A Yale University report reveals that President Putin and senior Kremlin officials authorized a coerced adoption program for Ukrainian children during the Ukraine war. The investigation identified 314 children placed in this program since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The report provides strong evidence for war crimes charges against Putin and others, citing direct orders and financial support from Russian officials. This could strengthen the case against Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, already named in an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for deporting Ukrainian children. Ava Sinclair 03/12/2024 1:30 pm
Eight years after Russia helped Assad regain Aleppo, Syrian rebels under “Deterrence of Aggression” recaptured it, escalating the war. The coalition includes Islamist factions like Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a former al Qaeda affiliate. Despite distancing from al Qaeda and ISIS, HTS remains designated a terrorist group by the U.S. Jolani’s influence grew despite setbacks, with HTS controlling Idlib’s economy. Jolani claims HTS poses no threat to the West. Noah Prescott 03/12/2024 1:30 pm
Ukraine criticized the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which saw it relinquish nuclear weapons for unfulfilled security assurances, as it seeks NATO membership amid fears of Russian aggression. The foreign ministry called the agreement a strategic failure, urging Euro-Atlantic leaders to consider Ukraine’s interests. Ukraine has denounced the memorandum since 2014, following Russia’s annexation of Crimea. President Zelenskiy rejected returning to similar agreements, emphasizing the need to avoid past mistakes. Ava Sinclair 03/12/2024 1:30 pm
Marine Le Pen announced her National Rally would join the left-wing New Popular Front to bring down France’s government over budget disputes. Prime Minister Michel Barnier attempted to appease Le Pen by addressing tax concerns but ultimately bypassed a parliamentary vote using a constitutional article. Le Pen criticized Barnier’s plan, citing higher taxes, and confirmed her party would support a motion of censure against the government, arguing that Barnier failed to meet their demands and worsened the situation. Noah Prescott 03/12/2024 1:30 pm
Diplomats at a UN conference in Busan failed to agree on a treaty to tackle plastic pollution, with major disagreements over limiting plastic production and phasing out harmful chemicals. Oil-producing nations, including Saudi Arabia, opposed production curbs, arguing the issue is pollution, not plastics. Rwanda, advocating for a strong treaty, criticized the lack of support from some countries. Environmental groups called for a binding agreement, while protests highlighted the urgency of the issue. Talks will reconvene in the coming months. Penelope Kingsley 03/12/2024 6:30 am
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a no-confidence vote after pushing through a controversial social security financing bill. His minority government, formed post-inconclusive elections, is opposed by both left and right factions. The leftist bloc and far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, plan to lodge no-confidence motions. If RN supports the left, Barnier’s government could fall, marking the first successful no-confidence vote since 1962. Barnier used Article 49.3 to pass the bill without a vote, sparking further opposition. Penelope Kingsley 03/12/2024 6:30 am
President-elect Donald Trump will attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this weekend, marking his first foreign trip since the election. The cathedral, nearly destroyed by a fire in 2019, has undergone over five years of reconstruction. The high-security event will host around 50 world leaders. Trump praised President Emmanuel Macron for the restoration efforts and expressed excitement for the occasion. This visit follows Trump’s May 2023 trip to Scotland and Ireland as a candidate. Ava Sinclair 03/12/2024 6:30 am
NATO is unlikely to invite Ukraine to join at an upcoming meeting, disappointing Kyiv’s hopes for a political boost amid ongoing conflict. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha argued that membership would counter Russia’s justification for war. However, consensus among NATO’s 32 members is lacking, with diplomats suggesting it could take months. The meeting will focus on increasing support for Ukraine, with the U.S. announcing a $725 million weapons package. Ukraine views NATO membership as crucial for its security under the alliance’s mutual defense pact. Ava Sinclair 03/12/2024 3:00 am
Amid a fragile ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel and a weakened Hamas, Syria emerges as a concern for Iran. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels have challenged Assad by capturing Aleppo, prompting Russian airstrikes and Iranian-backed militias to support Assad. Khamenei criticized extremist Sunni factions for diverting focus from Palestine, aligning with his belief in Muslim unity against external threats like Israel. This reflects Iran’s broader Islamist leadership ambitions. Ava Sinclair 03/12/2024 3:00 am
Joe Biden’s visit to Angola marks his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as US president, focusing on trade and infrastructure to counter China’s influence. Angola, historically aligned with China and Russia, has shifted towards the US under President João Lourenço. Biden’s key initiative is the Lobito Corridor, a railway connecting mineral-rich regions to Angola’s coast, offering an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The project’s future under a potential Trump administration remains uncertain, though it aims to compete with China. Angola hopes for continued US engagement. Ava Sinclair 03/12/2024 3:00 am
