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43 minutes ago
- Politics
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UN criticizes German plan to deport Afghans
The U.N. on Friday criticized a plan by Germany to deport Afghan criminals to Afghanistan, a day after the interior minister said he would seek direct contact with the Taliban over this issue. Germany stopped deportations following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, but the rise of far-right and anti-immigrant politicians has seen the issue rise up the agenda. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Thursday he envisaged Germany "making agreements directly with Afghanistan to enable deportations." But Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the United Nations Human Rights Office, told reporters in Geneva it was "not appropriate to return people to Afghanistan." "We have been documenting continuing human rights violations in Afghanistan," she said, including denial of women's rights and executions. "In other words... the conditions on the ground are not yet ready for returns," he said.
LBCI
43 minutes ago
- Politics
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Ukraine says Russia launched 550 drones, missiles
Ukraine on Friday said Russia had launched 550 drones and missiles at the war-battered country overnight, as the Kremlin steps up aerial attacks and U.S.-led peace talks stall. The Ukrainian Air Force said Moscow had launched 539 drones and 11 missiles, adding that air defense units had downed 268 drones and two missiles. AFP
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43 minutes ago
- Politics
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Saudi FM says priority now is to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said on Friday that the priority now is to reach a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, in response to a question about the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel. The minister made the remarks during a visit to Moscow. Reuters
LBCI
44 minutes ago
- Politics
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Reuters: Hezbollah considering scaling back its arsenal
Hezbollah has launched a major strategic review following its devastating war with Israel, which includes discussions about reducing its role as an armed group—though without fully surrendering its weapons, three informed sources told Reuters. A regional security source and a senior Lebanese official said there are also doubts about how much support Iran, now emerging from a fierce conflict with Israel, can continue to provide. Another senior official familiar with Hezbollah's internal deliberations said the group is holding secret discussions over its next steps. The official added that small committees are meeting either in person or remotely to discuss issues such as the group's leadership structure, political role, social and development work, and its weapons. According to the official and two other sources familiar with the talks, Hezbollah has concluded that the vast arsenal it built to deter Israel and prevent attacks on Lebanon has become a liability. 'Hezbollah had a surplus of power, and all that power turned into a curse,' the official said, emphasizing that Hezbollah is 'not suicidal.' The sources said Hezbollah is now considering handing over some of the weapons it stores in other parts of the country—particularly missiles and drones, which pose the biggest threat to Israel—on the condition that Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon and halts its attacks. However, the sources said the group will not give up its entire arsenal. Hezbollah, for example, plans to retain light weapons and anti-tank missiles as a means of repelling future attacks.
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44 minutes ago
- Politics
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Myanmar junta says 93 child soldiers already released, as it counters UN criticism
Myanmar's ruling junta said on Friday it had already discharged 93 minors from military service, countering a United Nations report last month that accused it and allies of recruiting more than 400 children, many in combat roles. In a rare admission published in its mouthpiece newspaper, the junta said it conducted a verification process last year that resulted in the discharge of 93 verified minors, who were also provided with financial assistance. "To date, only 18 suspected minor cases remain pending verification," a government-run committee said in a statement published in the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. Reuters
