Iran and six powers fail to strike deal by November 24 deadline
Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations to resolve a 12-year standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions will be extended for another seven months, after both sides failed to strike a deal before the self-imposed November 24 deadline. The P5+1 refers to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France) in addition to Germany. A definitive deal will compel Iran to limit its nuclear activities for peaceful purposes in exchange for some relief from the United-States-backed economic sanctions.
Obama administration forces Pentagon chief to step down
United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel submitted his resignation on Monday after less than two years on the job, bowing to pressure from President Barack Obama. Reports suggested that Hagel was forced to step down for his inability to devise a strategy that would prevent the rise of Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, among other foreign policy errors in the Middle East. Obama had appointed Hagel, a former Republican senator, as Defense Secretary in early 2013. He had been expected to serve during all four years of Obama's second term.
Ferguson boils after grand jury does not charge officer in teen's shooting
Violent protests swept the town of Ferguson in the state of Missouri, United States, on Monday after a grand jury decided not to indict a white police officer for the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager. In August, the shooting had unleashed a wave of violent protests. The Missouri grand jury determined that there was no probable cause to charge officer Darren Wilson with any crime for the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The incident has perpetuated longstanding racial tensions in the city, which has a majority black population. The city's administrative power structure, however, is dominated by the white populace.
Christian woman on death row in Pakistan files appeal in SC
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, filed her final appeal on Monday in the nation's supreme court to avoid execution. She has been on death row since 2010 after being convicted of allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad during an argument over a glass of well-water. Asia has constantly denied these charges.
Russia establishes Moscow's authority over breakaway part of Georgia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a treaty to expand Moscow's control over Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia. Effectively, the treaty gives Moscow a dominant role in Abkhazia's military and economic policy, besides making it easier for its residents to obtain Russian citizenship. On the other hand, it has raised fears among Western European nations and the United States over Russia's expansionist ambitions and explicit support of the violent separatist uprising in Eastern Ukraine.
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Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of nations to resolve a 12-year standoff over Tehran's nuclear ambitions will be extended for another seven months, after both sides failed to strike a deal before the self-imposed November 24 deadline. The P5+1 refers to the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France) in addition to Germany. A definitive deal will compel Iran to limit its nuclear activities for peaceful purposes in exchange for some relief from the United-States-backed economic sanctions.
Obama administration forces Pentagon chief to step down
United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel submitted his resignation on Monday after less than two years on the job, bowing to pressure from President Barack Obama. Reports suggested that Hagel was forced to step down for his inability to devise a strategy that would prevent the rise of Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, among other foreign policy errors in the Middle East. Obama had appointed Hagel, a former Republican senator, as Defense Secretary in early 2013. He had been expected to serve during all four years of Obama's second term.
Ferguson boils after grand jury does not charge officer in teen's shooting
Violent protests swept the town of Ferguson in the state of Missouri, United States, on Monday after a grand jury decided not to indict a white police officer for the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager. In August, the shooting had unleashed a wave of violent protests. The Missouri grand jury determined that there was no probable cause to charge officer Darren Wilson with any crime for the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. The incident has perpetuated longstanding racial tensions in the city, which has a majority black population. The city's administrative power structure, however, is dominated by the white populace.
Christian woman on death row in Pakistan files appeal in SC
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, filed her final appeal on Monday in the nation's supreme court to avoid execution. She has been on death row since 2010 after being convicted of allegedly insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad during an argument over a glass of well-water. Asia has constantly denied these charges.
Russia establishes Moscow's authority over breakaway part of Georgia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed a treaty to expand Moscow's control over Abkhazia, a breakaway region of Georgia. Effectively, the treaty gives Moscow a dominant role in Abkhazia's military and economic policy, besides making it easier for its residents to obtain Russian citizenship. On the other hand, it has raised fears among Western European nations and the United States over Russia's expansionist ambitions and explicit support of the violent separatist uprising in Eastern Ukraine.
