Global politics

[Psy-Fi]

Putin calls up 160,000 men to Russian army in latest conscription drive, at crucial moment in Ukraine war

[Psy-Fi]

Libya expels aid groups accused of 'African' population plot

Libyan authorities have accused aid groups of plotting to change the country's ethnic make-up by encouraging African migrants to stay there, and has ordered them to close their offices.

Ten groups have been singled out - including Doctors Without Borders, the UN refugee agency, and Norwegian Refugee Council.

"This plan to settle migrants of African origin in our country represents a hostile act. It aims to change the demographic composition of the country and threatens the balance of Libyan society," said Internal Security Authority spokesman Salem Gheit on Thursday.

[Psy-Fi]

Police summon US scholar in Thailand after army alleges he insulted the monarchy

BANGKOK -- The Thai army has filed a criminal complaint against an American scholar working in Thailand, alleging that he insulted the country's monarchy, an offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

[Psy-Fi]

Marine Le Pen verdict fuels debate that Europe's 'rule of law' is throttling the 'will of the people'

[Psy-Fi]

Red Crescent calls for inquiry into Israel's killing of Gaza paramedics

[Psy-Fi]

DR Congo repatriates three Americans who faced death penalty over failed coup attempt

Three Americans have been transferred to the United States after their death sentences over a foiled deadly coup were commuted to life imprisonment last week by Congolese authorities, in the wake of talks with US government officials.

The Americans, Marcel Malanga, Tyler Thompson Jr., and Benjamin Reuben Zalman-Polun were among 37 people sentenced to death by a military court in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September for participating in the failed coup led by Malanga's father, Christian.

At least six people, including Christian Malanga, an opposition politician were killed in a gun battle with presidential guards as the putschists sought to overthrow the government last May.

"They will serve their life sentences in the United States," presidential spokesperson Tina Salama told CNN, adding that the three Americans were flown to the US Tuesday.

I predict a Trump pardon in their future.

[Psy-Fi]

Taliban enforcers arrest men for having the wrong hairstyle or skipping mosque

The Vice and Virtue Ministry published laws last August covering many aspects everyday life in Afghanistan, including public transport, music, shaving and celebrations. Most notably, the ministry issued a ban on women's voices and bare faces in public.

[Psy-Fi]

US and Iran hold 'constructive' first round of nuclear talks

[Psy-Fi]

Israeli strike destroys part of last fully functioning hospital in Gaza City as offensive escalates

[Mindy]

[Psy-Fi]

Multiple French prisons attacked in response to government's narco crackdown

Several French prisons were attacked overnight in response to government efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking, senior officials said on Tuesday, as authorities grapple with what they have called a "tsunami" of cocaine coming into the country.

Unknown assailants fired automatic weapons at the prison in the southern city of Toulon, while vehicles were burned outside other lockups across the country and staff were threatened. It was not immediately clear whether the attacks were coordinated, or who carried them out.

[Psy-Fi]

Peru's ex-president and first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail

Peru's former president, Ollanta Humala, has been found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

A court in the capital, Lima, said he had accepted illegal funds from the Venezuelan president at the time, Hugo Chávez, and from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to bankroll his election campaigns in 2006 and 2011.

Humala's lawyer said he would appeal against the conviction.

His wife, Nadine Heredia, was also found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in jail. However, she has been granted safe passage to Brazil after seeking asylum in the Brazilian embassy.

[Mindy]

[Psy-Fi]

The EU moves to fast-track asylum claims by migrants from 7 countries to speed deportation

Migrants from Bangladesh, Colombia, Morocco and Tunisia are unlikely to be granted asylum in Europe and should have their applications fast-tracked so they can be sent home more quickly, the European Union's executive branch said Wednesday.

The European Commission said that seven countries – also including Egypt, India and Kosovo – should be designated as "safe third countries." Applications by their citizens for international protection in Europe would be wrapped up in three months rather than the usual six.

In total, more than 200,000 people from these countries applied for asylum last year.

[Psy-Fi]

US-Somali airstrike as battle rages for key town

I wonder how many U.S. Special Operations Forces are currently on the ground in Somalia?