2021.12.08 國際新聞導讀-美俄領袖電話會談兩小時就烏克蘭等問題交換意見、美國官員將不出席北京冬奧、沙烏地與葉門胡塞政權軍之交戰激烈、緬甸翁山蘇姬被判兩年監禁、臉書被羅興雅人告並索要賠償1500億美元、印尼塞梅魯火山週一再度爆發

蘇老師講解國際新聞、中東與中亞歷史、中國事務、太空知識的頻道。 Diplomat's daily news review and history research on Middle East and Central Asia, China Affairs and Space Exploration

2021.12.08 國際新聞導讀-美俄領袖電話會談兩小時就烏克蘭等問題交換意見、美國官員將不出席北京冬奧、沙烏地與葉門胡塞政權軍之交戰激烈、緬甸翁山蘇姬被判兩年監禁、臉書被羅興雅人告並索要賠償1500億美元、印尼塞梅魯火山週一再度爆發

拜登和普京就烏克蘭和戰爭恐懼中的其他話題進行了兩個小時的會談

克里姆林宮表示，希望兩國領導人能夠舉行面對面的峰會，討論美俄關係“可悲”的狀況，美俄關係已跌至冷戰結束以來的最低水平。

通過路透

由於西方擔心莫斯科準備入侵其南部鄰國，美國總統喬拜登和俄羅斯總統弗拉基米爾普京周二就烏克蘭和其他爭端進行了兩個小時的虛擬會談。

俄羅斯電視畫面顯示，拜登和普京在緊張的交流開始時以友好的方式互相問候。拜登告訴普京，他希望他們的下一次會面是面對面的。

白宮發表聲明說會談已經開始，但沒有展示拜登所在的安全“戰情室”的任何畫面。

據白宮稱，兩位領導人談了兩小時一分鐘。

克里姆林宮曾表示，希望兩國領導人能夠舉行面對面的峰會，討論美俄關係的可悲狀況，美俄關係已跌至冷戰結束以來的最低水平。

在烏克蘭武裝部隊總參謀部於 2021 年 11 月 17 日發布的這張講義圖片中，烏克蘭武裝部隊的坦克在烏克蘭赫爾鬆地區與俄羅斯吞併的克里米亞邊界附近的一個訓練場進行軍事演習。 （圖片來源：烏克蘭武裝部隊總參謀部新聞處/路透社提供的資料）

美國官員在視頻會議前表示，拜登將告訴普京，如果攻擊烏克蘭，俄羅斯及其銀行可能會受到迄今為止最嚴厲的經濟制裁。

他們表示，制裁旨在阻止普京動用集結在烏克蘭邊境附近的數万名士兵攻擊其南部鄰國，其中一位消息人士稱，制裁可能針對俄羅斯最大的銀行以及莫斯科將盧布兌換成美元和其他貨幣的能力。

克里姆林宮在周二的會議前表示，預計不會有任何突破，但否認有任何攻擊烏克蘭的意圖，並表示其部隊姿態是防禦性的。

但莫斯科對西方對烏克蘭的軍事援助表達了越來越多的不滿，烏克蘭自 2014 年民眾起義推翻親俄羅斯總統以來一直向西方傾斜，並稱之為北約逐漸擴張。

莫斯科同樣質疑烏克蘭的意圖，並表示希望保證基輔不會使用武力試圖奪回 2014 年被俄羅斯支持的分離主義分子奪走的領土，烏克蘭排除了這種情況。

克里姆林宮發言人德米特里佩斯科夫說：“我們正在尋找與美國的良好、可預測的關係。俄羅斯從未打算攻擊任何人，但我們有我們的擔憂，我們有我們的紅線。”

白宮和英國首相鮑里斯·約翰遜的辦公室表示，在拜登與普京會談後，英國、美國、法國、德國和意大利的領導人將在格林威治標準時間 1800 舉行電話會議。

白宮表示，這些盟友週一發表了講話，並“同意就俄羅斯在烏克蘭邊境的軍事集結採取協調和全面的方法保持密切聯繫”。

'冷靜的頭腦'

