Colin Powell ‘Dies Of COVID-19’
Colin Powell, who served as America’s first Black national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State during challenging times, has died, his family says.
EU
British Police Link Killing Legislator To Islamist Extremism
British police say Friday’s killing of British legislator Sir David Amess at a Methodist church in southeast England was a terror attack potentially linked to Islamist extremism.
Turkey Airstrikes Target Christians Killing Dozen in Syria, Iraq
A dozen people were killed in recent months as Turkey increased airstrikes as part of an alleged “anti-terrorist military campaign” in Syria and Iraq targeting Christians and other minorities, rights investigators say.
Britain hopes to join transatlantic trade agreement next year, no date for US-UK deal yet
While it is not known when post-Brexit Britain will be able to sign a full and comprehensive free trade deal with the United States, Boris Johnson hopes to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) partnership in 2022, Reuters reports.
US to rejoin UN Human Rights Council following Trump withdrawal
The United States is rejoining the controversial UN Human Rights Council (HRC) amid concerns that China has used America’s three-and-a-half year absence to grow its influence and power, AFP reports. Former President Trump withdrew the US from the Council in June 2018 to protest what UN Ambassador Nikki Haley described as the body’s “disproportionate focus and unending hostility toward Israel” which is “clear proof that the council is motivated by political bias, not by human rights.”
G20 Leaders Fear “Economic Catastrophe” In Afghanistan
Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies pledged at least $1.7 billion Tuesday to avert an economic catastrophe in Afghanistan. Still, it was unclear when and where the promised money would arrive.
Remains Holocaust Denier In German Jewish Grave
Germany’s Protestant Church and others have condemned the burial of a prominent neo-Nazi’s ashes in a vacant plot of a Jewish musicologist outside Berlin.
Hungary Sentences Islamic State Commander To Life Imprisonment Over Mass Killings
A Hungarian court has sentenced a Syrian national to life imprisonment for his involvement in “crimes against humanity” and “terrorism” as a military leader of the Islamic State terror group in Syria.
Oil and Gas Prices Spike to Highest Level in 7 Years, America Now Paying an Extra $400M Per Day at the Pump
Oil and gas prices are surging, hitting highs not seen in at least seven years thanks to a combination of factors that have escalated over the past year since President Biden took over the White House.
Lapid takes off for Washington ahead of likely restart of Iran nuclear talks
As Iran signaled its intention to return to nuclear talks in Vienna, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid took off from Ben Gurion International Airport overnight Monday for a three-day visit to Washington DC to meet with senior Biden administration officials, Jewish leaders, and the UAE foreign minister.
Nephew Poland’s Prime Minister Detained At Pro-EU Rally
Police in Warsaw confirmed Monday that they detained a prime minister’s nephew and three others at a protest against government policies that critics fear could cost Poland its European Union membership.
Taiwan: President Tsai Ing-wen vows to do ‘utmost’ to defend country from China
The president of Taiwan has vowed to do her “utmost” to defend her country from Chinese claims on its territory.
Controversial Czech Prime Minister Loses Elections
In a significant political setback, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis’ ANO party lost the elections after revelations that he had hidden millions in taxable assets.
Austria’s Chancellor Resigns Over Corruption Allegations
Austria’s conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, one of Europe’s youngest leaders, announced his resigned Saturday after prosecutors placed him under a corruption investigation.
Berlin police probe ‘sonic weapon attack’ at U.S. Embassy
German police announced Friday they are investigating an “alleged sonic weapon attack” on employees stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, the latest in a long-running series of attacks that U.S. officials are still at a loss to explain.
Lebanon left without power for days after state-run grid collapses
Lebanon faces a nationwide power outage for a number of days after the country’s two largest power stations shut down on Saturday due to a fuel shortage, an official said.
Poland Rejects Primacy Of EU Law
The European Union faces a major legal challenge after a top court in Poland rejected the primacy of EU law over national legislation in certain judicial matters.
Germany Edging Closer To Government
Germany, Europe’s largest economy, came a step closer to having a new government Thursday some 10 days after the German center-left Social Democrats won parliamentary elections.
Blinken, Lavrov Discuss Iran Nuclear Deal As Tehran Signals Talks ‘Days’ Away
The top U.S. and Russian diplomats have discussed their shared interest in the restoration of the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Israeli research shows clear antibody drop 6 months after 2nd vaccine dose
New research from Israel’s Sheba Medical Center demonstrates the waning of COVID-19 antibodies in the months following reception of two vaccine doses.