News Wire | December 2022 Archive

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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
U.S. Says Russia’s Wagner Group Bought North Korean Weapons for Ukraine War

By Steve Holland | Reuters

The private Russian military company, the Wagner Group, took delivery of an arms shipment from North Korea to help bolster Russian forces in Ukraine, a sign of the group’s expanding role in that conflict, the White House said Thursday.

Guaido, the Face of Opposition in Venezuela, May Be on His Way Out

By Isayen Herrera & Julie Turkewitz | The New York Times

The lawmaker may soon be voted out of power by the opposition, which no longer sees his interim government as a path to “real political change” against the country’s authoritarian government.

More from WPR: Elections Are Still the Best Hope for Venezuela’s Opposition

Three Dead, Three Wounded in Paris Shooting; Suspect Arrested

By Angela Charlton | Associated Press (free)

A shooting targeting a Kurdish cultural center in a bustling Paris neighborhood Friday left three people dead and three others wounded, authorities said. A 69-year-old suspect was wounded and arrested.

U.S. Senate Passes $1.7 Trillion Spending Bill That Includes New Aid for Kyiv

By Felicia Schwartz & James Politi | Financial Times

The U.S. Senate has approved $1.7 trillion annual spending bill to avoid a government shutdown and release $45 billion in additional funds to support Ukraine, the day after a stirring plea from Volodymyr Zelensky, the country’s president.

Congress Votes to Expand U.S. Power to Prosecute International War Crimes

By Aishvarya Kavi | The New York Times

Congress gave final approval on Thursday to a bill to expand the U.S. government’s power to prosecute international war crimes suspects who are in the United States, allowing them to be tried in a federal court regardless of the nationality of the victim or the perpetrator, or where the crime was committed.

Brazil’s Lula Taps 16 Ministers Ahead of Inauguration

By Diane Jeantet | Associated Press (free)

Brazil’s president-elect, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, appointed 16 ministers Thursday, tapping two members of his party who oversaw states in Brazil’s northeast to run the country’s education and welfare systems.

More from WPR: Now Lula Has to Prove His Pro-Democracy Credentials Outside Brazil

Venezuelan Arrested for Involvement in Murder of Paraguayan Anti-Mafia Prosecutor

Reuters

A Venezuelan man has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the May murder of a Paraguayan prosecutor in Colombia, Venezuela's interior minister said on Thursday.

More from WPR: Drugs, Corruption and Organized Crime Make for a Deadly Mix in Paraguay

Former Argentina Policeman Gets 15 Years in Jail for Dirty War-Era Crimes

By Maximilian Heath | Reuters

An Argentine court has sentenced a former police officer extradited from France to 15 years in jail for the kidnapping and disappearance of a young man during the country’s so-called Dirty War some four decades ago, a court clerk said Thursday.

Chile to Open Embassy in Palestinian Territories, Says President

By Natalia A. Ramos Miranda | Reuters

Chile plans to open an embassy in the Palestinian territories, President Gabriel Boric said late Wednesday, which could make the Andean country one of only a handful to have an embassy-level office in the territories that are contested with Israel.

Brussels to Withhold Part of Hungary’s Regional Aid Over Reform Failures

By Sam Fleming & Marton Dunai | Financial Times

Brussels has warned it will hold back most of Hungary’s regional aid because Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government has yet to enact reforms aimed at ensuring the country’s judicial independence.

More from WPR: In Its Rule-of-Law Standoff With Hungary, the EU Just Blinked

Germany Accuses One of Its Intelligence Officers of Being a Russian Spy

By Erika Solomon | The New York Times

A member of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service has been arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia and is being charged with treason, national prosecutors said Thursday.

Scotland Passes Law Making Legal Gender Change Easier

By Miriam Berger | The Washington Post

Scotland’s Parliament passed a hotly debated law on Thursday that makes it easier for transgender people to legally change their legal gender, amid similar moves in some countries in Europe and the passage of anti-trans laws in the United States.

