British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the situation in Ukraine over phone on Saturday, according to a 10 Downing Street announcement.

Johnson and Macron updated one another on their respective discussions with international partners, including the former's Feb. 1 visit to Kyiv.
They agreed that finding a diplomatic solution to the current tensions must remain the "overriding priority."
The leaders said "NATO must be united in the face of Russian aggression," and agreed to continue to work together to develop a "package of sanctions" that would come into force immediately should Russia further invade Ukraine.
Russian forces in 2014 invaded the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine and annexed the Crimean peninsula.
It is now said to have amassed thousands of troops near Ukraine’s borders, prompting fears that it could be planning another military offensive.
The US and its allies have warned of an imminent attack and threatened Russia of “severe consequences.”
Moscow has denied it is preparing to invade Ukraine, and said its troops are there for exercises.
- The leaders discussed their work to strengthen NATO’s Eastern flank, ensuring that allies are fully defended against malicious Russian activity, wherever and however it might occur - the readout said.
Johnson also reiterated his "commitment to work with France on the shared challenge of illegal migration" in the English Channel.
Macron is set to travel to Moscow on Monday and Kyiv on Tuesday to try to deescalate the crisis conflagrated by Russia’s military buildup around Ukraine’s borders.
He has repeatedly expressed concern about the situation on the ground and held multiple phone exchanges in recent days with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, as well as with US President Joe Biden.

Johnson, Macron agree diplomatic solutions to current tensions must remain "overriding priority"

British PM, French president discuss Ukraine over phone

Senegal’s President Macky Sall was elected as the African Union’s new chairperson on Saturday.

Sall, who has led Senegal since 2012, succeeds Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for a one-year term.
He was elected by his peers at the start of a two-day AU summit in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, which will focus on addressing the myriad of challenges facing the continent, including persistent conflicts, a spike in military coups, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his inaugural speech, Sall said Africa is beset by a multitude of problems despite its commendable progress over the past few decades.
- We face challenges in maintaining peace and security, and we cannot turn away from the devastating effects of war that are leading to the disintegration of social cohesion - he said.
The only way forward is to address the root causes of these issues and work together to resolve them, Sall emphasized.

Despite being a continent of more than 1 billion people, Africa remains underrepresented in the UN, UN Security Council (UNSC), and other important global institutions, said Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

- Africa should have at least 2 permanent seats in the UNSC - he said.
About his government’s conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in northern Ethiopia, Abiy said his administration is exploring every avenue for peace and has initiated a national dialogue to help resolve the country’s problems.

Macky Sall succeeds DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi for 1-year term

Senegal’s President Sall becomes new African Union chief

In its attempts to withstand the “diplomatic boycott” of the Winter Olympics, China on Thursday called for the "depoliticization of sports."
- Sports have nothing to do with politics - said Wang Wenbin, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman.
- The Winter Olympic Games is not a stage for political posturing - Wang said as Beijing is set to host the world’s biggest winter games next February.
The US, UK, Canada, and Australia have, however, said they will not send any officials to represent their nations at the opening ceremony of the games. The ban does not apply to their sportspersons.
Wang called on these countries to “demonstrate a more united Olympic spirit instead of undermining the Olympic cause,” Chinese public broadcaster CGTN reported.
- They will have to pay the price for this mistake - he said, referring to the countries that will not send their officials to the Winter Olympics.
The spokesman tried to fend off any “ripple effect” due to the diplomatic offensive by the US and its allies.
- It’s not worth worrying whether there are ripple effects from individual countries - Wang said. - We will see the success of the Games no matter whether their officials will come.-He said many heads of state, government officials, and members of royal families have registered to attend the Beijing 2022.

Beijing says with or without "boycotting" nations, "we will see success of Beijing Winter Olympics"

Wang Wenbin: Sports have nothing to do with politics

China pushes back "efforts to politicize sports"

Four children and a woman were injured in a dawn attack on a camp for internally displaced persons managed by the UN in Yemen’s Ma’rib Al Wadi district, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Thursday.

