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Afghan Minister Killed in Kabul Suicide Bombing
Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, was killed in a suicide bombing at the Ministry of Refugees in Kabul on Wednesday. This marks the first attack targeting a minister since the Taliban regained power in 2021. The incident occurred within the ministry compound, which was reportedly hosting training workshops in recent days.…
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UK and EU Respond to Georgia’s Protests
The United Kingdom has suspended program support and restricted defense cooperation with the Georgian government, citing concerns over a departure from European democratic norms. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision on December 9, adding that engagement with Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream government will also be limited. The move comes amid escalating protests in…
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Putin and Lukashenko Sign New Security Pact
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko convened in Minsk to celebrate 25 years of the Union State – a political and economic alliance between Russia and Belarus. Key outcomes included the Interstate Treaty on Security Guarantees, a new a pact aimed at mutual defense. The Interstate Treaty includes: Mutual obligations for defense…
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Belgium Found Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity
The Brussels Court of Appeal has condemned the Belgian state for crimes against humanity for its role in the abduction of children from Belgian-Congolese parents during the colonial period in Congo. Five women — Léa Tavares Mujinga, Monique Bintu Bingi, Noëlle Verbeken, Simone Ngalula, and Marie-José Loshi — successfully sued the state after being forcibly…
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Aleppo: A Humanitarian Update
The recent capture of Aleppo by rebel forces has triggered a significant humanitarian crisis, affecting thousands of civilians. For the fifth consecutive day, hostilities continue in northwestern Syria, particularly in Aleppo, Hama, and Idlib. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (@un_ocha) reports that essential services have largely ceased in Aleppo: the Suliman…
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Russia Accused of Systematic Deportation of Ukrainian Children
Yale’s School of Public Health has released a US State Department-backed report alleging that 314 Ukrainian children were forcibly deported to Russia and subjected to a Kremlin-funded program of “Russification.” Of these children, 166 were placed with Russian families, 148 were listed in adoption databases, and others remain in institutions. The report claims Russian presidential…
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Protest Erupt in Georgia Over EU Membership Delay
Mass protests erupted in Tbilisi after the Georgian government announced a delay in EU membership talks until 2028. Demonstrations began Thursday, intensifying Friday, as thousands gathered outside the Parliament building, waving EU and Georgian flags. Protesters accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of democratic backsliding and pro-Russian policies. Clashes erupted as riot police used rubber…
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Russia Recruits Houthis for War in Donbas
The Financial Times reported that Russia has recruited hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, facilitated by a Houthi-linked operation. Recruits were reportedly promised lucrative jobs and Russian citizenship but were coerced into signing military contracts upon arrival. Many lacked training and were deployed to Ukraine, facing harsh conditions and significant casualties. The operation,…
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Northern Gaza: 130,000 Children Deprived of Aid
Approximately 130,000 children under 10 in northern Gaza have been cut off from essential supplies for 50 days, according to Save the Children. Declared a closed military zone on October 6, the area has remained inaccessible to aid workers. The Famine Review Committee has warned of imminent or ongoing famine, while the UN flagged risks…