Togo Presidency to Oversee Armed Forces Amid Security Woes

By Yan Zhuang | Al Jazeera (free)

Togo’s president, Faure Gnassingbe, will oversee the armed forces as part of a reshuffle amid growing security concerns in the northern regions, according to a decree which has been announced.

Mali’s Northern Armed Groups Pull Out of Algiers Peace Talks

Reuters

A coalition of armed groups in northern Mali on Thursday pulled out of long-running peace talks based on a 2015 Algiers accord because of what they call a lack of political will on the part of the West African country’s military government.

Shell to Pay $15 Million Settlement Over Oil Spills in Nigeria

Reuters (free)

Shell will pay $15.9 million to communities in Nigeria that were affected by multiple oil pipeline leaks in the Niger Delta, the oil company has announced.

Islamic State Suspected to Be Behind Series of Attacks in Iraq

By David S. Cloud & Ghassan Adnan | The Wall Street Journal

Suspected Islamic State militants ambushed a military patrol in northern Iraq late Wednesday, killing two Iraqi soldiers and wounding three others, Iraqi security officials said, in the latest sign that the group is attempting a violent resurgence.

Fuel Costs Are Still Rising in Jordan, and People Want to Know Why

By Sarah Dadouch | The Washington Post

A rise in fuel prices in Jordan has set off nationwide demonstrations, snarling traffic and supply chains and threatening the stability of a U.S. ally that has struggled to insulate itself from the global economic downturn.

Fiji’s Rabuka Expected to Be Next Prime Minister After Kingmaker Party Support

By Lucy Craymer & Kirsty Needham | Reuters

Fiji’s opposition leader Sitiveni Rabuka is expected to become prime minister when Parliament sits Saturday after winning backing from a coalition of three parties, signaling an end to Frank Bainimarama’s 16 years in power.

Japan to Unveil Record $864 Billion Budget Driven by Military Costs

By Tetsushi Kajimoto & Takaya Yamaguchi | Reuters

Japan is set to unveil Friday a record $864 billion budget for the next fiscal year from April, pushed up by increased military spending and higher social security costs for a fast-aging population, according to a final draft reviewed by Reuters.

South Korea Ramps Up Arms Exports in Goal to Become World Supplier

By Min Joo Kim, Michelle Ye Hee Lee & Dan Lamothe | The Washington Post

Amid Russia’s war in Ukraine, the rising demand for arms among Western countries has presented an unprecedented opportunity for South Korea’s defense industry to become a top arms seller and global player.

Pakistan’s Punjab Government Sacked in Blow to Ex-PM Khan’s Snap Polls Plan

By Mubasher Bukhari | Reuters

A key ally of Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was removed Friday as chief minister of the country’s largest province, dealing blow to Khan’s plans to force snap polls in the South Asian nation.

More from WPR: Pakistan’s Political Crisis May Be Reaching a Breaking Point

Netanyahu Announces New Government With Sweeping Powers to Far-Right Allies

By Shira Rubin | The Washington Post (free)

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu announced the formation of the most far-right government in the country’s history Wednesday night, marking the imminent return of its longest-serving leader and granting an unprecedented portion of power to his far-right and ultra-Orthodox allies, who have vowed to make far-reaching legislative changes in the country.

More from WPR: Netanyahu’s New Partners Could Spell Trouble for U.S.-Israel Ties

Amid a Show of Unity, Zelensky and Biden Differ on Some War Needs

By Karen DeYoung & Missy Ryan | The Washington Post

Beyond the sincere expressions of Ukrainian gratitude and firm pledges of ongoing American support, President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Biden came together Wednesday with specific, and sometimes differing, goals for their meeting.

More from WPR: U.S. ‘War Profiteering’ in Ukraine Is a Red Herring

'We're Waiting': Migrants Throng U.S.-Mexico Border in Asylum Limbo

By Jose Luis Gonzalez & Daina Beth Solomon | Reuters

Hundreds of migrants bundled in coats and blankets formed a long line in cold winter air at the U.S.-Mexico border Wednesday, hoping the Christmas period will bring an end to uncertainty over their hopes of securing asylum in the United States.