The IOM urgently called on all parties to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect civilian lives.
- Families have fled for their lives and come to this site to seek safety from ongoing hostilities. Civilians should never be a target - said IOM Yemen’s chief of mission Christa Rottensteiner.
The injured, one of whom was critical, were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
IOM said its teams are ensuring that the affected family receives the medical care and other urgent assistance.
Al Hamma displacement site hosts nearly 250 households made up of around 1,500 people.&nbsp;IOM said it had provided shelter, essential relief items, water, sanitation, and hygiene services since 2019.&nbsp;No IOM staff were injured in the attack.Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including Sanaa.
A Saudi-led coalition aimed at reinstating the Yemeni government has worsened the situation, causing one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises.
Nearly 80% of the population, or about 30 million, need humanitarian assistance and protection, and more than 13 million people are in danger of starvation, according to UN estimates.
A recent UN report projected that by the year’s end, the death toll from the seven-year Yemeni conflict will reach 377,000.

International Organization for Migration calls on all parties to conflict in Yemen to protect civilian lives

The IOM urgently called on all parties to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect civilian lives

Children among 5 injured in missile attack on UN-managed site in Yemen

US President Joe Biden kicked off a virtual Summit for Democracy on Thursday, saying democracy does not happen by accident and needs renewal with each generation.

- This gathering has been on my mind for a long time for a simple reason - Biden said at the opening of the two-day event.
- In the face of sustained and alarming challenges to democracy, universal human rights, and all around the world, democracy needs champions - he said.
The event brings together leaders from government, civil society and the private sector.
Biden said renewing democracy and strengthening democratic institutions even in the US requires constant effort.
He noted that around the world, press freedom is under threat and said the US is committed to launching efforts to sustain independent media around the world.
- This summit is a kickoff of a year in action for all of our countries to follow through on our commitments, and report back next year on the progress we've made - he said.
- Democracies are not all the same, we don’t agree on everything, all of us in this meeting today, but the choices we make together are going to define, in my view, the course of our shared future for generations to come - he added.

Democracy needs champions in face of sustained, alarming challenges, says Joe Biden

US president kicks off first "Summit for Democracy"

Russia has begun the deliveries of long-range S-400 missile defense system to India, said Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Monday.

- Supplies have begun this month and will continue to happen - Shringla said in a press briefing after a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin at India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi.
Regarding the US' Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Shringla said: "I don't think this issue came up at all in talks with Russian delegation."
New Delhi and Russia inked a $5.5 billion deal for the S-400 system in 2018, a move that opened India to possible US sanctions.
Washington has long tried to deter countries from buying military equipment from Russia, threatening them with punitive measures under CAATSA.
India moved forward with the deal despite Washington’s warnings that a waiver from CAATSA was unlikely, maintaining that it has strategic ties with both Russia and the US.
Lloyd Austin, the US secretary of defense, reiterated during his March visit to India that all US allies and partners should shun Russian hardware and “avoid any kind of acquisition that would trigger sanctions.”

New Delhi and Russia inked $5.5B deal for S-400 system in 2018

New Delhi and Russia inked a $5.5 billion deal for the S-400 system in 2018, a move that opened India to possible US sanctions

Russia begins supply of S-400 defense system to India

Russia said it does not expect a breakthrough in a video meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden later on Tuesday.

