Former police officer Brett Hankison has received a sentence of 33 months in prison for violating the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was shot and killed during a police raid in March 2020. The ruling was made by US District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings on Monday, rejecting a sentencing recommendation from the Trump administration‘s Justice Department that sought only a single day of imprisonment for Hankison.

Hankison was part of a police operation that employed a no-knock warrant at Taylor’s home in Louisville, Kentucky. During the raid, Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, believing they were intruders, fired a legally owned firearm at the officers. The police responded with gunfire, resulting in Taylor’s death, which, alongside the killing of George Floyd, ignited widespread protests across the United States demanding racial justice and police accountability.

In her statement, Judge Jennings criticized the Justice Department for what she termed a “180-degree” shift in their approach to the case. She indicated that political factors might have influenced their recommendation for a minimal sentence. “This sentence will not and cannot be measured against Ms Taylor’s life and the incident as a whole,” Jennings remarked, emphasizing the severity of the situation.

The 33-month sentence is on the lower end of the federal guidelines, which suggest a range of 33 to 41 months. Nonetheless, it is significantly harsher than the one-day sentence proposed by federal prosecutors.

Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, along with other family members, appeared in court to advocate for a more severe penalty. Palmer expressed her grief, stating, “A piece of me was taken from me that day. You have the power to make today the first day of true accountability.”

Hankison was convicted by a federal jury in November 2022 for one count of violating Taylor’s civil rights, after an initial prosecution attempt resulted in a mistrial. He had previously been acquitted of state charges in 2022. In a brief statement to the court, Hankison expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he would have acted differently had he been aware of the issues surrounding the preparation of the search warrant. “I never would have fired my gun,” he asserted.

The Justice Department’s sentencing memo downplayed Hankison’s role in the raid, asserting that he “did not shoot Ms Taylor and is not otherwise responsible for her death.” This memo was not signed by any career prosecutors involved in the case, raising concerns about its authenticity and intent. It was submitted by Harmeet Dhillon, a political appointee leading the Justice Department’s civil rights division, and her counsel, Robert Keenan.

This recommendation reflects a broader trend during the Trump administration, which has sought to limit police accountability measures. Earlier this year, Dhillon halted plans for a court-approved settlement with the Louisville Police Department and rescinded prior findings of systemic civil rights abuses against people of color.

Attorneys representing Taylor’s family have condemned the Justice Department’s sentencing recommendation for Hankison as an insult, urging the court to deliver “true justice” for her. The ramifications of this case continue to resonate, highlighting the ongoing struggle for accountability within law enforcement in the United States.

Israel expanded its military operations in Gaza on Monday, targeting areas of central Gaza that had previously experienced less destruction during the ongoing conflict. The escalation comes amid rising international condemnation of Israel’s actions, with at least 130 Palestinians reported killed in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry. This marks one of the highest death tolls in recent weeks, particularly in regions like Deir el-Balah.

While Israel’s government dismissed a statement from 26 nations, including Ireland, as “detached from reality,” the call for an immediate end to the violence reflects growing global concern over civilian suffering in Gaza. The group, which includes notable countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, condemned the “inhumane killing of civilians” seeking aid through humanitarian channels.

In their joint statement, foreign ministers from these nations urged Israel to lift restrictions on the flow of humanitarian assistance and allow the United Nations and non-governmental organizations to operate safely and effectively. “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths,” the statement highlighted. The ministers indicated their willingness to pursue further actions to facilitate a ceasefire in the region.

Israel’s foreign ministry responded robustly, asserting that the international criticism misrepresents the situation. “All claims about the absence of a ceasefire deal and the release of hostages should be directed at the terrorist organization that started this war,” the ministry stated, pointing to Hamas as the primary responsible party for ongoing civilian hardships.

Reports indicate that Palestinians have faced lethal dangers while attempting to collect food from distribution points operated by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). On Sunday alone, Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that at least 93 Palestinians were killed while queuing for food, although Israel has raised doubts about these figures.

In a striking development, the Israeli military released a video that appeared to show residents in Gaza expressing gratitude towards Israeli soldiers while receiving food parcels from an aid truck.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has drawn increasing attention from global leaders. António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, expressed alarm over the deteriorating conditions. His spokesperson noted that Guterres was “appalled” by the accelerating collapse of essential services, highlighting reports of malnutrition among children and adults.

As ceasefire negotiations falter in Doha, US envoy Steve Witkoff has decided against participating in talks until significant gaps between the parties are bridged. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a staggering death toll, with Gaza’s health authorities reporting over 59,000 fatalities since the war began on October 7, 2023. This escalation was triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel, leading to the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 individuals.

The humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, with President Michael D. Higgins of Ireland commenting on the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. He expressed concern that the ongoing military actions are rendering the region uninhabitable for displaced individuals. Higgins called for an independent body or the European Union to ensure that aid access is effectively negotiated, particularly for vulnerable populations, including infants and breastfeeding mothers at risk of dehydration.

As the conflict continues, the international community remains watchful of developments and the humanitarian impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.

