Al Jazeera

With elections one month away, the media discourse in Israel has narrowed in on one question about one man: What did Benjamin Netanyahu know before October 7? The prime minister is suing the Israeli newspaper that reported the claim, while the right-wing Channel 14 insists none of it matters. Missing from the coverage is any reckoning with what Israel has done in Gaza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years ago – One year into Israel's war on Gaza – The Listening Post investigated the inner workings of Western media’s reporting on the genocide. Based on interviews with more than a dozen insiders, it lifts the curtain on the inner workings of agenda-setting outlets like CNN, the BBC and The New York Times. Original air date: 05 October 2024.

India’s Cockroach Janta Party is calling for another senior official to resign. In July, protests by the youth-led movement saw the education minister quit. Now, it wants the chief of the election commission to step aside. Critics say he's overseeing an unfair review of the electoral roll. The revisions have led to the removal of tens of millions of eligible voters. The commission says reform is long overdue — and necessary to weed out duplicate entries. Protesters say it’s an assault on democracy and designed to benefit the governing BJP. So, will the Cockroach movement be successful again?

Unacceptable. That was the immediate reaction from the US President Donald Trump to Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says it's still awaiting what it called a "definitive response" from Washington through mediators. But Trump has said Iran needs a deal because, in his words, it's "losing badly." So, is his rejection of the proposal an effort to pressure Tehran for more concessions?

Already war-torn and under blockade for more than a decade, Yemen risks descending into another civil war. The Ansarullah Houthis have tightened their grip on islands in the Red Sea -- giving them control over a vital global shipping route. The fighting has unravelled a shaky ceasefire that had largely held since 2022. It comes as the Iran war has disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. So, what does it mean for this volatile region?

The leaders of China, Russia and Iran are among those attending the 11-nation BRICS summit in New Delhi this weekend. The meeting comes at a time when the Trump administration has jolted global trade. And the U.S. war with Iran has disrupted energy supplies. The conflict is a major test for the bloc's cohesion, with Tehran wanting condemnation of Washington. But BRICS also includes the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, two countries that have faced Iranian attacks. Will the members agree on a common stance on the war? And how far will they go in rebalancing the global economy?

Jamaica is petitioning the British king to refer three questions about the Transatlantic slave trade to a London court. Was the enslavement of Africans unlawful under English law at the time? Does it constitute crimes against humanity under international law? Does Britain therefore have a legal obligation to provide redress? Jamaica hopes the answers could establish a legal basis for reparations. This campaign is part of a broader push for countries to pay for their roles in the Transatlantic slave trade. A UN committee said last month that governments are obliged by law to consider paying damages.

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister. And he's hoping to win another term when voters choose a new parliament next month. He's spent most of the past three years fighting Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran. His aim was to end what he calls the existential threat from Israel's enemies. On October 27, his leadership will be put to the test, as recent opinion polls suggest the opposition is in the lead. So, does Netanyahu stand a chance of staying in power?

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the U.S. has provided Kyiv with billions of dollars in military assistance. Much of it was delivered during the Biden administration. President Donald Trump is now complaining that those weapons and ammunition were transferred free of charge. He says Europe should have covered the cost, and that the U.S. will be asking for that money back. Funding Ukraine’s defences against Russia has been a thorny issue between the U.S. and its European allies. With no end in sight to the fighting, will the two sides reach common ground—and keep supporting Kyiv?

The Achilles Shield is one of the largest military deals in Israel's history. It will see Greece take delivery of a multilayered air defence system to counter what it and Israel say are common threats. The multibillion-dollar agreement comes as tensions increase between Greece and Turkiye. The neighbours have been at odds over a range of territorial issues for more than five decades. Relations between Israel and Turkiye have also deteriorated. With Israel and Greece strengthening their alliance, what are the ramifications for the region?

A new deal between Caracas and Washington would give US companies access to more than a fifth of Venezuela's vast oil reserves. But there's opposition in Venezuela - as well as debate about whether the plan is legal. What could the agreement mean?

After nearly six months of war, the US appears to be taking a different approach to Iran. President Donald Trump said Washington will carry out what he described as a 'crushing economic operation'. Attempts to reach an agreement to end the war have stalled. Now, the US is calling on other countries to join what it calls the greatest co-ordinated economic isolation in the history of the world. For its part, Iran says that any countries joining the US campaign would be treated as enemies. What does this mean for the conflict?

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema boasts about the economic recovery achieved under his leadership. Now, he is seeking a second term in office. The vote is drawing international attention because the southern African nation is rich in critical minerals. But most Zambians don't reap the benefits of that wealth. The World Bank says 70% of the population survives on less than $3 a day. So, how will the outcome of these elections shape Zambia's politics?