佩斯科夫呼籲每個人保持“冷靜”，他說，鑑於歐洲緊張局勢異常升級，普京和拜登發表講話至關重要。

俄羅斯盧布週二小幅走弱，一些市場分析師預測談判將緩和緊張局勢，其他人則表示美國的製裁威脅削弱了找到共同點的希望。

拜登政府的一名高級官員說，拜登的團隊已經確定瞭如果俄羅斯發動入侵，將實施一系列經濟處罰。

另一位熟悉情況的消息人士稱，已經討論了針對普京的核心圈子，但沒有做出任何決定。另一位消息人士稱，也在考慮對俄羅斯最大的銀行實施制裁，並限制盧布兌換成美元和其他貨幣。

週二，俄羅斯最高銀行 Sberbank 的首席執行官 German Gref 稱這個想法是“無稽之談”，“不可能執行”。

美國有線電視新聞網報導稱，制裁可能包括將俄羅斯與世界各地銀行使用的 SWIFT 國際支付系統斷開連接的極端步驟。

彭博社報導稱，美國和歐洲盟國正在權衡針對俄羅斯直接投資基金的措施。彭博社援引知情人士的話稱，美國還可能限制投資者在二級市場上購買俄羅斯債券的能力。

拉脫維亞外交部長周二在倫敦接受采訪時表示，莫斯科在採取行動之前需要知道“經濟代價”是什麼，他說這應該擴展到俄羅斯 110 億美元通往德國的北溪 2 天然氣管道。

白宮拒絕置評。

更多歐盟制裁？

歐盟首席執行官烏爾蘇拉·馮德萊恩週二向烏克蘭表示，歐盟將全力支持烏克蘭，並表示歐盟將考慮對俄羅斯實施更多製裁。

烏克蘭和北約大國指責俄羅斯在邊境附近集結軍隊，引發對可能發生襲擊的擔憂。莫斯科否認任何此類計劃，並指責基輔在其東部集結自己的軍隊，俄羅斯支持的分裂分子控制著烏克蘭的大部分領土。

美國已敦促兩國回到 2014 年和 2015 年簽署的一系列基本未執行的協議，這些協議旨在結束烏克蘭東部的戰爭。

拜登高級政府對記者說：“他（拜登）將明確表示，如果俄羅斯選擇繼續前進，將會付出非常實際的代價，但他也將明確表示，在外交方面存在有效的推進方式。”

普京曾表示，他希望得到具有法律約束力的保證北約不會進一步向東擴張，並承諾不會在靠近俄羅斯的國家部署某些類型的武器，包括烏克蘭。

Biden, Putin talk for two hours on Ukraine, other topics amid war fears

The Kremlin said it hopes the two leaders can hold an in-person summit to discuss what the 'lamentable' state of US-Russia relations, which have sunk to their lowest since the end of the Cold War.

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 7, 2021 19:09

Updated: DECEMBER 7, 2021 19:54

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds talks with U.S. President Joe Biden via a video link in Sochi, Russia December 7, 2021.

(photo credit: SPUTNIK/SERGEI GUNEEV/KREMLIN VIA REUTERS)

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US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held two hours of virtual talks on Ukraine and other disputes on Tuesday amid Western fears that Moscow is poised to invade its southern neighbor.

Russian TV footage showed Biden and Putin greeting each other in a friendly manner at the start of what was expected to be a tense exchange. Biden told Putin he hoped their next meeting would be in person.

The White House issued a statement saying the talks had started, but did not display any visuals from the secure 'Situation Room' where Biden was located.

The two leaders talked for two hours and one minute, according to the White House.

The Kremlin has said it hopes the two leaders can hold an in-person summit to discuss what it has described as the lamentable state of US-Russia relations, which have sunk to their lowest since the end of the Cold War.

Tanks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces drive during military drills at a training ground near the border with Russian-annexed Crimea in Kherson region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine press service November 17, 2021. (credit: PRESS SERVICE OF GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

US officials said before the video conference that Biden would tell Putin that Russia and its banks could be hit with the toughest economic sanctions yet if it attacks Ukraine.

They said the sanctions, which one source said could target Russia's biggest banks and Moscow's ability to convert roubles into dollars and other currencies, were designed to dissuade Putin from using tens of thousands of troops massed near the Ukrainian border to attack its southern neighbor.

