Germany Sentences Syrian For War Crimes
A German court has sentenced a Syrian colonel to life in prison in the first such crimes against humanity trial in reunited Germany.
United Nations
Afghanistan: UN seeks record $5bn in aid to prevent ‘suffering’
The United Nations is seeking a record $5bn in aid for Afghanistan this year to help protect the country’s future after the Taliban’s seizure of power.
U.S. softens position on Iranian sanctions threat, opting to impose them only at 90% enrichment
The United States reportedly wants to apply “snapback sanctions” to deter Iran from continuing to enrich weapons-grade-uranium, a strategy that was part of the original JCPOA established in 2015.
UN fingers Iranian port as key weapons conduit for Yemen rebels
The United Nations found thousands of weapons recently seized in the Arabian Sea likely came from a single port in Iran, evidence Tehran is exporting arms to Yemen and elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.
Biden Signs $768 Billion Bill As US Faces Attack
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $768 billion defense bill amid fears that Russia and China are ahead of the United States in developing new weapons systems such as hypersonic technology.
UN Condemns Myanmar Christmas Eve Massacre (Worthy News In-depth)
The new United Nations special envoy to Myanmar has condemned escalating violence in the country after the ruling army reportedly killed up to 38 people on Christmas Eve.
Myanmar atrocity: Burmese Army burns 35 civilians alive on Christmas Eve
Myanmar’s Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) burned alive at least 35 civilians, including elderly people and children, in Karenni state on Christmas Eve, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. The Tatmadaw rogue army has been slaughtering and displacing non-Buddhists since it overthrew Myanmar’s democratically elected government in a February 1 coup.
Europe, Canada Fear Russian Mercenaries In Mali
France and 14 European allies, as well as Canada, have condemned the alleged deployment of Russian mercenaries in the West African country of Mali.
‘Normalization with Israel conditional on Arab Peace Plan,’ Saudi official says
Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations voiced Tuesday the kingdom’s readiness to normalize relations with Israel on the condition that the Arab Peace Initiative was implemented.
2015 nuclear deal no longer sufficient for reality of Iran in 2022, IAEA chief says
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Tuesday that the restrictions faced by his inspectors in Iran threaten to give the world only a “very blurred image” of Tehran’s program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
European Powers Warn Iran Nuclear Talks Nearing ‘End Of The Road’
Three European powers said on December 14 that talks with Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are “rapidly reaching the end of the road,” while Tehran accused Western powers of playing a “blame game.”
Iran Preparing For Rocket Launch As Nuclear Talks Falter
There were signs Monday that Iran prepared for a space launch amid tense talks over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
France Frees Saudi Mistakenly Detained In Killing Journalist Khashoggi
French authorities say they have freed a man after wrongly identifying him as an ex-member of Saudi Arabia’s royal guard who allegedly participated in murdering Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Suu Kyi Jailed For Public Unrest
Myanmar’s ousted elected leader, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to four years imprisonment Monday on charges including “inciting public unrest.”
US envoy to Security Council: Settlement building has ‘reached a critical juncture’
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council Tuesday that Israel’s settlement building in the West Bank “has reached a critical juncture” while also admonishing the top UN body for its “overwhelming focus” on the Jewish state.
WHO Calls New Coronavirus Strain ‘Variant of Concern’ And Names It Omicron
The United Nations health body said Friday the new coronavirus variant is “a variant of concern” and named it Omicron.
Children, Pregnant Woman Drown In Channel
Among 27 migrants who died after their boat sank near Calais, France, were 17 men, seven women – one of whom was pregnant – and three children, France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
Abbas meets Putin, seeks Quartet role in peace process
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for talks on reviving the peace process with Israel, in the context of Russia’s support for the two-state solution.
Mideast Quartet expresses concern over West Bank violence, PA financial crisis
The so-called Quartet of Middle East mediators urged Israel and the Palestinians on Thursday to address an array of challenges — ongoing violence in the West Bank, the advancement of new settlement units in Palestinian territories, and “the untenable fiscal crisis within the Palestinian Authority.”
UN atomic agency: Iran is steadily increasing stockpile of enriched uranium
The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency reported Wednesday that Iran now has an estimated 17.7 kilograms (39 pounds) of uranium enriched at up to 60% fissile purity, a level that can easily be refined to make atomic weapons, The Associated Press (AP) reports.