More from WPR: U.S. Border Policy Must Adapt to the Region’s New Migration Patterns

U.S. Adds Sanctions on Iran Over Violence Against Protesters

Reuters

The United States targeted Iran with a fresh round of sanctions Wednesday, including against Tehran’s prosecutor general, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury website.

More from WPR: The U.S. and Europe Are Misreading the Protests in Iran

Peru’s Defense Minister Named PM in Cabinet Shuffle After Protests

Reuters

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte promoted the country’s defense chief to the prime minister’s job as part of a shuffle of her 11-day-old Cabinet on Wednesday, a move that followed protests this month that have left roughly two dozen people dead.

More from WPR: Coup or Democracy in Action? In Latin America, It Depends Who’s Asking

Brazil Lawmakers Approve $28 Billion Increase in Spending Cap for Lula Plans

By Michael Pooler | Financial Times

Brazil has passed a constitutional amendment that raises a government spending cap by at least $28 billion, allowing left-wing president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to fulfill campaign pledges to provide extra funds for welfare and infrastructure.

More from WPR: Lula Will Have Trouble Keeping His Promises on Protecting the Amazon

Gunmen Tried to Kill a Famous TV Anchor. Mexico’s Leader Suggested It Was Staged

By Natalie Kitroeff | The New York Times

After assailants shot at Ciro Gomez Leyva in his own neighborhood, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador suggested that the assassination attempt was actually an effort to destabilize the government.

Putin Concedes Military Failings, but Insists Russia Will Fight On

By Yan Zhuang | The New York Times

A U.S. warship sailed through the strait separating Taiwan and China on Tuesday, the navy said, the first such passage since leaders from the two rival superpowers held a video summit.

More from WPR: Putin Is Willing to Take Russia Down With Him

France’s Macron Calls on Europe to Reduce Reliance on U.S. for Security

By Noemie Bisserbe & Stacy Meichtry | The Wall Street Journal

French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe needs to take a more assertive role within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, reducing its reliance on the U.S. and developing its own defense capabilities, to secure peace in a region rocked by the war in Ukraine.

More from WPR: Macron’s Mixed Messages on Ukraine Come With a Cost

IAEA Discusses Ukraine Nuclear Plant Protections With Russia

Associated Press (free)

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog met Thursday in Moscow with officials from Russia’s military and state atomic energy company as he pursues a long-running drive to set up a protection zone around a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Gambia Foils Alleged Coup Attempt, Arrests Four Soldiers

Reuters

Gambian authorities have foiled a military coup attempt and arrested four soldiers plotting to overthrow President Adama Barrow’s administration, the government said Wednesday.

Al-Shabab Kills Two Policemen, One Civilian in Eastern Kenya

Reuters (free)

Al-Shabab fighters have attacked a police vehicle in eastern Kenya, killing two officers and one civilian, police and the armed group said.

Somalia Repatriates Troops From Eritrea After Protests Over Recruitment

Reuters

Somalia has begun repatriating troops it said it sent for training in neighboring Eritrea, after protests in several Somali cities over accusations that they had been recruited under false pretenses and held captive.

Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian fighter in West Bank Clashes

By Raneen Sawafta | Reuters

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian combatant in clashes near a flashpoint site Thursday, underlining the continuing violence in the occupied West Bank that will confront the incoming government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Turkey Raises Monthly Minimum Wage by 55 Percent for 2023

Reuters

Turkey’s monthly minimum wage will be $455 in 2023, the Turkish presidency said Thursday, marking a 55 percent increase from the level determined in July and a 100 percent hike from January.

Watchdog: Under 1 Percent of Israel Army Probes Yield Prosecution

By Isabel Debre | Associated Press (free)

Israeli soldiers accused of harming Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip over the last five years have been indicted in less than 1 percent of the hundreds of complaints against them, an Israeli rights group reported. The watchdog argued that Israel’s military systematically fails to conduct a credible prosecution of itself.