Kyiv residents awoke on Monday, July 10, 2023, to the aftermath of another night marked by intense Russian air attacks. The assault included drone and missile strikes that left at least one person dead and eight injured. Smoke enveloped several districts of the city as hospitals treated the wounded, and damage to civilian infrastructure caused delays for commuters in the capital of 3.5 million.

The recent surge in drone attacks, particularly in Kyiv, represents a troubling escalation. Ukrainian officials reported that overnight, Russia launched 426 drones and 24 missiles, with many intercepted or jammed by air defence systems. Yet the toll on civilians continues to rise, exacerbating the stress and fatigue endured over more than three years of full-scale conflict.

Growing Concerns Among Residents

As drone strikes become more frequent, many residents are grappling with heightened anxiety. Nazar, a lifelong Kyiv resident, expressed his shifting perspective: “When people asked me whether I was worried about living in Kyiv, I would say that yes, it’s being shelled and bombed, but it’s well-protected. That’s how it felt until a few weeks ago.” He noted that recent attacks have felt closer, diminishing the sense of safety he once had.

Olesya, another resident living on the eighth floor of a nearby apartment, described the increasing danger. She explained, “While before I would have stayed in my flat during an alert, now, if there are too many drones flying overhead, I go into the corridor of the building for greater protection.” This reflects a broader trend, as residents adapt their routines to the realities of war.

For many, the sight and sound of drones overhead have become a terrifying part of daily life. Nazar compared the noise to something from a World War II film, saying, “They make a particular annoying, threatening noise, which speeds up as they’re about to hit a target.” He now finds himself seeking shelter in underground areas during the early morning hours.

Military Developments and Civilian Impact

The Russian attacks are not limited to Kyiv; cities further west, such as Ivano-Frankivsk, also experienced heavy bombardment, with local officials reporting injuries and significant damage. As the conflict intensifies, so do concerns regarding Ukraine’s air defences. The United States recently paused the supply of critical weaponry but later announced plans to provide additional air defence systems to Kyiv through a new deal with NATO.

Germany and other European countries are expected to supply advanced US-made Patriot systems, although the timing and scale of this support remain uncertain. Viktoriya, a resident near the Dnipro River, shared her perspective on the current situation, stating, “Before, the majority was repelled. But now I don’t think we have enough air-defence assets or manpower to track everything, so they do get through.”

The psychological impact of these attacks is profound. Many residents, feeling the weight of constant danger, have begun to make more systematic preparations. On July 8, during one of the heaviest attacks, around 32,000 people sought refuge in Kyiv’s metro stations, including nearly 2,200 children. This marked a significant increase in the number of night-time visits to the metro, which are expected to surpass the previous month’s figures.

Despite the ongoing turmoil, some residents display resilience. “I don’t think we are depressed or saying this is the end of Ukraine,” Nazar noted. “Surprisingly, I have more resilience than I thought, and I think people are on the same page in that way.”

As the conflict continues, the situation in Kyiv remains precarious. The emotional toll on residents is evident as they navigate life under the threat of air attacks, balancing the desire for normalcy with the need for safety.

The southern Israeli port of Eilat has ceased operations as of Sunday, primarily due to significant financial distress linked to a sharp decline in shipping activity. This downturn is attributed to the ongoing Yemeni-Houthi blockade of the Red Sea, marking a rare setback for Israel in the region. The blockade has not only impacted maritime trade but also raised concerns about national security and economic stability.

Constructed between 1952 and 1956 and opened for traffic in 1957, Eilat port has played a crucial role in Israeli maritime trade, accounting for approximately 5-7 percent of the country’s total. The port has facilitated the import of around 150,000 vehicles from China in 2023, which typically supplies up to half of Israel’s car imports. Additionally, crude oil is piped from Eilat to Ashkelon for refining, while various exports, including potash and fertilizers, have historically flowed through the port.

The situation escalated in November 2023 when Houthi forces began launching attacks on vessels associated with Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom. These attacks included missile and drone strikes aimed at both shipping and the city of Eilat. The escalation followed the October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of 150 in southern Israel. As a direct consequence of the conflict, Eilat’s shipping activity plummeted by 85 percent by December, and by March 2024, the port had temporarily suspended half of its staff, although salaries remained paid.

The port’s closure poses a potential risk to the Israeli navy, which operates patrol boats from its base in Eilat, providing security for the naval shipyard. In an attempt to mitigate financial challenges, the Israeli government allocated an emergency grant of $4 million (approximately €3.4 million) in June. Despite this effort, the Eilat Port Company has amassed debts exceeding $8.5 million, leading the municipality to freeze $3 million in the port’s bank accounts to address tax arrears.

Major shipping companies, including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, have redirected their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing transportation costs by 30-40 percent for goods destined for Mediterranean ports. This rerouting has also extended transit times by approximately seven to ten days. Furthermore, insurance premiums for vessels navigating the Red Sea have skyrocketed by 300-400 percent.

While Houthi attacks have diminished recently and the Israeli navy has offered to protect ships in the area, the perception of risk remains high among shipping owners. As a result, the future of Eilat port and its contribution to Israeli trade hangs in the balance, with broader implications for the region’s economic landscape and security frameworks.