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.
War
Israeli airstrikes said to hit key Syrian port of Latakia, causing ‘massive’ damage
Syrian state media said Israeli warplanes fired missiles on the port of the coastal city of Latakia early Tuesday causing large explosions and fires, the second alleged strike in a month on the key facility.
Biden declares ‘no federal solution’ to unrelenting waves of COVID-19
President Biden on Monday delivered a cryptic warning to the nation’s governors when he said there is “no federal solution” to the COVID-19 outbreaks and called on the states to do more.
‘Iran deal put us on cruise control heading over a cliff,’ former envoy warns
Former Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer this week defended his government’s positions that encouraged the United States to leave the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, and supported Israel’s current position that the US must leave a military option on the table and signal that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons
Russia ‘not bluffing’ on NATO rollback, warns of ‘large-scale conflict in Europe’
Russia will not drop a demand that NATO “be rolled back” to its 1997 boundaries, according to a senior Russian envoy, a requirement backed by the threat of “a large-scale conflict in Europe” arising out of Ukraine.
US and Russia to hold talks on January 10, official says
The United States and Russia are set to hold dialogue on nuclear arms control and tensions over a military build up around Ukraine on January 10, a White House official said on Monday.
DRC: Suicide bomber kills five in Christian area
Five people were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Christmas Day when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a hotel restaurant in North Kivu, an area where Christians are known to live, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Hungarian Christmas Cheer In Shoeboxes
Hungarian churches and charities have begun distributing support to thousands of impoverished children, including those who lost parents amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.
US Missionaries At Christmas After Haïti Escape
Seventeen U.S.-based missionaries kidnapped in Haiti could celebrate Christmas in freedom after most of them miraculously escaped the street gang 400 Mawozo, who held them for two months, a spokesman said.
Saudi-led Coalition Launches ‘Large-Scale’ Yemen Operation
A Saudi-led coalition on Saturday launched a “large-scale” assault on Yemen after a projectile killed two people in the kingdom, in the first such deaths in three years caused by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
COVID-19: Around 8,000 flights cancelled globally over Christmas weekend due to coronavirus
Around 8,000 flights were canceled globally over Christmas weekend as airlines experienced staff shortages due to COVID-19.
In ‘warning’ to Israel, Iran says it fired 16 ballistic missiles able to hit country
Iran fired multiple ballistic missiles Friday at the close of five days of military drills that generals said were a warning to Israel and included a mock strike on Israel’s nuclear facility.
China To Control World’s Rare Earths
In a Christmas setback for the United States, China moved to cement its position as the world’s dominant supplier of “rare earth,” 17 minerals for consumer electronics and military equipment.
South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Bishop Tutu Dies At 90
Desmond Tutu, the Anglican church leader who received the Nobel Peace Prize “for his role as a unifying leader figure in the non-violent campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa,” has died. He was 90 years old.
NASA Enlists Theologians To Help Look To Heavens
Roughly 2,000 years after wise men went after a star to find and worship Jesus born in Bethlehem, the U.S. space agency hires theologians to look to the heavens, again.
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.
Russia Doesn’t Rule Out Invasion Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indirectly warned the West that his troops will invade Ukraine unless it gives immediate security guarantees.
Iran, world powers to launch fresh round of talks to salvage nuclear pact
Negotiators from Iran and five world powers that are trying to revive a tattered 2015 nuclear deal will resume talks in Vienna next week, the European Union said Thursday, confirming that a new round will be officially launched on Monday.
Israel’s incoming Air Force chief: In next war Hezbollah will suffer ‘unimaginable blow’
Israel’s incoming Air Force commander said Wednesday that in the next war in Lebanon the Hezbollah terror group will suffer the kind of blow “it can’t even imagine”.
Pfizer Pill Becomes 1st US-Authorized Home COVID Treatment
U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus.