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Georgia Descends into Chaos as Police Raid Opposition Offices

Georgia's political turmoil intensified on Wednesday as police raided opposition party offices, drawing widespread condemnation. The actions followed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's declaration of a crackdown on pro-EU protests that erupted after the contentious October 26 parliamentary elections. Kobakhidze accused the "radical opposition" of orchestrating the unrest and vowed that no one, including opposition politicians, would evade accountability. Police violence escalated, with the leader of the Akhali party arrested and the Droa party's office searched for incriminating evidence. Protests, fueled by allegations of election fraud and the government's suspension of EU membership talks until 2028, have resulted in around 300 arrests and numerous injuries in clashes. Opposition leaders have decried the government's tactics as "torture" and "repression," prompting condemnation from the US and EU. As divisions deepen, concerns grow over the impact on Georgia's democracy and its EU relations amid allegations of increasing ties with Moscow. sources

Published:
Dec 04 2024, 11 pm

US to Support South Korean Democracy, Says White House

The United States has expressed its commitment to supporting democracy in South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law, which National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described as a source of "deep concern." Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Sullivan emphasized the resilience of South Korea's democratic institutions and confirmed that the U.S. would engage both publicly and privately with South Korean officials to uphold democratic values. He commended the National Assembly for swiftly rescinding the martial law, highlighting the importance of constitutional processes. Sullivan revealed that the Biden administration learned of Yoon's martial law declaration through television reports, indicating a lack of prior consultation with the U.S. This statement aligns with a recent National Security Council post that acknowledged South Korea's "democratic resilience." sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 5 am

North Korea-Russia Defense Treaty Takes Effect

A significant defence pact between North Korea and Russia has officially come into effect following the exchange of ratification documents, as reported by North Korea's KCNA news agency. Signed in June by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, the treaty mandates military assistance between the two nations in the event of an attack and aims to jointly counter Western sanctions. This development occurs amid allegations from the United States and South Korea that North Korea has dispatched over 10,000 soldiers to support Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. Analysts suggest that the partnership could allow North Korea to gain advanced military technology and combat experience while positioning itself as a key player in Russia's war economy. Both nations, currently facing extensive UN sanctions, are strengthening ties since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Kim expressing unwavering support for Russia's sovereignty. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 5 am

Amnesty International Accuses Israel of Gaza Genocide

Amnesty International has accused Israel of "committing genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza since the onset of the war last year, describing its latest report as a "wake-up call" for the international community. The London-based human rights organization cited dehumanizing statements from Israeli officials, satellite imagery, and ground reports from Gazans to support its claims. Amnesty's chief, Agnes Callamard, highlighted the systematic treatment of Palestinians as "subhuman" and called for immediate action to halt what she termed genocide. The report details 15 air strikes from October 7, 2023, to April 20 that resulted in 334 civilian deaths, with no evidence of military targets. Amidst the ongoing conflict, which has claimed at least 44,532 lives in Gaza, Amnesty also plans to release a report on Hamas's actions during its October 7 attack, which killed 1,208 people in Israel, primarily civilians. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 6 am

Far-Left Demands Macron's Resignation After No-Confidence Vote

France's hard-left political faction has intensified calls for President Emmanuel Macron's resignation following a no-confidence vote that ousted Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government. Mathilde Panot, leader of the parliamentary group of the France Unbowed (LFI) party, addressed reporters, stating, "We are now calling on Macron to go," and emphasized the need for early presidential elections to address the escalating political crisis. The demand reflects growing discontent within the political landscape as opposition parties seek to capitalize on the government's instability. The situation underscores the challenges facing Macron's administration, as calls for a shift in leadership gain momentum amid widespread dissatisfaction. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 3 am

French Lawmakers Remove PM Michel Barnier in No-Confidence Vote

French lawmakers have voted to remove Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government after just three months in office, marking the first successful no-confidence motion in over sixty years. The motion, initiated by the hard left and supported by Marine Le Pen's far-right party, passed with 331 votes in the National Assembly, which is now deeply divided following this summer's snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament. President Emmanuel Macron faces the challenging task of selecting a new prime minister with over two years remaining in his term, as calls for his resignation grow amidst a looming public-sector strike over austerity measures. The political turmoil has raised concerns about stability in France, with unions mobilizing against proposed budget cuts. Observers suggest that Le Pen's actions may have backfired, potentially jeopardizing her support base ahead of her upcoming trial for embezzlement. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 1 am

