UN freedom of religion official calls on states to reinterpret religion
A UN ‘special expert on freedom of religion’ is calling on states to regulate religion to suit modern ideologies of gender and sexuality.
World News
Iran’s leadership falls prey to coronavirus
Iran’s leadership has been hit especially hard by the coronavirus, as the Islamic Republic predicts that 40% of residents in its capital of Tehran will be infected by the spreading virus within two weeks.
IAEA Demands Iran ‘Immediately’ Provide Access To Suspected Nuclear Sites
The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has demanded that Iran stop blocking its investigation into three possible nuclear sites.
Oil plummets 31% in biggest drop since Gulf War as Saudi cuts spark all-out price war
Oil futures tumbled 31% in a matter of seconds overnight on Sunday, their sharpest decline since the Gulf War in 1991. The losses are being fueled by sinking demand due to coronavirus concerns, which has in turn sparked a series of price cuts.
Saudi Crown Prince Eliminates Opposition
The Saudi crown prince has arrested two former rivals in a move that many see as an attempt to position himself to seize the throne from his 84-year-old father.
Coronavirus fails to be labeled ‘pandemic’ as cases rise
The World Health Organization declined to label the coronavirus a pandemic as the number of cases reached 100,000 over the weekend and extended its reach to 90 countries.
Russia, Turkey Pull Back From the Brink in Syria With Ceasefire Deal
Russia and Turkey have agreed to a new ceasefire in northwestern Syria, the site in recent weeks of numerous clashes between Turkish and Russian-backed Assad regime forces.
Chinese scientists identify two strains of the coronavirus, indicating it’s already mutated at least once
Researchers in China have found that two different types of the new coronavirus could be causing infections worldwide.
Dirty banknotes may be spreading the coronavirus, WHO suggests
Banknotes may be spreading the new coronavirus so people should try to use contactless payments instead, the World Health Organization has said.
Turkey reignites refugee crisis in Europe
The Greek military and police are clashing with refugees rushing to cross the border from Turkey as islanders to the south cope with hundreds of new arrivals.
Iran refusing to give answers on 3 undeclared nuclear sites, UN watchdog says
Iran has nearly tripled its stockpile of enriched uranium over the last three months in violation of its deal with world powers and is refusing to answer questions about three possible undeclared nuclear sites, the UN nuclear watchdog agency said Tuesday.
EU-UK trade talks kick off amid threats and deadlines
Long-awaited trade talks between the European Union and Britain kicked off Monday amid deep tensions over Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s threat to walk away from the negotiations if not enough progress is made within four months.
Erdogan warns ‘millions’ of refugees heading to Europe
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to bus thousands of migrants from refugee camps to Turkey’s border with Greece was the wrong approach, even if Ankara ‘currently does not feel sufficiently supported’ by Europe.
Coronavirus Has Now Spread to More than 60 Countries
Coronavirus cases surged in Italy, and France closed the world-famous Louvre Museum on Sunday as the deadly outbreak that began in China sent fear rising across Western Europe, threatening its tourism industry.
US, Taliban Sign Peace Agreement to Withdraw Troops From Afghanistan and End War
The US signed a peace agreement with the Taliban on Saturday in an effort to end 18 years of war in Afghanistan and allow US troops to return home.
Turkey, Russia talk amid spiraling tensions in Syria as migrants push west
The presidents of Turkey and Russia spoke by phone Friday to try to defuse tensions that rose significantly in Syria after at least 33 Turkish troops were killed in an airstrike blamed on the Syrian government, and a new wave of refugees and migrants headed for the Greek land and sea border after Turkey said it would no longer hold them back.
Turkey Strikes Back At Syrian Forces, As West Condemns Damascus, Moscow
Turkey says its forces have retaliated against Russia-backed Syrian government forces after at least 33 of its soldiers were killed in air strikes in Idlib Province, as NATO condemned Damascus and Moscow for what it called “indiscriminate” bombing in the region.
Saudi Arabia Suspends Pilgrimages to Mecca and Other Holy Sites in Effort to Stop Coronavirus
Saudi Arabia has placed a temporary ban on Umrah pilgrims in an attempt to ensure public safety by preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
Coronavirus Could Cost World $1 Trillion If It Becomes a Pandemic, Analysts Predict
The ghastly prospect that the coronavirus outbreak could become the first truly disruptive pandemic of the globalization era is renewing doubts over the stability of the world economy.
World must prepare for potential COVID-19 pandemic says WHO
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom on Monday told countries to brace for a ‘potential pandemic’ of COVID-19.