- No need to expect any breakthrough from this conversation. This is a working talk that is taking place during a very difficult period - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow.
Peskov said the meeting demonstrates that despite major disagreements, Putin and Biden were ready to hold talks.
Russia seeks "a good, predictable relationship" with the US, the spokesman said, adding that Putin was willing to hear out Biden's concerns.
- However, the talk should be respectful of both partners' interests and concerns - he stressed.
Peskov refused to comment on a recent statement by Ukraine's Defense Ministry accusing Moscow of provoking its military forces, saying only that Russia has no plans to attack another country.
In response to US media reports that Washington is preparing fresh sanctions against Moscow, the spokesman said that while there was no confirmation of such intentions, "the US predictability in this matter leaves much to be desired."
Separately, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov alleged that Kyiv was deliberately inciting Washington to oppose Moscow ahead of the presidential summit.
- We'll see how the conversation (between Putin and Biden) progresses, but we're also concerned about how Kyiv is provoking its curators - he said.
Despite disagreements and differing interpretations of the 2014 Minsk Protocol, Russia seeks US support in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, and it is heavily reliant on the US because the Kyiv authorities seem to be listening to no one but Washington, he said.
The Russian and US presidents will hold a video phone call on Tuesday at around 6 p.m. Moscow time (1500GMT).

This is a working talk that is taking place during a very difficult period,' says Kremlin spokesman

Moscow expects no breakthroughs in Putin-Biden video meeting

Palestinian hunger striker Kayed al-Fasfous is proud of defeating the Israeli occupation by his “empty-stomach” campaign.


Al-Fasfous, 32, staged a 131-day hunger strike in protest of his detention under Israel’s administrative detention policy, which allows Tel Aviv to hold Palestinians without trial or charge.
He was finally freed by Israel on Sunday.
- I’m ready to repeat my hunger strike again if rearrested without charge - a defiant al-Fasfous told Anadolu Agency from his hospital bed on Tuesday.-&nbsp;- I’m a strong-willed. I will strike again if they (Israel) hold me again under their administrative detention policy - he said.Al-Fasfous, from the West Bank town of Dura, was detained by Israeli forces in July 2020 without charge and remained in prison until he was released after staging his hunger strike.
He had previously served seven years in Israeli prisons.
- Since I started my hunger strike, I was subjected to physical and psychological torture in Israeli prison. I was handcuffed and assaulted. They placed me in solitary confinement -&nbsp; al-Fasfous said.There are 4,650 Palestinians in Israeli jails, including 500 held under administrative detention policy without charge or trial, according to Palestinian NGOs that follow prisoners' affairs.

Kayed al-Fasfous staged 131-day hunger strike to protest his administrative detention

Palestinian hunger striker remains defiant in face of Israeli detention

A fire that ravaged Burundi central prison in the capital Gitega on Tuesday morning left at least 38 people dead and 69 others wounded, a senior official said.

Visiting the site to assess damages caused by the early morning inferno, Burundian Vice President Prosper Bazombanza said the fire, attributed to a short circuit, broke out at around 04.00 a.m. (0200GMT) and completely destroyed parts of the prison. The injured were evacuated to hospital.
The prison facility in the landlocked East African country accommodated about 1,500 prisoners, according to the jail authorities.
As fire trucks and ambulances rushed to the site, soldiers and policemen manned all roads leading to the Gitega Central Prison.
About seven fire trucks were deployed to put out the fire and several nurses and doctors were mobilized to save lives.
In August this year, a similar fire triggered by a short circuit had affected a section of the central prison but caused no major damage.

At least 69 prisoners also injured at Burundi central prison, says vice president

The prison facility in the landlocked East African country accommodated about 1,500 prisoners, according to the jail authorities

38 perish in Burundi prison inferno

Turkey and Qatar on Tuesday signed 15 new agreements to boost cooperation between the two countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani participated in the signing ceremony of 12 of the agreements in various areas, including trade, investment, development, culture, youth, sports, diplomacy, health, religious affairs, and the media.
A memorandum of understanding on disaster and emergency management and an agreement to establish institutional cooperation between Turkey’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum and Qatar’s Doha Forum were also signed between the two countries.
Turkey’s Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) and the Qatar Development Bank also inked a memorandum of understanding.
A deal between the Turkish Standards Institute (TurkStat) and the Qatar General Organization for Standardization was also signed.
Another memorandum of understanding was signed between the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey and the Qatari Businessmen’s Association.
Anadolu Agency, Turkey’s leading news source, and the Qatari News Agency are also expected to sign a cooperation agreement in the field of the media.
Following the signing ceremony, Erdogan and Al Thani are expected to attend the 7th meeting of the Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.
Earlier, Erdogan was welcomed with an official ceremony by Al Thani, and the duo held a one-on-one meeting at the Amiri Diwan, the emir’s office.
Erdogan arrived in the Qatari capital Doha on Monday for a two-day working visit at the invitation of Al Thani.