More from WPR: Israel’s Targeting of Palestinian Journalists Is Only Getting Worse

Indian, Chinese Army Commanders Meet to End Border Standoff

By Ashok Sharma | Associated Press (free)

Indian and Chinese military commanders met in yet another attempt to end a more-than-two-year-old standoff between tens of thousands of their soldiers along their disputed border that triggered bloody clashes in 2020, an Indian Defense Ministry statement said on Thursday.

More from WPR: Two Years After Border Clashes, India Still Lacks a Coherent China Policy

Fiji Calls in Military After Close Election Is Disputed

By Nick Perry | Associated Press (free)

Fijian police on Thursday said they were calling in the military to help maintain security following a close election last week that is now being disputed.

Philippines Orders Strengthened Military Presence After ‘Chinese Activities’ Near Islands

Reuters

The Philippines’ defense ministry Thursday ordered the military to strengthen its presence in the South China Sea after monitoring “Chinese activities” in disputed waters close to a strategic Philippine-held island.

Taiwan Scrambles Jets to Warn Away Chinese Air Force Incursion

Reuters

Taiwan scrambled combat jets to warn away 39 Chinese aircraft that entered its southeastern air defense zone, the island’s defense ministry said Thursday.

More from WPR: China’s Saber-Rattling Won’t Make Taiwan Shift Course

Zelensky Will Meet With Biden in Washington and Address Congress, Officials Say

By Michael D. Shear & Emily Cochrane | The New York Times (free)

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine will meet with President Biden at the White House on Wednesday and later deliver a prime-time address to a joint session of Congress, a daring trip abroad intended to reaffirm American support for his country, White House officials announced late Tuesday night.

More from WPR: Europe Has to Step Up on Ukraine to Keep the U.S. From Stepping Back

Mexican Ambassador Expelled From Peru Over Meddling Claims

Associated Press (free)

In a roller-coaster day for Mexico’s relations with Peru, Mexico announced Tuesday it had granted asylum for the family of ousted Peruvian president Pedro Castillo. Hours later, Peru declared the Mexican ambassador to Lima persona non grata and ordered him to leave within 72 hours.

More from WPR: Coup or Democracy in Action? In Latin America, It Depends Who’s Asking

Taliban Bar Women From College Classes, in a Stark Reversal of Rights

By Christina Goldbaum & Najim Rahim | The New York Times

The Afghan government Tuesday barred women from attending private and public universities, officials said, in the latest severe blow to women’s rights under a Taliban administration that has all but reinstituted the hard-line rule the group maintained during its first stretch in power during the 1990s.

More from WPR: The U.S. Can Do More for Afghan Women Than Shame the Taliban

Congress Offers $1 Billion for Climate Aid, Falling Short of Biden’s Pledge

By Lisa Friedman | The New York Times

Congress has proposed $1 billion to help poor countries cope with climate change, a figure that falls significantly short of President Biden’s promise that the United States will spend $11.4 billion annually by 2024 to ensure developing nations can transition to clean energy and adapt to a warming planet.

Biden Administration to Send Patriot Missile System to Ukraine

By Dan Lamothe & Karen DeYoung | The Washington Post

The Biden administration will send to Ukraine the most advanced air defense weapon in its arsenal, the Patriot missile system, a senior administration official said late Tuesday, marking the most significant addition to American military support for the government in Kyiv in months.

Taliban Release Two Americans Detained in Afghanistan

By Katie Rogers | The New York Times

The Taliban released two Americans who had been detained in Afghanistan on Tuesday, including Ivor Shearer, an independent filmmaker who had been held since August, according to a person with knowledge of the release.

Peru Congress Opens Door to Early Elections Amid Unrest

By David Pereda | Associated Press (free)

Peru’s Congress tentatively endorsed a plan Tuesday to hold early elections in an attempt to defuse a national political crisis marked by deadly unrest after lawmakers ousted President Pedro Castillo.

