigation into the incident, and those found guilty will be swiftly brought to justice. The statement went on to say that steps were being taken to ensure that a similar event did not occur again. President Putin additionally signed a decree yesterday that states that the families of National Guard soldiers killed in service should be paid 5 million rubles, equivalent to $69,000.

Controversial visit by Ben-Gvir

A recent visit to a Jerusalem holy site by Israel's new far-right national security minister has been condemned as an unprecedented provocation by Palestinians and also by some Israelis. On Tuesday, Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa compound, which is one of Islam's holiest sites and known as the most sacred site in Judaism, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. It's a major flashpoint in the Israel-Palestine conflict, and Palestinian authorities said Ben Graves' visit was a dangerous escalation of the conflict. Jewish people and other non-Muslims are allowed to visit the compound but not pray, though this is something that Ben-Gvir has previously said he wants to change. He said he would not be deterred from his visit and that those who make threats will be dealt with with an iron fist. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who previously warned him against the visit, has said that he will not allow any changes to the delicate status quo. Former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid described it as a deliberate provocation that endangers lives.While the White House said any unilateral action that jeopardizes the status quo is unacceptable,

Poland's WW2 reparation

In October last year, the Polish government made an official request to enter into talks with Germany over Second World War reparations, which Poland estimated at €1.3 trillion. On Tuesday, the Polish Foreign Ministry said that the German government had rejected the request, saying that the matter of reparations and compensation for war losses remains closed and that Germany does not intend to enter into negotiations on this matter. Poland has turned to the UN to seek cooperation and support in its efforts to secure reparations, but there has not been any response so far. Germany maintains that the question of Nazi occupation reparations for Poland was settled in 1953, when Poland's then-communist government, under pressure from the Soviet Union, relinquished any claims to financial reparations. Since taking office in 2015, Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party has revived calls for compensation and called the 1953 decision invalid—a move that has strained relations with Germany.

Strange Members of the British Parliament

It was recently revealed by Virginia Crosbie, a Welsh Conservative MP, that she wears a stab vest when meeting constituents following the murder of Sir David Amos in 2021. British members of Parliament have been re-evaluating their approach to interacting with the public. Sir David was a sitting Conservative MP who was stabbed when meeting members of the public in South End. Ms. Crosby directly referenced this murder when discussing her reasoning behind wearing the vest. Along with this, she said that she doesn't feel safe as an MP and that she's received death threats and abuse for her work as an MP. She is not the only MP who has publicly stated that she has chosen to wear stab-proof vests. Conservative MP Mike Freer told the Times that he's also won stab vests when meeting constituents, along with carrying panic alarms on his person.