The Kremlin, which said before Tuesday's meeting it did not expect any breakthroughs, has denied harboring any intention to attack Ukraine and has said its troop posture is defensive.

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But Moscow has voiced rising vexation over Western military aid to Ukraine, a fellow former Soviet republic that has tilted towards the West since a popular revolt toppled a pro-Russian president in 2014, and what it calls creeping NATO expansion.

Moscow has likewise questioned Ukrainian intentions and said it wants guarantees that Kyiv will not use force to try to retake territory lost in 2014 to Russia-backed separatists, a scenario Ukraine has ruled out.

"We're looking for good, predictable relations with the United States. Russia has never intended to attack anyone, but we have our concerns and we have our red lines," said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Leaders from Britain, the United States, France, Germany and Italy will hold a call at 1800 GMT following the Biden-Putin talks, the White House and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said.

The same allies spoke on Monday and "agreed to stay in close touch on a coordinated and comprehensive approach in response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders," the White House said.

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Calling for everyone to keep "a cool head," Peskov said it was vital that Putin and Biden speak given what he called the extraordinary escalation of tensions in Europe.

The Russian rouble weakened slightly on Tuesday, with some market analysts predicting the talks would de-escalate tensions and others saying that the US sanctions threat eroded hopes of finding common ground.

Biden's team has identified a set of economic penalties to impose should Russia launch an invasion, a senior Biden administration official said.

A separate source familiar with the situation said targeting Putin's inner circle has been discussed but no decision made. Sanctions against Russia's biggest banks and curbing the conversion of roubles into dollars and other currencies were also being considered, another source said.

German Gref, the chief executive of Russia's top bank Sberbank, on Tuesday called that idea "nonsense" and "impossible to execute."

CNN reported sanctions could include the extreme step of disconnecting Russia from the SWIFT international payment system used by banks around the world.

Bloomberg reported that the United States and European allies were weighing measures targeting the Russian Direct Investment Fund. The United States could also restrict the ability of investors to buy Russian debt on the secondary market, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the matter.

Latvia's foreign minister said in an interview in London on Tuesday that Moscow needed to know before it acted what "the economic price tag" would be, something he said should extend to Russia's $11 billion Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany.

The White House declined to comment.

MORE EU SANCTIONS?

The European Union's chief executive, Ursula von der Leyen, offered Ukraine the EU's full support on Tuesday and said that the bloc would consider more sanctions on Russia.

Ukraine and NATO powers accuse Russia of building up troops near the border, sparking fears of a possible attack. Moscow denies any such plan and accuses Kyiv of massing its own forces in its east, where Russian-backed separatists control a large part of Ukrainian territory.

The United States has urged both countries to return to a set of largely unimplemented agreements signed in 2014 and 2015 which were designed to end the war in eastern Ukraine.

"He (Biden) will make clear that there will be very real costs should Russia choose to proceed, but he will also make clear that there is an effective way forward with respect to diplomacy," the senior Biden administration told reporters.

Putin has said he wants legally binding guarantees NATO will not expand further eastwards and a pledge that certain types of weapons will not be deployed in countries close to Russia, including Ukraine.

沙特聯軍轟炸薩那與胡塞武裝針鋒相對

儘管美國和聯合國努力在這場長達七年的戰爭中實現停火，但過去幾個月針鋒相對的暴力事件急劇升級

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發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 17:01

更新時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 21:16

人們在也門亞丁亞丁國際機場外的爆炸現場看著著火的汽車。

（照片來源：OSAMA AL-MAHRAMI / 路透社）

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在沙特在也門主導，聯盟戰鬥週二表示，轟炸軍事目標在首都薩那的伊朗比對後，胡塞發射彈道導彈和無人機武裝進入沙特，包括在吉達石油公司石油設施。