More from WPR: Peru Turns the Page on Pedro Castillo’s Tragicomedy

Lula, Putin Talk on ‘Strategic’ Brazil-Russia Relations

Reuters

Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had congratulated him on his recent election win and talked of stronger relations between the two countries.

More from WPR: Now Lula Has to Prove His Pro-Democracy Credentials Outside Brazil

El Salvador’s Congress Approves Pension System Reforms

Reuters

El Salvador’s Congress on Tuesday approved reforms to increase pensions and create a state entity to supervise the retirement income system, despite criticism from experts who argued the measures were insufficient.

A Putin Ally Meets With China’s Top Leader, Highlighting Ties as Russia’s Isolation Grows

By Yan Zhuang | The New York Times

A close ally of President Vladimir Putin of Russia met with China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, on Wednesday, a sign of the countries’ alignment amid Russia’s deepening international isolation.

More from WPR: A War-Weakened Russia Has No Strategic Value to China

No Conclusive Evidence Russia Is Behind Nord Stream Attack

By Shane Harris, John Hudson, Missy Ryan & Michael Birnbaum | The Washington Post

After explosions in late September severely damaged undersea pipelines built to carry natural gas from Russia to Europe, world leaders quickly blamed Moscow for a brazen and dangerous act of sabotage. With winter approaching, it appeared the Kremlin intended to strangle the flow of energy to millions across the continent, an act of “blackmail,” some leaders said, designed to threaten countries into withdrawing their financial and military support for Ukraine.

Union Chief Resigns in EU-Qatar Bribery Scandal

By Silvia Sciorilli Borrelli, Valentina Pop & Simeon Kerr | Financial Times

The secretary-general of the International Trade Union Confederation has resigned less than one month after taking office as he admitted to taking thousands of euros in cash from the MEP at the centre of a corruption scandal in the European parliament.

More from WPR: The EU Parliament’s Qatar-gate Scandal Doesn’t Make Sense—Yet 

Swiss Government Rejects Third Gender Option, at Least for Now

Associated Press (free)

The Swiss government Wednesday rejected the idea of introducing a third gender option or no-gender option for official records, a position which differs from that of some neighboring countries.

Germany Returns Nigerian Bronzes, Notes Its ‘Dark Past’

By Chinedu Asadu | Associated Press (free)

Germany returned 20 historic bronze sculptures to Nigeria as part of efforts to address its “dark colonial past,” the German foreign minister said Tuesday.

More from WPR: Slowly but Surely, Africa’s Plundered Artifacts Are Coming Home

Growing Pressure on Rwanda From France, Germany Over Congo

By Cara Anna | Associated Press (free)

International pressure is growing on Rwanda as France and Germany are the latest parties to openly accuse the country of supporting armed rebels in neighboring eastern Congo—with possible repercussions for foreign aid that Kigali has long enjoyed.

More from WPR: M23 Violence Overshadows Eastern Congo Peace Talks

World Bank Releases $100 Million for Zambia Amid Delays in Debt Restructuring

Reuters

The World Bank is releasing $100 million for Zambia amid substantial delays in its debt restructuring efforts as its creditors drag their feet, it said Wednesday.

U.N. Security Council Eases Weapons Embargo on DR Congo

Reuters

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday eased a weapons embargo meant to stem rebel fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and renewed a peacekeeping mission there for another year.

U.S. Commandos Capture Six ISIS Officials in Raids in Syria

By Eric Schmitt | The New York Times

For the second time in just over a week, U.S. Special Operations forces carried out helicopter raids against the Islamic State in eastern Syria, capturing six operatives including a senior official who the military said was involved in plotting and enabling terrorist attacks.

Iranian Minister Says Spoke to Saudi Counterpart at Jordan Conference

By Parisa Hafezi & Aziz El Yaakoubi | Reuters

Iran’s foreign minister said Wednesday he spoke with his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of a conference in Jordan the previous day, the highest-level encounter reported between officials from the rival states since they cut ties in 2016.

