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IN MINNEAPOLIS, THE FIRST DAYS AFTER GEORGE Floyd's killing exist in memory as kind of a blur. Almost two weeks after now former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck, the Minneapolis city council concluded that its police department was beyond reform and must instead be replaced. Today, in Camden, officers have a mandate to de-escalate as often as possible. While Wysocki acknowledges that Camden's original police department was essentially "defunded" when it was shut down, he worries that a national movement to shift dollars away from law enforcement may hit departments in their budgets for officer training, the very aspect he believes has contributed to his city's turnaround. [Extracted from the article]

Iran is one of Syria's few allies, yet its people were also victims of horrific chemical weapons attacks during the 1980-88 war with Iraq. Some analysts suggest that Iran - [...]

The article discusses the reported power of Israeli news anchor-turned political leader Yair Lapid as of February 2013, focusing on an analysis of the January 22, 2012 election day success of Lapid's Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) political party in Israel, as well as Lapid's work as a weekly columnist in the "Yediot Aharnont" newspaper. Israeli political scientist Reuven Hazan compares Lapid to American talk show host Oprah Winfrey. Right-wing activism in Israel is addressed, along with the country's secular middle class.

The article looks at the Muslim Brotherhood religious and political organization in Egypt as of December 2012. It recounts the group's history, including its 1928 founding by Hassan al-Banna. It notes the group was forced to operate as an underground operation for decades leading up to the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and analyzes its effort to reshape itself into an effective governing party following the 2012 election of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. Topics include Islamic radicalism, the draft Egyptian constitution, and secular parties.

The article discusses Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and his impact on the political and social conditions in the Middle East as of December 2012, focusing on an assessment of Morsi's decision to issue an emergency decree which gives him additional powers such as immunity from judicial challenges in regards to his political decisions. It states that critics of Morsi claim that his ability to take any and all necessary measures to protect the national security of Egypt equates to a dictatorship. The state of democracy in Egypt is also examined.

The article discusses armed conflict between Israel and Palestine on the Gaza Strip as of December 2012, with a focus on the history of political violence between Gaza and Israel. Topics include missiles fired by militant Palestinian groups; Israel's military capacity displayed in its aerial bombing campaign of Gaza known as Operation Pillar of Defense; Israel's antimissile shield; and the level of civilian casualties in Palestine. The improving weapons range of Hamas, the ruling group in Palestine, is presented, along with Egypt's claim to the Gaza area.

The article discusses Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his reportedly nonviolent movement for Palestinian statehood as of October 2012, including information on Abbas' speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in which he asked the international body to grant Palestine full membership in the UN. The UN nonmember observer state Palestine and its ability to petition the International Criminal Court to investigate alleged war crimes against Palestinians are also addressed.

The article presents information on the ultra-Orthodox Jewish population in Jerusalem. The author looks at the impact that the ultra-Orthodox are having on Israel's national identity, the neighborhood of Kiryat Yovel which houses many secular Jews, and the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. The article also discusses the relations between ultra-Orthodox Jews such as Elhanan Gibli and New Jews such as Noam Pinchasi in Jerusalem and the changing demography in the city due to an increase in the ultra-Orthodox population.

The article discusses the violent regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad and the deteriorating conditions within the borders of Syria as of August 6, 2012. It states that the country could actually take a turn for the worse if the killings in country, including those carried out by Assad's Alawite militia known as Shabiha, continue to increase. It also mentions that Syria could get worse if the nation's conflict reaches out beyond its borders into the neighboring lands of Iraq or Lebanon, or if chemical or biological weapons are used.

The article considers the election of Mohamed Morsy, the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood political movement, as President of Egypt in 2012. The continued dominant role of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in Egypt's government due to limits it placed on the powers of the President prior to Morsy's election is considered. The role of Egypt's armed forces in the revolution of 2011 is discussed. Efforts by Morsy to reconcile with secular opposition groups prominent in the 2011 revolution are examined.

The article discusses Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, focusing on his political power following a coalition with the rival Kadima party in Israel, his reportedly high public approval rating, and his relationship with U.S. President Barack Obama. Israel's contentious relationship with Iran is examined, including Iran's public threat to use nuclear weapons against Israel. Several photographs of Netanyahu are also presented. Benzion Netanyahu, Benjamin's father and a historian, is also mentioned.