儘管美國和聯合國努力在導致可怕的人道主義危機的長達七年的戰爭中實現停火，但過去幾個月針鋒相對的暴力事件急劇升級。

該聯盟的一份聲明稱，該聯盟“對薩那的合法軍事目標進行了精確打擊”，並在過去 24 小時內還襲擊了馬里布和朱夫的胡塞目標。

胡塞軍方發言人早些時候曾表示，該組織發射了多枚彈道導彈，並使用 25 架武裝無人機襲擊了沙特目標，其中包括位於吉達的沙特阿美石油設施和位於首都利雅得的國防部。

該聯盟週一晚間表示，一枚彈道導彈在利雅得上空被攔截，當地居民報告稱發生了巨響，並摧毀了從也門向該王國發射的兩架武裝無人機。

2019 年 10 月 4 日，在也門薩那，一名男子和胡塞運動的支持者參加集會慶祝該組織在與沙特阿拉伯接壤的邊界附近取得軍事進展時高呼口號。（圖片來源：MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI/REUTERS )

在吉達設有石油產品分銷廠的沙特阿美沒有立即回應置評請求。

沒有關於胡塞襲擊造成人員傷亡或重大損失的報告，發言人說，除了利雅得的軍事基地和該市的機場外，還包括塔伊夫地區的法赫德國王空軍基地。

聯合國也門問題特使漢斯·格倫德伯格表示，也門衝突的軍事升級“令人深感震驚”，並呼籲交戰雙方保持克制。

“軍事選擇不會導致可持續的解決方案。各方有責任優先考慮平民的需求，並與聯合國為重振政治進程的努力合作，”格倫德伯格在一份聲明中說。

隨著聯盟加強對薩那和富含天然氣的馬里布的空襲，胡塞武裝加強了跨境襲擊，今年這裡成為戰爭的焦點，雙方數千名戰士在那裡喪生。

沙特指責伊朗向胡塞武裝提供導彈，而聯合國調查人員表示，其中一些武器的技術特徵與伊朗製造的武器相似。胡塞武裝說他們自己製造武器。

2015 年，在胡塞武裝將國際公認的薩那政府趕下台後，該聯盟在也門進行了乾預。

戰爭已造成數万人死亡，其中主要是平民，並將也門推向了飢荒的邊緣。

Saudi coalition bombs Sanaa in tit-for-tat violence with Houthis

The tit-for-tat violence has escalated dramatically over the last months despite efforts by the US and UN to engineer a ceasefire in the seven-year-old war

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 7, 2021 17:01

Updated: DECEMBER 7, 2021 21:16

People look at cars on fire at the site of an explosion outside Aden international airport in Aden, Yemen.

(photo credit: OSAMA AL-MAHRAMI/REUTERS)

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The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said on Tuesday it bombed military targets in the capital Sanaa after the Iran-aligned Houthis launched ballistic missiles and armed drones into Saudi Arabia, including at Aramco oil facilities in Jeddah.

The tit-for-tat violence has escalated dramatically over the last months despite efforts by the United States and the United Nations to engineer a ceasefire in the seven-year-old war that has caused a dire humanitarian crisis.

The coalition conducted "precision strikes on legitimate military targets in Sanaa" and in the last 24 hours also struck Houthi targets in Marib and Jouf, a statement from the coalition said.

The Houthi military spokesman had earlier said the group fired several ballistic missiles and used 25 armed drones in attacks on Saudi targets, including an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah and the defense ministry in the capital Riyadh.

The coalition said late on Monday one ballistic missile was intercepted over Riyadh, where residents reported loud blasts, and destroyed two armed drones launched from Yemen towards the kingdom.

Aramco, which has a petroleum products distribution plant in Jeddah, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

There were no reports of casualties or significant damage from the Houthi strikes, which the spokesman said also included King Fahad air base in Taif region in addition to military sites in Riyadh and the city's airport.

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said the military escalation of the conflict in Yemen is "deeply alarming" and called on the warring sides to exercise restraint.

"Military options will not result in sustainable solutions. The parties have a responsibility to prioritize the needs of civilians and to cooperate with the UN efforts to revive a political process," Grundberg said in a statement.

The Houthis have stepped up cross-border attacks as the coalition has intensified airstrikes on Sanaa and gas-rich Marib, which this year became the focus of the war and where thousands of fighters from both sides have been killed.

The Saudis accuse Iran of supplying the Houthis with missiles, while U.N. investigators have said some of the weapons have technical characteristics similar to arms manufactured by Iran. The Houthis say they manufacture their weapons themselves.

The coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognized government from Sanaa.