700 Bangladeshi Terrorists Escape from Prison After Jailbreak

Around 700 inmates remain at large following a series of mass jailbreaks in Bangladesh during the summer protests that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After fleeing to India in August, Hasina's government collapsed amid widespread unrest, which saw approximately 2,200 inmates escape from five prisons across the country. Prisons chief Syed Mohammad Motaher Hossain reported that around 1,500 of the escapees have been recaptured, with 70 identified as either "terrorists" or "death row convicts." Notably, a violent attack on a prison in Narsingdi on July 19 resulted in hundreds of inmates being freed. Police spokesman Imam Hossain Sagar confirmed ongoing efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitives and emphasized the need for police stations to remain vigilant, particularly regarding several high-profile criminals who had been granted bail following Hasina's departure from power. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 2 am

Telegram Addresses Child Abuse Images Post-Founder's Arrest

Telegram is set to implement new measures to combat the spread of child sexual abuse imagery after partnering with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a UK-based charity. The messaging app, which boasts over 950 million monthly users, will utilize IWF's tools and data to detect and remove such content. This initiative follows the arrest of Telegram's founder, Pavel Durov, in August on charges related to the platform's failure to address extremist and abusive content. The IWF has identified thousands of instances of child sexual abuse imagery on Telegram since 2022, and the new collaboration aims to enhance the platform's ability to block illegal material. Derek Ray-Hill, interim CEO of the IWF, described the partnership as a "transformational first step," while Telegram's Remi Vaughn emphasized that the new tools will bolster existing protections on the platform. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 12 am

Hamas Warns Hostages Will Be "Neutralised" If Israel Rescues

Hamas has issued a warning regarding Israel's potential plans for a hostage rescue operation, similar to one conducted in June at Gaza's Nuseirat camp, threatening to "neutralise" captives if such an operation occurs. In an internal statement dated November 22, Hamas instructed its operatives to disregard potential repercussions and assigned responsibility for the hostages' fate to Israel. The statement, shared by the intelligence unit of Hamas's military wing, Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades, did not specify when an Israeli operation might occur. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz acknowledged increasing pressure on Hamas, suggesting progress could be made towards a hostage deal. The Nuseirat operation on June 9 resulted in the rescue of four hostages but also led to significant casualties, with over 200 deaths reported. Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, 2023, Israel's military actions have resulted in the deaths of over 44,500 Palestinians. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 12 am

Kuwait Minister Calls PM Modi One of World's Wisest Leaders

Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to New Delhi, describing him as one of the wisest leaders globally and emphasizing the importance of India as a key partner for Kuwait. Al-Yahya's remarks came during a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, where he expressed confidence in strengthening the multifaceted relationship between the two nations. Modi reciprocated the sentiment, thanking Kuwait for its support of the Indian community, which is the largest expatriate group in the Gulf state, with around one million members contributing to various sectors. The historical ties between India and Kuwait, rooted in trade and cultural exchange, were highlighted, with both leaders expressing commitment to advancing cooperation. The visit aims to address bilateral issues and enhance economic ties, recognizing the enduring partnership that has existed since before Kuwait's independence in 1961. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 12 am

Martial Law: Top Google Search in South Korea

SEOUL: The term "martial law" surged to the top of Google searches in South Korea on Wednesday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of such measures, which he attributed to opposition "anti-state activities." The term saw over 2 million searches in just 24 hours, a more than thousand percent increase from the previous day. Other trending topics included "currency exchange rate" and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly advised Yoon on the declaration. The president lifted the martial law just hours later after the National Assembly voted against it, leading to a spike in traffic on South Korea's largest internet portal, Naver, which briefly experienced disruptions. In response to the incident, Yoon convened a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and leaders of the ruling People Power Party to discuss follow-up measures, as the opposition prepared to submit an impeachment motion for a vote as early as Friday. sources

Published:
Dec 05 2024, 12 am

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