Israel to Hold Remains of Deceased Palestinian Prisoner

Associated Press (free)

Israel’s defense minister said Wednesday that the remains of a Palestinian prisoner who died a day earlier from lung cancer would not be released for burial.

A U.S. Ally in Iraq Vowed to Tackle Corruption. Torture and Extortion Followed

By Louisa Loveluck & Mustafa Salim | The Washington Post

A flagship anti-corruption drive under the tenure of U.S.-backed Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi used incommunicado detention, torture and sexual violence to extract confessions from senior Iraqi officials and businessmen, according to a nine-month investigation by The Washington Post.

Australia-China Foreign Ministers Meet in Bid to Repair Ties

Associated Press (free)

The foreign ministers of Australia and China met in Beijing on Wednesday in a bid to restore high-level political contacts and return stability to the countries’ tense relationship.

Twenty-Five Militants Killed in Pakistan Army Raid on Detention Center; One Hostage Dies

By Jibran Ahmad & Asif Shahzad | Reuters

Pakistan’s security forces killed 25 of 35 Islamist militants holed up in a counterterrorism center in the northwestern city of Bannu, while one hostage and two commandos died in the operation to retake the compound, the army said.

Boat With at Least 160 Rohingya Refugees Is Stranded at Sea

By Saif Hasnat & Karan Deep Singh | The New York Times

The United Nations on Tuesday appealed to countries in South Asia to help rescue a boat carrying at least 160 Rohingya refugees stranded in the Andaman Sea without food for weeks.

Putin Visits Belarus, Stirring New Concern on Future of Ukraine War

By Anatoly Kurmanaev, Andrew E. Kramer & Michael Levenson | The New York Times (free)

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia made a rare visit to Belarus on Monday to strengthen his bond with the country’s president and his closest regional ally, Alexander Lukashenko, a fellow strongman who has been under growing pressure from Moscow to provide more support for the war in Ukraine.

Jan. 6 Panel Accuses Trump of Insurrection and Refers Him to Justice Department

By Luke Broadwater | The New York Times

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol accused former President Donald J. Trump on Monday of inciting insurrection, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an act of Congress and one other federal crime as it referred him to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.

High Court Temporarily Blocks Lifting of Asylum Restrictions

By Rebecca Santana | Associated Press (free)

The Supreme Court is temporarily blocking an order that would lift pandemic-era restrictions on asylum-seekers but the brief order leaves open the prospect that the restrictions in place since the coronavirus pandemic began and have been used to turn back hundreds of thousands of prospective asylum seekers could still expire on Wednesday.

More from WPR: U.S. Border Policy Must Adapt to the Region’s New Migration Patterns

U.S. Cybermilitary Force Reveals Details of Its Support for Ukraine

By Julian E. Barnes | The New York Times

The Pentagon’s Cyber National Mission force has been supporting Ukraine’s digital defense with daily consultations, a collaboration that has helped unearth thousands of warning indicators of potentially compromised Ukrainian computer networks, a top U.S. cybercommander said Monday.

More from WPR: Ukraine Hasn’t Won the Cyber War Against Russia Yet

Peru Calls Colombian President’s Statements ‘Unacceptable Interference’ in Domestic Affairs

Reuters

Peru’s foreign ministry Monday called Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s recent and repeated statements about the political crisis in Peru an “unacceptable interference” in its domestic affairs.

More from WPR: Coup or Democracy in Action? In Latin America, It Depends Who’s Asking

Biden Meets Ecuador’s President as Immigration Crisis Grows

By Steve Holland & Jarrett Renshaw | Reuters

President Joe Biden met Ecuador President Guillermo Lasso on Monday to discuss efforts to stem the flow of migrants to the United States as the White House faces increased pressure over its immigration policies.

