Washington urges Tehran to ‘quickly’ return to nuclear negotiations
The United States urged new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Thursday to “quickly” resume negotiations on the suspended talks in Vienna regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
World News
Iranian hardliner Raisi, tied to mass executions, sworn in as regime president
Iran’s new hardline president Ebrahim Raisi, who has been tied to mass executions and crackdowns of political opponents, was sworn in on Thursday as dissidents urged international leaders not to play ball with the regime.
World Health Organization calls for halt on COVID vaccine boosters, citing low world vaccine rate
The World Health Organization is calling for a halt on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September, its head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday, as the gap between vaccinations in wealthy and poor countries widens.
Britain demands response from UNSC for Iranian attack on Israeli-managed oil tanker
Accusing the Iranian regime of attacking an Israeli-managed oil tanker off the coast of Oman last week, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has called on the United Nations Security Council to respond to what he described as Iran’s “destabilizing actions,” Ynet News reports.
US intensifies strikes on al-Qaeda-affiliated targets in Somalia
The US is intensifying counter-terrorism airstrikes against al-Qaeda affiliates who have increased their attacks in Somalia since the withdrawal of hundreds of American troops this year, Bloomberg News reports. The US Africa Command has confirmed that airstrikes were carried out on July 20 and 23 and on Aug. 1.
Cuba report: At least 1,000 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention since outbreak of protests
The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights (OCDH) has reported that since the July 11 outbreak of nationwide protests in Cuba, the communist government has carried out at least 1,745 repressive actions against protestors, of which 1,103 were some type of arbitrary detention. The OCDH said the published figures are not definitive as the collection of data has been hindered by repressive government actions.
Europe: Thousands protest COVID-19 restrictions mandatory vaccination policies in Italy, France, Greece
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Italy, France, and Greece over the weekend to protest against mandatory vaccination policies and overall COVID-19 restrictions, DW reports.
Leading Belarussian Activist Found Dead In Ukraine
The head of a group helping people fleeing Belarus has been found dead near his home in neighboring Ukraine, officials said Monday. Vitaly Shishov’s body was found hanged in a park in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv a day after he failed to return from a jog, according to police.
Iran-backed forces said behind ‘potential hijack’ in Gulf of Oman
Iranian-backed forces have taken control of a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, reports said late Tuesday in an incident British authorities described as “a potential hijack.”
U.S., Afghan air force unleash massive airstrikes as Taliban threaten key cities
The Afghan air force on Monday pounded the Taliban with repeated airstrikes in an effort to keep insurgent fighters from capturing key cities in southern and western Afghanistan, officials said, as the battle for the country’s future moves from the rural countryside toward major population centers.
‘Greatest cover-up of all time’: House GOP presents evidence of COVID-19 origins, Wuhan lab leak
The top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a report Monday that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 leaked from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology in August or early September 2019 and that Chinese officials took part in “the greatest coverup of all time.”
Australia Using Army For COVID Lockdown After Philippines
Australia’s government sent the army Monday to help enforce strict lockdowns in Sydney, where it claims many COVID-19 cases were recorded.
Poland Grants Asylum To Belarus Olympic Sprinter
Poland says it has granted a humanitarian visa to a sprinter from Belarus who refused her team’s order to fly home early from the Olympics. The offer to Krystsina Tsimanouskaya was due to lead to asylum in the European Union nation amid growing political and social turmoil in Belarus.
Albania Repatriates Islamic State Women, Children Despite Controversy
A group of women and children who were the families of Albanian nationals who joined Islamic extremist groups fighting in Syria and Iraq have returned to their homeland. Their arrival Sunday comes amid a debate in several other countries in Europe on what to do with fighters and supporters of groups such as the Islamic State.
Belarus President Warns He May Invite Russian Troops
The autocratic president of Belarus says he is ready to invite Russian troops into his nation if required for the security of both Belarus and Russia. Alexander Lukashenko’s comments were due to raise tensions with the international community.
Belarus Olympic Athlete Seeks Asylum In EU
A Belarusian Olympic athlete who criticized her nation’s authoritarian leadership and coaches wants asylum in a European Union nation, Worthy News learned Sunday.
Popular protests, violent crackdown put Biden Iran policy to the test
It started two weeks ago as a small-scale demonstration over water shortages in a remote province, but like other Iranian protests in recent years, the outburst has spread to several major cities with large crowds calling for the downfall of the Iranian regime and chants of “Death to the dictator.”
Taliban rockets hit Kandahar airport, clashes intensify in Afghanistan
Taliban fighters struck Kandahar airport in southern Afghanistan with at least three rockets overnight, the insurgent group’s spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the aim was to thwart air strikes conducted by Afghan government forces.
EU Targets Christian Doctors Saying Abortion Is ‘Human Right’
Pro-Life doctors and Christian groups are under pressure after the European Parliament passed a resolution saying that abortion is a “human right” and condemned opponents.
Dubai is coping with its 125-degree heat by using laser-beam-shooting drones to shock rainwater out of clouds
The National Center of Meteorology in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has found a new way to make it rain. It’s using laser-beam-shooting drones to generate rainfall artificially.