The war has killed tens of thousands, predominantly civilians, and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

美國官員因人權“暴行”抵制北京奧運會

北京威脅要對任何此類舉動採取“堅決反制”，但並未具體說明。

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發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 6 日 20:22

更新時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 07:34

2021 年 11 月 30 日，一名男子走過在中國北京舉行的 2022 年北京奧運會的標誌時，鏡子中的倒影。

（圖片來源：路透社/托馬斯·彼得）

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白宮週一表示，由於中國的人權“暴行”，美國政府官員將抵制在北京舉行的 2022 年冬季奧運會，就在旨在緩解兩個超級大國之間緊張關係的會談幾週後。

幾個月來，一些國會議員和維權團體一直鼓勵外交抵制，讓運動員可以自由前往北京參加比賽。

在周一宣布之前，北京威脅要對任何此類舉動採取未指明的“堅決反制措施”，這肯定會使已經處於幾十年來最低點的關係進一步緊張。

喬拜登總統的政府強調了華盛頓所說的針對中國西部新疆地區少數民族穆斯林的種族滅絕。

白宮新聞秘書 Jen Psaki 在每日新聞發布會上說：“面對中國在新疆的嚴重侵犯人權和暴行，美國外交或官方代表會像往常一樣對待這些遊戲，而我們根本不能那樣做。” ，指中華人民共和國。

2021 年 11 月 19 日，中國河北省張家口市，男子在通往 2022 年北京奧運會場館的高速公路上的交通標誌上工作。（來源：REUTERS/THOMAS PETER）

“美國隊的運動員得到我們的全力支持，”Psaki 補充道。“當我們在家為他們加油時，我們將 100% 支持他們。”

儘管上個月拜登與中國領導人習近平舉行了視頻會議以穩定關係，但此舉仍然存在。

中國駐華盛頓大使館稱此次抵制是“政治操縱”，因為沒有向美國政界人士發出邀請。

使館發言人劉鵬宇說：“事實上，沒有人會關心這些人來不來，這對北京2022年冬奧會的成功舉辦沒有任何影響。”

中國常駐聯合國代表團發言人在一份聲明中表示，此次抵制反映了美國的冷戰思維。

聲明說：“美國祇是想將體育政治化，製造分歧，挑起對抗。” 這種方法得不到支持，注定要失敗。”

國務卿安東尼·布林肯表示，美國就北京奧運會的“共同做法”與盟友進行了磋商。目前還不清楚他們是否會效仿美國。

加拿大外交部在一份聲明中說：“加拿大仍然對有關中國侵犯人權的令人不安的報導深感不安。” “我們被告知美國的決定，我們將繼續與我們的合作夥伴和盟友討論此事。”

澳大利亞和日本政府週二表示，他們還在考慮他們在 2 月 4 日開幕的奧運會上的立場。

日本首相岸田文雄對記者說：“我們將考慮奧運會的意義和我們的外交關係等問題，並希望根據最符合我們國家利益的方式做出自己的決定。”

布蘭妮斯皮爾斯住的地方：在流行歌星的房地產投資組合中由 Mansion Global 贊助

被推薦

新西蘭副總理格蘭特·羅伯遜 (Grant Robertson) 表示，他的國家不會派遣政府官員，但該決定主要是基於對 COVID-19 的擔憂，並且是在美國抵制之前做出的。

據新西蘭國家廣播公司 TVNZ 報導，羅伯遜對記者說：“我們已多次向中國表明我們對人權問題的擔憂——就在最近總理與習主席談話時。” “他們很清楚我們對人權的看法，但我們已經做出不參加的決定。”

歐盟外交部門負責人斯特凡諾·桑尼諾 (Stefano Sannino) 週五表示，抵制是個別成員國的問題，而不是歐盟的共同外交政策。

俄羅斯總統普京是唯一接受中國邀請的大國領導人。

美國國務院發言人內德·普萊斯告訴記者，政府不會規定私營部門的做法，但表示企業應該“充分意識到”新疆正在發生的事情。

負責監督奧運會轉播權交易的哥倫比亞廣播公司體育部前總裁尼爾·皮爾森說，外交抵制使企業奧運贊助商處於“尷尬的境地”，但與包括運動員在內的全面抵制相比，這並不令人擔憂。

