NEWS
Mass Grave of 155 Kurds Exhumed in Southern Iraq
January 20, 2025
Mass Grave of 155 Kurds Exhumed in Southern Iraq
A second mass grave in less than a month, containing the remains of 155 Kurds killed by the former Iraqi regime, was exhumed on Sunday in Muthanna province, southern Iraq, Rudaw news agency reported yesterday. The state-affiliated Martyrs Foundation reported…
Uyghurs in Thailand Launch Hunger Strike Amid Deportation Fears
January 20, 2025
Uyghurs in Thailand Launch Hunger Strike Amid Deportation Fears
Dozens of Uyghur men detained in Thailand have entered the second week of a hunger strike, protesting against what they fear is imminent deportation to China, where they could face torture and imprisonment, New York Times reported. The detainees began…
Imports flock Australia from firms blacklisted by US over alleged Uyghur forced labour links
January 20, 2025
Imports flock Australia from firms blacklisted by US over alleged Uyghur forced labour links
Australia has permitted the import of thousands of products from Chinese companies blacklisted by the US over allegations of forced labor linked to the Uyghur minority, The Guardian reported. Since 2020, over 3,300 import declarations have identified these companies as…
EU, UNHCR launch €36 million aid program for displaced Afghans
January 19, 2025
EU, UNHCR launch €36 million aid program for displaced Afghans
The European Union (EU) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have signed a €36 million agreement to support displaced Afghans and host communities in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asia. The initiative aims to provide protection, livelihood opportunities, and essential…
Pope Francis sparks controversy: Proposal for a Bektashi state in Albania
January 19, 2025
Pope Francis sparks controversy: Proposal for a Bektashi state in Albania
Pope Francis has stirred debate following an unprecedented meeting with a delegation from the Bektashi Sufi order, during which his remarks raised questions about implicit support for establishing a “Bektashi Islamic state” in Albania akin to Vatican City. The meeting,…
Chairlift accident leaves 10 people injured in Spain’s Pyrenees
January 19, 2025
Chairlift accident leaves 10 people injured in Spain’s Pyrenees
A chairlift accident at the Astún ski resort in Spain has left 10 people injured, including two 18-year-old women in intensive care, the BBC reported late Saturday. The incident, caused by a pulley failure that slackened a cable and caused…
Robotic surgeries safer for complex liver procedures, new study suggests
January 19, 2025
Robotic surgeries safer for complex liver procedures, new study suggests
Robotic surgeries may be the best option for complex liver operations, a new study suggests. Researchers at a New York City hospital analyzed 353 liver surgeries performed from 2017 to 2023. Among them, 112 were open surgeries, 107 were laparoscopic,…
CENTCOM commander visits Syria, highlights risks Al-Hol Camp poses
January 19, 2025
CENTCOM commander visits Syria, highlights risks Al-Hol Camp poses
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Syria on Thursday to assess efforts to combat ISIS and address regional challenges, CENTCOM said in a statement on Friday. During the visit, Gen. Kurilla toured the Al-Hol displacement…
HRW: Taliban intensified rights crackdown amid worsening humanitarian situation in 2024
January 19, 2025
HRW: Taliban intensified rights crackdown amid worsening humanitarian situation in 2024
Taliban intensified their restrictions on human rights in Afghanistan during 2024, with women and girls facing the brunt of these policies, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report it published on it official website. Afghanistan remains the only country…
World Uyghur Congress organizes global protests against deportation of Uyghur refugees to China
January 19, 2025
World Uyghur Congress organizes global protests against deportation of Uyghur refugees to China
The World Uyghur Congress and affiliated organizations staged protests worldwide on Saturday, urging the Thai government not to repatriate 48 Uyghur refugees to China, ANI reported. Activists rallied outside Thai embassies, emphasizing the severe risk of persecution, torture, and forced…