Agreements cover various areas including trade, investment, development, culture, diplomacy, health

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Turkey, Qatar sign 15 new agreements to develop bilateral ties

Qatar and Turkey are expected to sign 12 new agreements during a visit by the Turkish president, its Gulf nation's foreign minister said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Qatar's capital Doha, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani hailed the Turkish economy as one "built on a solid foundation" while underlining that his country maintains "massive investments" in Turkey.
On Monday, Erdogan will be in Qatar for a two-day official visit to attend the seventh meeting of the Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee.
His visit comes at the invitation of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Turkey’s Communications Directorate said on Sunday in a statement.
The two leaders are expected to review bilateral relations in all dimensions and discuss steps that can be taken to deepen cooperation, in addition to regional and international issues.
The Qatari top diplomat also noted that the Turkish-Qatari summit will address the Palestinian issue, developments in Syria, and Afghanistan.

Turkish president to visit Doha for the 7th meeting of Turkey-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee

Turkey, Qatar set to ink 12 new deals: Qatari foreign minister

A video meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden will be held on Tuesday at around 6 p.m. Moscow time (1500GMT), Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Monday.

The whole meeting will be closed, there will be no live broadcast, while a video of the first minutes of the meeting will be shared on the Kremlin website, Peskov told reporters in Moscow.
- We believe that this will be a sufficiently thorough and lengthy video conference, held via a secure line of communication. We think that it will be lengthy in time - he said.
Putin and Biden will discuss tensions around Ukraine, NATO's advance to the Russian borders, and Moscow's demand to provide guarantees about the alliance's non-expansion, and implementation of the agreements reached during the Geneva summit in June.
The meeting is expected to be a direct conversation between the two leaders, but Peskov admitted that some other officials can also take part in it.
Following the meeting, the Kremlin press service will publish a routine statement and Putin does not plan to hold a news conference or any other press events, he said.

Kremlin spokesman says neither live broadcasting nor news conference or press briefing planned following meeting

US, Russian presidents to hold closed video meeting on Dec. 7

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday met with former Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Farid Hijab in the Qatar's capital Doha.

In a Twitter post, Cavusoglu said he exchanged views on the recent developments in Syria with Hijab.
Hijab served as the Syrian prime minister from June to August 2012.
Syria has been ravaged by civil war since early 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Riyad Farid Hijab exchange views on recent developments in Syria

Turkish foreign minister meets former Syrian premier in Doha

The head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service traveled to the United States on Sunday for talks with US officials on Iran's nuclear program.

David Barnea is expected to hand the US officials "updated intelligence on Tehran's efforts" regarding its nuclear activities, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.
The Mossad chief will convey Israel's messages to intensify sanctions on Iran along with putting a real military threat on the table against Tehran, the daily said.
According to the newspaper, Barnea will inform Washington that Israel will not be bound to any nuclear deal with Iran and will keep its efforts to quell Iran's nuclear activity.
- Iran will not have nuclear weapons, not in the coming years, not ever. That is my promise, that is Mossad's promise - Barnea said on Friday.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz is scheduled to visit Washington on Wednesday to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for talks on Iran's nuclear program.
Following a five-month break, Iran and world powers resumed their talks in Vienna on Monday in a last-ditch attempt to restore the 2015 nuclear accord that former US President Donald Trump's administration withdrew from in May 2018.
The talks, however, ended on Thursday without achieving a breakthrough.

