Goldman Sachs agrees to pay $2.9 billion in 1MDB scandal
The Goldman Sachs Group agreed to pay $2.9 billion (€2.4 billion) in penalties to settle criminal charges in Malaysia’s 1MDB bribery scandal, said the US Justice Department Thursday.
World News
Poland abortion: Top court bans almost all terminations
Poland’s top court has ruled that abortions in cases of fetal defects are unconstitutional.
EU Awards Top Rights Prize To Belarus Opposition
The European Union has awarded its top human rights prize to the Belarus opposition movement and its leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. They received the Sakharov Prize for their challenge to what EU leaders view as Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s long, hard-line reign.
Nigerian forces reportedly open fire on anti-police brutality protestors
Nigerian authorities reportedly opened fire on protestors demonstrating against the brutality of a police force called SARS (the Special Anti-Robbery Squad) in Lagos, Sky News reports.
Dutch King Apologizes For Greece Holiday Despite Pandemic
Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized Wednesday for going on holiday to Greece while his nation was in a half-lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
World Economic Forum developing digital “health passport”
The World Economic Forum, which organizes the annual Davos economic summit, is involved in developing a passport-like system for travelers to prove they are not infected with COVID-19 before they enter another country, Zero Hedge reports. The system is being spearheaded by the Commons Project, a non-profit funded by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Iran says it is conducting an air defense drill across half its airspace
The Iranian Islamic regime has announced it is beginning a massive air defense drill across half of Iran’s airspace this week, the Jerusalem Post (JP) reports. Set to start on Wednesday, the drill follows the expiration on October 18 of the ten-year long UN arms embargo on Iran, and renewed Iranian interest in upgrading its military and defense technology.
‘Legally covered’: Pope Francis signals support for same-sex civil unions
Pope Francis, in an Italian documentary released Wednesday, signaled support for same-sex civil unions.
FAO Expects to Control East Africa Locust Invasion by Year’s End
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects it will have the record desert locust swarms that have plagued East Africa under control by the end of the year.
Brexit: UK to restart trade talks with EU after threatening to quit
Brussels and London have “re-established” a basis for Brexit talks on Wednesday following an apparent impasse last week, the UK’s chief negotiator David Frost said on Twitter.
Trump admin approves more than $1 billion in new arms sales to Taiwan, angering China
The Trump administration has approved more than $1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan in a move likely to further ratchet up tensions between Beijing and Washington.
China is preparing for possible invasion of Taiwan
China is preparing for a possible military invasion of Taiwan, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported Sunday. The Chinese government considers Taiwan to be a break-away part of China and is determined to bring it under Beijing’s control.
Plan to release Fukushima water into Pacific provokes furious reaction
Environmental groups have reacted furiously to reports that the Japanese government is set to approve plans to dump more than 1 million tons of highly radioactive water stored at the Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, with their concerns shared by the governments of neighboring countries and people living in northeastern Japan.
Curfew in Lagos as riot police deployed across Nigeria, violence ensues
The Nigerian state of Lagos has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Tuesday in response to nationwide protests over police brutality. The curfew would apply to all parts of the state, including the metropolis of Lagos, authorities said.
U.S., Russia near deal to extend nuclear arms treaty, freeze warheads
The United States and Russia moved closer Tuesday to reaching a deal on nuclear arms control that would freeze both nations’ nuclear warheads.
White House official attended meetings in Damascus to secure release of hostages
A representative from the White House went to Damascus for secret meetings with the Syrian government earlier this year, in an effort to secure the release of at least two US citizens believed to be held hostage there, Reuters reported Monday.
Iranian dissident group says Iran has developed a new nuclear bomb-making facility
An exiled Iranian dissident group says Iran has developed a new nuclear bomb-making facility, the Washington Times reports. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), a French- and Albanian-based group working to overthrow the Iranian regime, said Friday it has learned that there is a new facility in Sorkheh-Hesar in northeast Iran.
EU negotiator offers to ‘intensify’ Brexit trade talks with Britain
The chief Brexit negotiator for the European Union stressed Monday the bloc was prepared to “intensify” trade talks with Britain after holding a call with British dealmaker David Frost.
Armenia and Azerbaijan Clash Despite New Truce
Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of violating a new humanitarian ceasefire in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in a conflict that has killed hundreds in recent weeks. The clashes are rapidly escalating into an all-out war, with civilians caught in the middle.
Dutch Premier Regrets King’s Greece Holiday Amid COVID-19 Outcry
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he was wrong in allowing the royal family to vacation in Greece while discouraging “unnecessary travel” for others due to the coronavirus pandemic.