ICYMI | #154

Our weekly roundup of stories you may have missed.

Netanyahu threatens invasion of Rafah

25 Palestinians have now died from malnutrition as Israeli forces continue to continue to block aid deliveries and deliberately starve the population of Gaza. Netanyahu has announced his intention to press ahead with a ground invasion of Rafah, where the majority of Gazans are currently sheltering, despite the weak objections of US President Biden.

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces attacked worshippers with batons as Palestinians attempted to enter the Al-Aqsa Mosque for prayers marking the start of Ramadan. 25 Palestinians were arrested in overnight raids across the West Bank, bringing the total number of Palestinian detainees since 7 October to 7530. 

Sudan could become world's largest hunger crisis

The UN has demanded a ceasefire in Sudan during Ramadan, as the World Food Programme warns that the country could soon be home to the “world’s largest hunger crisis.”

Local mutual aid groups are currently providing vital support to millions, but efforts are hampered by a communications blackout imposed by the RSF paramilitary, which has been at war with the Sudanese Armed Forces since April last year. 25 million people – half of the country’s population – need relief as the country’s ongoing conflict enters its 12th month. 

Tibet protests - the anniversary of uprising

On the 65th Anniversary of the uprising against the Chinese annexation of Tibet, hundreds of protestors marched in New Delhi demanding that China end its occupation of the region. India recognises Tibet as a part of China but is home to many exiles including the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet.

The Tibetan parliament in exile accuses China of denying fundamental human rights to Tibetans and attempting to erase Tibetan cultural identity. These protests followed the arrest of over 1000 Tibetans in February 2024 during a non-violent protest against a dam project that would displace residents of two Tibetan villages.

Big tech wins in child labour trial

A US court has ruled in favour of tech giants Apple, Google, Tesla, Microsoft and Dell over their complicity in child labour in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite overwhelming evidence of big tech’s reliance on child labour – reports suggest that at least 25,000 children are currently employed by cobalt mining operations in DRC, where two-thirds of the world's cobalt is mined – judges ruled that the companies had only a ‘buyer-seller relationship’ with suppliers, and did not have the power to stop the use of child labour.

Lawyers said that the ruling provides the companies with "a strong incentive to avoid any transparency with their suppliers, even as they promise the public they have 'zero tolerance' policies against child labour."

Senegal election rescheduled

Senegal has announced it will hold presidential elections on 24 March, triggering the start of a shortened period of campaigning for the eligible candidates. The new date was set after current president Macky Sall postponed the elections planned for 25 February – a decision overturned by the country’s Constitutional Council. The postponement sparked several violent protests across the country in which at least three people were killed.

Women protest against Taliban in Afghanistan

On 8 March, feminists across the globe marched to fight patriarchal violence that continues to manifest itself in femicides, sexual violence, and discrimination. In Afghanistan 2.5 years into the Taliban rule banning women from pursuing education and independence, Afghan women from the Purple Saturdays Movement gathered on 8 March demanding the restrictions on their freedom to be lifted. Small protests were staged in several locations despite the heavy crackdown and arrest of women voicing opposition to the Taliban rule.

Haiti extends state of emergency

In Haiti, gang leaders have called on Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign and blocked him from reentering the country. Henry is returning from Kenya, where he intended to garner international support to regain control over Haiti. The recent increase in gang violence has seen 15,000 people newly displaced and forced health facilities to close down, worsening the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Haiti has extended its state of emergency until 3 April and Caribbean leaders have met in Jamaica to discuss the situation.

Prints for Palestine

PRINTS FOR PALESTINE is an online print sale raising funds for the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Curated by Joshua Missah, the sale features the work of 66 artists. Each print costs €33. Head to Gaze Contemporary to see the full series.

Carving new paths

Héloïse Leclercq speaks to Ifeoluwa, Flore, ophélie & Vanille about the state of the electronic music industry for women, trans and non-binary artists. Head to our website to read about their experi, inspirations and the initiatives striving to make a difference. Read here.

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Header image: Freedom Concert for Tibet (c) Christophe Losberger, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEED.