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UN Deeply Concerned over Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Iran

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech on disarmament and denuclearization at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech on disarmament and denuclearization at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
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UN Deeply Concerned over Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Iran

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech on disarmament and denuclearization at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivers a speech on disarmament and denuclearization at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 24, 2018. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation in Iran.

In a report on Wednesday, the UN chief stressed that the human rights situation in Iran “remains a matter of grave concern due to the continuous and massive violations.”

He revealed “violent repression in which the security forces used excessive and lethal force in the face of nationwide protests in November 2019 and January 2020.”

Guterres also expressed concern over the implementation of the death penalty at high rates, including against child offenders.

He said the authorities are issuing charges against individuals who are critical of the regime, including human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists, imposing on them long prison terms.

The UN chief mentioned "reports of widespread acts of torture and arbitrary detention, as well as the continuing discrimination against women, girls and minorities."

Guterres urged Iran to hold fair trials in accordance with international conventions and respect the rights of citizens to free speech, assembly, and peaceful protests, and uphold the rights of minorities and political prisoners and civil, human rights, and labor activists.

In a related development, independent human rights experts have welcomed the release of long-imprisoned Iranian woman human rights defender Narges Mohammadi, after an Iranian court made use of a new law to reduce her sentence.

“We are encouraged that the decision of the Iranian judiciary has led to Ms. Mohammadi’s release after so many years in prison,” they said. “We hope that others who are currently detained arbitrarily – human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, conservationists, prisoners of conscience and dual and foreign nationals – will also be freed.”

Mohammadi, released on October 8, has been imprisoned for her human rights work many times.

The experts said there are many other individuals who remain behind bars in Iran simply for exercising their human rights.

“We urge the Iranian authorities to also urgently review their cases, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its presence in Iran’s prisons, and to immediately release all individuals who are being arbitrarily detained in violation of international human rights law.”

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World

Australian Lawmakers Back Stricter Gun, Hate Crime Laws

A visitor places a pebble at a memorial site in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A visitor places a pebble at a memorial site in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)
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Australian Lawmakers Back Stricter Gun, Hate Crime Laws

A visitor places a pebble at a memorial site in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)
A visitor places a pebble at a memorial site in remembrance to the lives lost during the Bondi Beach mass shooting on December 14, 2025, in Sydney, Australia, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)

Australian politicians voted in favor of tougher hate crime and gun laws Tuesday, weeks after gunmen targeting Jewish people on Bondi Beach killed 15 people.

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives backed the legislation in response to the December 14 shooting at the famous Sydney beach.

Sajid Akram and his son Naveed allegedly targeted a Jewish Hanukkah celebration in the nation's worst mass shooting for 30 years.

The attack has sparked national soul-searching about antisemitism, anger over the failure to shield Jewish Australians from harm, and promises to protect the country with stiffer legislation.

The hate crime and gun control legislation must still be approved by the upper house Senate, which was expected to vote later in the day.

"The terrorists had hate in their hearts, but they also had high-powered rifles in their hands," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told parliament.

"We're taking action on both -- tackling antisemitism, tackling hate, and getting dangerous guns off our streets."

Legislative reforms on guns and hate speech were voted on separately.

The hate speech legislation would toughen laws and penalties for people seeking to spread hate and radicalization, or to promote violence.

It creates aggravated offences for offenders who are preachers, other leaders, or adults seeking to radicalize children.

The reform would also make it easier to reject or cancel visas for people suspected of terrorism or espousing hatred on the basis of race, color, or origin.

On firearms, Australia would set up a national gun buyback scheme, tighten rules on imports of firearms and expand background checking for gun permits to allow input from intelligence services.

The legislation was debated in a special session of parliament, ahead of a national day of mourning on Thursday for the Bondi Beach victims.

Gunman Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the Bondi Beach attack. An Indian national, he entered Australia on a visa in 1998.

His 24-year-old son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen who remains in prison, has been charged with terrorism and 15 murders.

Police and intelligence agencies are facing difficult questions about whether they could have acted earlier.

Naveed Akram was flagged by Australia's intelligence agency in 2019, but he slipped off the radar after it was decided that he posed no imminent threat.

World

Macron Sent Message to Trump Offering to Host G7 Meeting in Paris Thursday

French President Emmanuel Macron wears sunglasses as he speaks as he leads a meeting on New-Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 January 2026. EPA/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron wears sunglasses as he speaks as he leads a meeting on New-Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 January 2026. EPA/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT
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Macron Sent Message to Trump Offering to Host G7 Meeting in Paris Thursday

French President Emmanuel Macron wears sunglasses as he speaks as he leads a meeting on New-Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 January 2026. EPA/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT
French President Emmanuel Macron wears sunglasses as he speaks as he leads a meeting on New-Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 January 2026. EPA/STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / POOL MAXPPP OUT

Emmanuel Macron has sent a "private message" to Donald Trump offering to organize a G7 summit in Paris on Thursday in which Russia could be invited on the sidelines, the French president's entourage confirmed.

Trump posted this message on his Truth Social network in which Macron also proposes inviting Ukraine to the meeting as well as Denmark to discuss disagreements over Greenland.

The offer comes as Europe is weighing countermeasures after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries in a bid to pressure the EU over Greenland.

"My friend, we are completely aligned on Syria. We can do great things in Iran. I don't understand what you are doing in Greenland," Macron said in his message.

"I can organize a G7 meeting in Paris on Thursday afternoon after Davos," Macron wrote, referring to the gathering of global elites in Switzerland where the US president is set to be in attendance.

"I can invite the Ukrainians, the Danes, the Syrians and the Russians on the sidelines" of the meeting, he added.

Trump's relations with Macron hit a new low Monday when the US president threatened 200 percent tariffs on French wine over France's intention to decline an invitation to join his "Board of Peace".

"Tariff threats to influence our foreign policy are unacceptable and ineffective," a source close to Macron told AFP on Tuesday.

World

ISIS Claims Deadly Blast at Chinese-run Restaurant in Afghan Capital

Security forces stand at the site of an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, 19 January 2026. EPA/SAMIULLAH POPAL
Security forces stand at the site of an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, 19 January 2026. EPA/SAMIULLAH POPAL
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ISIS Claims Deadly Blast at Chinese-run Restaurant in Afghan Capital

Security forces stand at the site of an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, 19 January 2026. EPA/SAMIULLAH POPAL
Security forces stand at the site of an explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, 19 January 2026. EPA/SAMIULLAH POPAL

ISIS claimed an explosion that officials said killed a Chinese national and six Afghans, while injuring several more as it tore through a Chinese-run restaurant in a heavily guarded part of Afghanistan's capital.

Monday's blast took place in the commercial Shahr-e-Naw area that is home to offices, shopping complexes and embassies, police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said.

It is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in the city.

According to Reuters, the Afghan branch of ISIS claimed responsibility, saying in a statement it ‌was carried out ‌by a suicide bomber.

The restaurant serving the Chinese ‌Muslim ⁠community was jointly run ‌by a Chinese Muslim man, Abdul Majid, his wife, and an Afghan partner, Abdul Jabbar Mahmood, Zadran said.

"The nature of the explosion is unknown so far and is being investigated," he said.

A Chinese national, identified only as Ayub, and six Afghans were killed in the blast near the restaurant's kitchen, while several others were injured, Zadran added.

The Amaq news agency said the domestic arm of ISIS had put Chinese citizens on its list of targets, citing "growing crimes by the Chinese government against ‌Uyghurs".

Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of Uyghurs, ‍a mainly Muslim ethnic minority group ‍numbering about 10 million who live in China's far western region of ‍Xinjiang.

Beijing denies any abuse and has accused Western countries of interference and peddling lies.

The blast injured five Chinese nationals, and China has requested that Afghanistan spare no effort to treat the injured, Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Tuesday.

China also requested that Afghanistan take effective measures to protect the safety of ⁠its citizens and investments, and investigate, Guo said.

On Monday, videos shared on social media showed smoke billowing from a large hole torn in the facade of the restaurant building, while debris littered the street outside.

"We have received 20 people at our hospital," Dejan Panic, the Afghanistan director of humanitarian group EMERGENCY, said in a statement, adding that seven were dead on arrival. "Among the wounded are four women and a child."