David Barnea to tell US officials Israel won’t be bound to any Iran deal

David Barnea is expected to hand the US officials "updated intelligence on Tehran's efforts" regarding its nuclear activities

Israeli spy chief visits Washington for talks on Iran

The Tripoli Court of Appeal on Monday overturned an earlier verdict to exclude Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar from this month’s presidential elections, according to local media.

The private Libya Al-Ahrar TV said the court ruled to allow Haftar to run in the Dec. 24 polls.
Last week, a court in the western city of al-Zawiya issued a ruling to exclude Haftar from the vote.
Last month, a Libyan court had disqualified Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of former strongman Muammar Gaddafi, from the polls, before he appealed the verdict.
On Wednesday, Libya’s elections commission is expected to announce a final list of candidates for the presidential polls.
Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections are set to take place on Dec. 24 under a UN-sponsored agreement reached by Libyan political rivals during meetings in Tunisia last November.
Libyans hope that the upcoming elections will contribute to ending an armed conflict that has plagued the oil-rich country for years.

On Wednesday, Libya’s elections commission to announce final list of candidates for Dec. 24 polls

Libyan court allows Haftar to run for presidency

Turkey exports coffee to 144 countries, including the US, Belarus, the Netherlands and Russia.

The nation’s exports amounted to $65.5 million in the last five years while annual coffee exports more than doubled in 2021 versus 2016.&nbsp;Turkey's coffee exports totaled $9.2 million in 2016, $10.7 million in 2017, $12.1 million in 2018, $13.3 million in 2019 and $20.2 million in 2020.Coffee exports totaled $18.7 million in the first 10 months of 2021.
The main five destinations for the exports were Saudi Arabia, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the Netherlands, US and Iraq from 2016 - 2019. The US replaced Russia in 2020.
Coffee imports were $891.25 million during from 2016 - 2020, $130.5 million in 2016, $191.8 million in 2017, $186.6 million in 2018, $194.7 million in 2019 and $187.6 million in 2020.&nbsp;Import reached $165.3 million during the first 10 months of 2021.&nbsp;Top coffee sellers to Turkey were Brazil, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and Germany from 2016 - 2018.&nbsp;Switzerland replaced Colombia in 2019 and 2020.

Saudi Arabia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Netherlands main destinations for Turkish coffee exports

Coffee exports totaled $18.7 million in the first 10 months of 2021.

British PM, French president discuss Ukraine over phone

Senegal’s President Sall becomes new African Union chief

China pushes back "efforts to politicize sports"

Children among 5 injured in missile attack on UN-managed site in Yemen

US president kicks off first "Summit for Democracy"

Russia begins supply of S-400 defense system to India

Moscow expects no breakthroughs in Putin-Biden video meeting

Palestinian hunger striker remains defiant in face of Israeli detention

38 perish in Burundi prison inferno

Turkey, Qatar sign 15 new agreements to develop bilateral ties

Turkey, Qatar set to ink 12 new deals: Qatari foreign minister

US, Russian presidents to hold closed video meeting on Dec. 7

Turkish foreign minister meets former Syrian premier in Doha

Israeli spy chief visits Washington for talks on Iran

Libyan court allows Haftar to run for presidency

Turkish coffee consumed in 144 countries

World

British PM, French president discuss Ukraine over phone

Senegal’s President Sall becomes new African Union chief

China pushes back "efforts to politicize sports"

Children among 5 injured in missile attack on UN-managed site in Yemen

US president kicks off first "Summit for Democracy"

Russia begins supply of S-400 defense system to India

Moscow expects no breakthroughs in Putin-Biden video meeting

Palestinian hunger striker remains defiant in face of Israeli detention

38 perish in Burundi prison inferno

Turkey, Qatar sign 15 new agreements to develop bilateral ties

Turkey, Qatar set to ink 12 new deals: Qatari foreign minister

US, Russian presidents to hold closed video meeting on Dec. 7

Turkish foreign minister meets former Syrian premier in Doha

Israeli spy chief visits Washington for talks on Iran

Libyan court allows Haftar to run for presidency

Turkish coffee consumed in 144 countries