February 23, 2021 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Russia

Amnesty International says it will not call Navalny ‘prisoner of conscience’ anymore over his HATE SPEECH

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

Amnesty International, a human rights NGO, has withdrawn its designation of the recently jailed Russian activist and blogger Alexey Navalny as a “prisoner of conscience” due to past xenophobic statements he never retracted. … Read More >Amnesty International says it will not call Navalny ‘prisoner of conscience’ anymore over his HATE SPEECH

EU

2nd French region set for new Covid-19 restrictions as PM worried by ‘sharp deterioration of health indicators’ in Dunkirk

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

The French prime minister has called for “additional braking measures” in the northern city of Dunkirk amid a rapidly deteriorating situation with case rates soaring to almost five times above the national average. … Read More >2nd French region set for new Covid-19 restrictions as PM worried by ‘sharp deterioration of health indicators’ in Dunkirk

Afghanistan saw violence against civilians rise despite peace negotiations – UN report

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

A UN report has laid out the “terrible suffering endured by Afghan citizens” throughout 2020, despite peace talks taking place, leaving the country as one of the “deadliest places in the world” for a civilian. … Read More >Afghanistan saw violence against civilians rise despite peace negotiations – UN report

World

Facebook to lift ban on Australia’s news after standoff as Canberra agrees to amend law forcing Big Tech to pay media

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

Facebook has vowed to revive thousands of Australian news pages after the government said it would amend its new media code, which requires web platforms to pay for news content, following a weeklong standoff. … Read More >Facebook to lift ban on Australia’s news after standoff as Canberra agrees to amend law forcing Big Tech to pay media

Fresh protests erupt in Lebanon amid public fury over Beirut port blast, legal system and financial issues

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

Fiery clashes between protesters and police have erupted in Lebanon, as public anger grows over the port explosion in Beirut and other escalating issues, including overseas students being blocked from receiving money. … Read More >Fresh protests erupt in Lebanon amid public fury over Beirut port blast, legal system and financial issues

USA

‘7 minutes of terror’: NASA reveals final nerve-shredding moments of rover’s descent to Mars (VIDEO)

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

Footage of the tense final moments of NASA landing its Perseverance rover on the surface of Mars has been released by the US space agency, with the clip capturing incredible details of the Red Planet’s rugged terrain. … Read More >‘7 minutes of terror’: NASA reveals final nerve-shredding moments of rover’s descent to Mars (VIDEO)

World

Protesters rally in Algerian capital, marking rebirth of popular Hirak uprising that ousted President Bouteflika in 2019

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

Despite a heavy police presence, thousands of people have joined protests across the Algerian capital in a resurgence of the Hirak demonstrations that forced the country’s then-president to resign two years ago. … Read More >Protesters rally in Algerian capital, marking rebirth of popular Hirak uprising that ousted President Bouteflika in 2019

Iran will enrich uranium up to 60% if it wants to, Khamenei warns amid discontent over IAEA deal

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

If Iran wanted nuclear weapons, it would have them, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared, suggesting Tehran may continue enriching uranium up to 60 percent. The statement followed outcry over President Hassan Rouhani’s IAEA deal. … Read More >Iran will enrich uranium up to 60% if it wants to, Khamenei warns amid discontent over IAEA deal

Iranian parliament calls for President Rouhani to be prosecuted over ‘illegal’ agreement with IAEA

Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021By Editor

A majority of Iranian lawmakers voted on Monday to pass a motion condemning the country’s president, Hassan Rouhani, for agreeing a deal between his government and the UN nuclear watchdog, and called for his prosecution. … Read More >Iranian parliament calls for President Rouhani to be prosecuted over ‘illegal’ agreement with IAEA