Colombia’s ELN Rebels Announce End-of-Year Cease-Fire

Al Jazeera (free)

Colombia’s largest remaining rebel group has announced a unilateral cease-fire over the end-of-year holiday period, a week after the National Liberation Army and the Colombian government concluded a first round of peace negotiations.

More from WPR: Petro’s Road to ‘Total Peace’ for Colombia Passes Through Venezuela

Dutch Prime Minister Apologizes for Centuries of Slave Trade

By Sammy Westfall | The Washington Post

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte offered an official apology Monday on behalf of the Dutch government for more than two centuries of Dutch slavery—remarks that come months ahead of the 160th anniversary of its abolition.

German Court Sentences Ex-Concentration Camp Secretary to Probation

By Christopher F. Schuetze | The New York Times

A court in Germany on Tuesday sentenced a 97-year-old woman to two years’ probation for her role in abetting over 10,000 murders committed during her tenure as a teenage concentration camp secretary in World War II, as prosecutors race to bring justice to the last surviving participants of the Nazi killing machine.

U.K. Government Refuses to Give Way on Pay as Nurses, Medics Strike

By Jill Lawless | Associated Press (free)

The British government said Tuesday it will not offer more money to nurses and ambulance crews to end strikes that are piling pressure on an already overstretched health system.

Ghana to Default on Most External Debt as Economic Crisis Worsens

Christian Akorlie & Cooper Inveen | Reuters

Ghana on Monday suspended payments on most of its external debt, effectively defaulting as the country struggles to plug its cavernous balance of payments deficit.

More from WPR: Ghana’s Protesters Are Trying to Wake Up a ‘Sleeping’ President

IMF Approves Disbursement of $447.39 Million to Kenya

Reuters

The International Monetary Fund’s board has approved the disbursement of $447.39 million to Kenya after a review of its lending program, the fund said Tuesday.

Tunisia Judge Imprisons Former Prime Minister Ali Laarayedh

Reuters

Tunisia’s anti-terrorism judge decided to imprison Ali Laarayedh, a former prime minister and senior official in the Islamist opposition Ennahda party, after hours of investigation into suspicions of sending jihadists to Syria, lawyers said Monday.

More from WPR: Saied’s Power Grab May Provoke a Backlash in Tunisia

Three Jordanian Police Officers Killed in Raid as Social Unrest Continues

By James Shotter | Financial Times

Three Jordanian police officers were killed Monday as the authorities grapple with an outbreak of social unrest in a kingdom that is an important ally of the west and has long been seen as one of the most stable countries in the Middle East.

Palestinians Call for Strike After Prisoner Dies of Cancer

Associated Press (free)

Palestinian factions called for a general strike in the occupied West Bank and urged Palestinians to confront Israeli troops Tuesday after a Palestinian prisoner died of lung cancer.

Libyan Court Sentences 17 Former Islamic State Members to Death

By Rami Musa | Associated Press (free)

A Libyan court sentenced 17 former members of the Islamic State group to death, a statement from the country’s Tripoli-based top prosecutor said on Monday.

Fiji Has New Government After Three Parties Form Coalition

By Kirsty Needham | Reuters

Fiji will have a new leader for the first time in 16 years after a national election resulted in three parties joining up to form a government in the Pacific island nation, dislodging Frank Bainimarama’s Fiji First party.

U.S. Flies Bombers, Stealth Jets as Kim’s Sister Threatens

By Hyung-Jin Kim | Associated Press (free)

The United States flew nuclear-capable bombers and advanced stealth jets in a show of force against North Korea on Tuesday, as the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un derided doubts about her country’s military and threatened a full-range intercontinental ballistic missile test.

More from WPR: North Korea’s Muscle-Flexing Is Driving Seismic Shifts in East Asia

Jose Maria Sison, Philippine Communist Party Founder, Dies at 83

By Seth Mydans | The New York Times

Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines and its long-running guerrilla insurgency, died Friday in exile in the Netherlands, where he had lived for decades. He was 83.

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