NATO chief warns: ‘China is investing massively in new weapons’
China’s growing military power holds potential dangers for the transatlantic alliance, according to NATO’s civilian chief.
World News
Iran: assassinated nuclear scientist almost impossible to replace; Iranian-backed Hezbollah leader reportedly fears he may be targeted next
A former head of Israel’s military intelligence service has said it will be almost impossible for Iran to replace top nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated Friday in an operation attributed to Israeli spy agency Mossad, World Israel News reports. Moreover, Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the Lebanon-based Iranian terror proxy Hezbollah, has reportedly gone underground out of concern he may be targeted next.
French government backs down and will rewrite controversial new security law
Following major protests across France, President Emmanuel Macron’s governing party announced Monday that it will “totally rewrite” a controversial new law that would have made it an offense to film and identify police officers online if there is intent to harm their “physical or psychological integrity,” Euro News reports.
Britain Moves Closer To Obligatory COVID-19 Vaccines
Britain came one step closer Tuesday to effectively forcing its citizens to take a coronavirus vaccine if they want their lives back.
Coronavirus Pandemic Overshadows 35th Anniversary Of Schengen
A new wave of coronavirus infections is overshadowing the 35th anniversary of Europe’s border-free Schengen Area. France and Germany are among European Union member states facing significant challenges amid rising coronavirus infection in Europe ahead of Christmas.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander reported killed in drone strike
A senior commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard was killed in an apparent drone strike along the Syrian-Iraqi border, according to widely circulated reports in Arabic-language media Monday.
European Gov’ts Urged to Work With Biden to Restore Iran Nuclear Deal
Six former European diplomats are calling on European governments to coordinate efforts to urge an incoming Biden administration to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal, from which President Trump withdrew in 2018, and to agree with the regime in Tehran on steps for mutual compliance.
Demonstrators across France protest proposed security law
Protests roiled France on Saturday as more than 133,000 people demonstrated against a security law that would restrict photographs of police officers from being published.
Ethiopia Rebels “Retake” Town Despite Government Victory Claims
Rebel forces in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region say they have retaken a town and shot down a military plane in a setback for the national government.
UK, EU resume face-to-face trade talks with time running out
Teams from Britain and the European Union resumed face-to-face talks on a post-Brexit trade deal Saturday, with both sides sounding gloomy about striking an agreement in the little time that remains.
‘COVID Passport’ to prove vaccination now in final stages of development
The International Air Transport Association said Saturday that the COVID passport could be key to saving the tourism industry.
U.S. Sends Air Craft Carrier To Persian Gulf As Iran Vows Retaliation For Killing Of Scientist
The U.S. ordered the U.S.S. Nimitz and its strike group to return to the Persian Gulf to serve in a defensive capacity as U.S. forces in the region continue to drawdown during the final weeks of the Trump administration. The action coincides with rising tensions in the region between U.S. allies and Iran after a top Iranian nuclear scientist was taken out in a highly coordinated hit this week.
Belarus President ‘Ready To Resign Under New Constitution’
Belarus’ longtime President Alexander Lukashenko says he is prepared to resign if a new constitution is adopted. His announcement follows months of protests against his disputed re-election in August.
Top Iranian nuclear scientist “assassinated”
An Iranian nuclear scientist, who Israel alleges was in charge of Iran’s military nuclear program until the early 2000s, has been assassinated, the Associated Press reports. Iranian state media have reported that Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was killed on Friday. Israel has not immediately commented on the death.
Hungary, Poland Vow To Uphold Veto Over EU Budget
Hungary and Poland’s prime ministers have vowed to uphold their veto of the European Union’s next budget — and its massive coronavirus pandemic relief fund. In Budapest, both leaders said they oppose a mechanism that ties payment of funds to the rule of law principles.
CIA paramilitary officer killed during operations against al-Shabab in Somalia
A CIA paramilitary officer was killed in operations involving the terror group al-Shabab in Somalia, according to intelligence sources.
Ethiopia launches ‘final phase’ of Tigray offensive
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday that the country’s military is in the “final phase” of its operation against fighters in the Tigray region’s capital, Mekele.
Pope Francis accuses lockdown protesters of turning ‘personal freedom’ into an ‘ideology’ in Thanksgiving op-ed
Pope Francis urged people to put others before themselves as the world struggles to come out of the coronavirus pandemic.
US envoy to Iran says more sanctions coming, urges Biden to maintain leverage
The Trump administration plans to tighten sanctions on Tehran during its final months in power, the top US envoy on Iran said on Wednesday, as he urged President-elect Joe Biden to use the leverage to press for a deal that reduces the regional and nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic.
Brexit: Next days ‘decisive’ for hopes of deal, says EU’s Ursula von der Leyen
The coming days in the Brexit negotiations will be “decisive” as to whether Britain and the EU are able to agree on a free trade deal, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.