康卡斯特旗下 NBCUniversal 的一位發言人表示，它將按計劃轉播奧運會。

潛在的報復

因對中國的正確記錄視而不見而受到批評的國際奧委會（IOC）表示，奧運會應該“超越政治”。

美國奧林匹克和殘奧會委員會首席執行官莎拉·赫什蘭 (Sarah Hirshland) 表示，美國隊“興奮並準備好讓這個國家感到自豪”。

許多美國運動員認為，禁止他們參加奧運會是不公平的，一些支持不派官員的美國立法者表示，在美國人獲得獎牌時在北京奏國歌符合美國的利益。

四屆奧運會選手安吉拉·魯杰羅（Angela Ruggiero）對這一宣布鬆了一口氣，稱重要的是運動員沒有因政治受到懲罰。

“你知道，你一生都在為競爭而工作，你從不希望政治阻礙這個機會，”魯杰羅說。

人權組織對此舉表示歡迎，但表示華盛頓可以採取更多措施讓中國承擔責任。

華盛頓戰略與國際研究中心的中國問題專家斯科特·肯尼迪表示，北京的報復選擇包括限制雙邊對話、拖延簽證，或在奧運會上限制體育代表團和記者。

美國將在洛杉磯舉辦 2028 年夏季奧運會。

US officials to boycott Beijing Olympics over rights 'atrocities'

Beijing threatened unspecified 'resolute countermeasures' against any such move.

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 6, 2021 20:22

Updated: DECEMBER 7, 2021 07:34

A man is reflected in a mirror as he walks past the logo of the Beijing 2022 Olympics in Beijing, China, November 30, 2021.

(photo credit: REUTERS/THOMAS PETER)

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US government officials will boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing because of China's human rights "atrocities," the White House said on Monday, just weeks after talks aimed at easing tense relations between the two superpowers.

The diplomatic boycott, which leaves athletes free to travel to Beijing to compete, has been encouraged by some members of Congress and rights advocacy groups for months.

Beijing threatened unspecified "resolute countermeasures" against any such move before Monday's announcement, which is certain to further strain relations already at their lowest point in decades.

President Joe Biden's administration highlighted what Washington says is genocide against minority Muslims in China's western region of Xinjiang.

"US diplomatic or official representation would treat these games as business as usual in the face of the PRC's egregious human rights abuses and atrocities in Xinjiang, and we simply can't do that," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told a daily press briefing, referring to the People's Republic of China.

Men work on a traffic sign on a highway leading to venues of the Beijing 2022 Olympics in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, China, November 19, 2021. (credit: REUTERS/THOMAS PETER)

"The athletes on Team USA have our full support," Psaki added. "We will be behind them 100% as we cheer them on from home."

The move comes despite an effort to stabilize ties with a video meeting last month between Biden and China's leader Xi Jinping.

China's embassy in Washington called the boycott "political manipulation" as no invitations had been extended to US politicians.

"In fact, no one would care about whether these people come or not, and it has no impact whatsoever on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics to be successfully held," embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said.

The boycott reflects the Cold War mentality of the United States, the spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations said in a statement.

"The US just wants to politicize sports, create divisions and provoke confrontation," the statement said. This approach will find no support and is doomed to fail."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the United States consulted allies on a "shared approach" to the Beijing Games. It was unclear if they would follow the US lead.

"Canada remains deeply disturbed by the troubling reports of human rights violations in China," Canada's foreign ministry said in a statement. "We were notified of the US decision and we will continue to discuss this matter with our partners and allies."

The Australian and Japanese governments said on Tuesday they were also still considering their positions for the Games, which begin on Feb. 4.

"We will consider matters such as the meaning of the Olympic Games and our diplomatic relations, and would like to make our own decision based on what is best for our national interest," Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters.

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said his country would not be sending government officials but that decision was based largely on COVID-19 concerns and preceded the US boycott.

"We've made clear to China on numerous occasions our concerns about human rights issues - as recently as the Prime Minister talking to President Xi," Robertson told reporters, according to state broadcaster TVNZ. "They're well aware of our view on human rights but we'd already made that decision not to attend."