The article focuses on the role young people are playing in protest movements and political change in the Middle East in 2011. Political science professor Hassan Nafaa refers to the young protesters as the Miracle generation and admits that a couple years back he would not have believed his students would be responsible for democratic change in Egypt. The article talks about internet search company Google executive Wael Ghonim who helped organize young Egyptians protest across the country, and Palestinian activist Fadi Quran who is working to unite the Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fatah. It mentions that while there is disappointment President Barack Obama and the U.S. have continued to support repressive regimes, there have been few instances of Obama being burned in effigy.

The article examines U.S. foreign relations with Iran under the administration of President Donald Trump. It discusses Trump's response to a January 29, 2017 ballistic missile test by Iran, the impact of Trump's ban on immigrants from seven countries including Iran, and how the two countries approach conditions in Syria.

The article focuses on the social effect that the separation barrier in Israel is having on Palestinian opinions concerning Israelis. It talks about the opinions and beliefs of Palestinian youth Ramzi Thaer Rafik, who hasn't seen an Israeli since 2005 and whose father used to work as a gardener in a hospital in Jerusalem and now builds houses in Ramallah. It mentions that some Israeli peace activists, such as book publisher Ilana Hammerman, smuggle Palestinians across checkpoints in their cars for illicit trips to Israeli malls and beaches to reach out to Palestinians. It comments that the majority of Palestianian youth are not in favor of reconciliation and do not support direct negotiations with Israel or believe Palestine will ever be a state.

The article reports on Israeli culture and society as of September 13, 2010. It is said that Israelis in general feel well-off and secure, and are largely uninterested in political efforts to resolve their country's longstanding conflict with the Palestinian Arabs. Several Israelis are quoted expressing the opinion that focusing on having fun in the present is both more pleasant and more achievable than trying to resolve intractable political quarrels or worrying about the future. The prosperity of the city of Tel Aviv, Israel, and its vibrant beach culture are discussed, and the widespread Israeli belief that Palestinians are neither interested in peace nor interesting is noted.

The article discusses the political climate in Israel in the aftermath of the raid on the flotilla ship Mavi Marmara in May 2010. The flotilla had been attempting to break through Israel's naval blockade of Gaza when Israeli commandos boarded the ship, killing nine people. According to the author, Israel has been reflexively using military force irrespective of the problems it faces, causing condemnation from not only many in the international community but also within Israel. Ron Pundak, director of the Peres Center for Peace notes that Israel must determine how it wants to move forward into the future by choosing either to promote an image of innovation and democracy or one of occupation and confrontational rightist politics.

In the article, the author discusses the social and political developments in the U.S. as of November 2016, particularly the effects of the victory of Republican party nominee Donald Trump in the presidential election. Also cited are the protests denouncing Trump's victory, the reported surge in hate crimes, and the comments from such Americans as student activist Anjali Emsellem on the developments.

The article celebrates the life and career of former Israeli political leader Shimon Peres who died in 2016, and it mentions the history of Israeli-Palestinian relations, Peres' role in developing the Israel Defense Forces military group, and the Oslo Accords peace negotiations.

The article looks at the case of Ahmad Khan Rahami, the Afghan immigrant who was allegedly responsible for the explosion on Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan, New York on September 17, 2016, and what it says about the loyalty of Muslims. It discusses the radicalization of Muslims following U.S. invasion of Muslim countries following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Data provided shows the importance of faith and worship for Muslims and their perception of life in the U.S.

The article discusses the author's claim that terrorist groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda have failed to claim responsibility for a fatal accident involving airline company EgyptAir Holding Co.'s Flight 804 on May 19, 2016, and it mentions terrorism specialists' views. According to the article, terrorist groups tend to act quickly in terms of publicly claiming their roles in acts of airplane terrorism. Bombs, lone wolf terrorists, and newly-formed terror groups are examined.

The article offers information on the increase in terrorism by the Islamic State and the decrease in the territories under its control in Syria and Iraq. According to the author, the aim of the Islamic State is to prevent Muslims and non-Muslims from living together. The author says that the city of Palmyra in Syria was recaptured by the forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russia in March 2016.

The article features the selection of Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and frontline health workers as the Guardians of the Year by the magazine "Time" for 2020. Fauci and health care workers have been recognized for leading the battle against COVID-19. They have been commended for their selflessness, compassion, stamina and courage during the pandemic.

The article discusses the political leadership and actions of Atlanta, Georgia Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms when anti-racist protesters vandalized the city. Also cited are the accomplishments of Bottoms in the area of criminal justice like hiking police pay by 30% and reducing mass incarceration, and her possible selection as vice presidential candidate for the Democratic party.

