From Israel to Russia, these are the must-read stories you need to pay attention to this week

Developments such as what annexation would mean for the West Bank, or whether to keep Vladimir Putin in power till 2036, are well worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks, writes Gemma Fox

Putin is not alone among leaders trying to portray the pandemic as a fading threat (Getty)

The coronavirus and global lockdowns are still dominating the front pages – but there are some important developments that readers should be sure they don’t miss.

Today (Wednesday), Israel may start the process of annexing the West Bank, Russians vote on whether to keep Vladimir Putin in power till 2036, and demonstrations are expected in Hong Kong against the passing of the new security law.

The controversial annexation plan is a story that Bel Trew, our Middle East correspondent, has been following since the get-go, ensuring that we consistently deliver informed reporting on this complex and sensitive issue. On Tuesday, she wrote an in-depth piece explaining what annexation would mean for the West Bank and how the world has been reacting. This follows up from her piece last month, in which she spoke to Palestinians living in the strategic area who are fearful for their future.