The article features Fox News Channel's Chris Wallace and his accomplishments in his broadcast journalism career. Also cited are Wallace's book "Countdown 1945" about the presidency of Harry S. Truman in the U.S. and the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, a brief family history of Wallace, and the comment of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wallace.

American campuses are currently experiencing protests by students in response to the deaths of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. These protests are reminiscent of the divestment campaign against apartheid South Africa in the 1980s. The younger generation, who have only known Israel's occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza, are more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause compared to older generations who remember Israel's establishment as a safe place for Jews after the Holocaust. This conflict has once again made colleges the center for moral debates in the United States. Student photojournalists have been documenting these protests, which have been largely ignored by the professional press. [Extracted from the article]

President Ebrahim Raisi's helicopter crashed in the northwest of Iran on Sunday, May 19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the families pressing relentlessly for the release of their loved ones taken hostage, moving forward is a contradiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaza's food supplies were at risk of weaponization well before the current conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an interview with Art Spiegelman, an American cartoonist, editor, and comics advocate best known for his graphic novel Maus.

The article addresses challenges facing journalists when it comes to freedom of the press. Topics discussed include remarks from Robert Mahoney of the Committee to Protect Journalists, an advocacy group based in New York City, journalists awarded the Peace Prize by the Nobel Committee on October 8, 2021 which includes Dmitry Muratov and Maria Ressa, and physical threats to journalists.

The article discusses how dangerous the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group is in the wake of the downing of Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 which was enroute from Egypt to St. Petersburg, Russia on October 31, 2015. The al-Qaeda terrorist organization is mentioned, along with Russian military airstrikes in Syria and the deaths of 224 air travelers due to a suspected bomb on the Russian Metrojet aircraft. ISIS' caliphate, the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist group, and Muslim politics are examined.

The article discusses the July 11, 2015 prison escape of Mexican drug trafficker Joaquín Guzmán, also known as El Chapo, and how it has raised concerns about the primacy of Mexico's national government. It provides information on the political party Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), known for its corruption which led to the economic growth of the country's drug trade.

An interview with Maria Ressa, co-founder and chief executive officer of the news site Rapper in the Philippines and a "TIME" Person of the Year, is presented. Topics discussed include the effect of winning the Novel Peace Prize on her protection from the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, sharing the prize with "Novaya Gazeta" editor Dmitry Muratov of Russia, and her travel ban since being convicted of cyberlibel by the Philippine government.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of working on the site of the World Trade Center in New York City as a fireman after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.

The article discusses the dispute over the presidency in Venezuela with both Nicolas Maduro and Juan Guaido claiming leadership. It explains how Maduro has been accused of voting fraud while over 50 foreign countries recognize Guaido as president of Venezuela. The article goes on to cover violent protests and the likelihood of American intervention.

The article features Steve Inskeep, a journalist who is the host of U.S.-based radio news program "Morning Edition." Topics discussed include publication of his book "Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Frémont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity, and Helped Cause the Civil War," his views on racism and U.S. immigration, and the comparison of his job as a journalist and as an author.

The article discusses that besieged journalists were named as the 2018 Person of the Year by the periodical. Topics discussed include post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed in a Saudi consulate, and also mentions two former employees of Twitter, who were arrested on the charges of passing information about dissidents to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's government.

The article discusses the views of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and it mentions Kagame's political regime, as well as the anniversary of a genocide involving close to one million Rwandans and information about African leaders. The country's economy and political structure are addressed, along with Rwandan democracy and arbitrary killings by state security forces in Rwanda. Rwanda's relationship with the Democratic Republic of Congo is assessed.

The article discusses U.S.-Iran relations in the context of an increase in tension related to explosions on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf which the U.S. government has blamed on Iran. The decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw the U.S. from the multilateral agreement over Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program is cited.

The article discusses various aspects of American actor Jeff Daniels' career as of 2019, and it mentions his role in the Broadway theatrical production "To Kill a Mockingbird," his views about decency and American politics, and his former role in the film "Dumb and Dumber." Daniels' views about U.S. President Donald Trump and America's Attorney General William Barr are addressed, along with the television series "The Newsroom" and Tony Award nominations.

The article discusses a coup attempt in Venezuela led by politician Juan Guaidó, who claims to be the president of Venezuela. Topics include the historic role of the U.S. in supporting coups against Latin American governments, the views of U.S. politicians on overthrowing Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro, and U.S. government statements on support for Maduro's government by Cuba and Russia.