Stefano Sannino, chief of the European Union's diplomatic service, said on Friday that boycotts were a matter for individual member states, not common EU foreign policy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is the only leader of a major country who has accepted China's invitation.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters the government would not dictate private sector practices, but said firms should be "fully cognizant" of what is transpiring in Xinjiang.

The diplomatic boycott puts corporate Olympic sponsors in "an awkward spot" but was less concerning than a full boycott including athletes, said Neal Pilson, a former president of CBS Sports who has overseen Olympics broadcast rights deals.

A spokesperson from Comcast-owned NBCUniversal said it would broadcast the Games as planned.

POTENTIAL RETALIATION

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has faced criticism for turning a blind eye to China's right record, said the Games should be "beyond politics."

Sarah Hirshland, chief executive of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said Team USA was "excited and ready to make the nation proud."

Many US athletes argued it would have been unfair to ban them from the Games, and some US lawmakers who supported not sending officials had said it was in US interests for its national anthem to be playing in Beijing as Americans received medals.

Four-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero greeted the announcement with relief, saying it was important athletes were not penalized for politics.

"You know, you work all your life to compete and you never want politics to get in the way of that chance," Ruggiero said.

Human rights groups welcomed the move, but said Washington could do more to hold China accountable.

Scott Kennedy, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Beijing's options to retaliate included limiting bilateral dialog, stalling visas, or hamstringing athletic delegations and journalists at the Games.

The United States is due to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles

世界譴責緬甸將被罷免的領導人昂山素季定罪

美國、歐盟、聯合國、英國和日本都譴責緬甸判處被罷免的領導人昂山素季兩年監禁。

通過路透

發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 6 日 08:09

更新時間： 2021 年 12 月 6 日 17:05

緬甸領導人昂山素季

（圖片來源：DONDI TAWATAO/路透社）

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緬甸被罷免的領導人昂山素季週一被判處兩年監禁，罪名是煽動和違反冠狀病毒限制，她的支持者稱其為出於政治動機。

據國家電視台報導，她最初被判處四年有期徒刑，但軍政府領導人在她目前的地點將其減為兩年監禁。

在法庭記錄了對 2 月 1 日軍事政變後被拘留的文職領導人的首次判決後，總統溫敏也被判處四年徒刑，後來也減為兩年。

美國批評緬甸對昂山素季的定罪是對民主和正義的侮辱，並要求立即釋放諾貝爾獎獲得者和其他被拘留的民選官員。

“緬甸軍政府對昂山素季的不公正定罪以及對其他民選官員的鎮壓，進一步侮辱了緬甸的民主和正義，”美國國務卿安東尼·布林肯在一份聲明中說。

抗議者在緬甸曼德勒的示威活動中手持火炬。（信用：路透社）

聯合國人權事務高級專員米歇爾·巴切萊特也譴責了這一判決。

“在軍事控制的法庭進行秘密訴訟的虛假審判後，國務資政被定罪，這只不過是出於政治動機。這不僅是關於任意剝奪她的自由——它還關閉了政治對話的另一扇門。”

“軍方正試圖利用法庭來消除所有政治反對派。但這些案件不能為政變和軍事統治的非法性提供合法的偽裝。”

“對昂山素季的這一判決只會加深對政變的拒絕。當需要對話和和平、政治解決這場危機時，它會加強立場。”

歐盟、英國和日本也發表聲明譴責這一判決，要求釋放昂山素季。

World condemns Myanmar for conviction of ousted leader Suu Kyi

The United States, EU, UN, the UK and Japan all condemned Myanmar for sentencing deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to two years in detention.

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 6, 2021 08:09

Updated: DECEMBER 6, 2021 17:05

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi

(photo credit: DONDI TAWATAO/ REUTERS)

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Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced on Monday to two years in detention on charges of incitement and breaching coronavirus restrictions in a case her supporters called politically motivated.

She was originally sentenced to four years in prison but the military junta leader reduced it to two years' detention in her current location, state TV reported.

President Win Myint was also sentenced to four years, also later reduced to two, after the court recorded its first verdicts against the civilian leaders detained after a military coup on February 1.

The United States criticized Myanmar's conviction of Suu Kyi as an affront to democracy and justice and demanded the immediate release of the Nobel laureate and other elected officials detained.

"The Burmese military regime's unjust conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi and the repression of other democratically elected officials are yet further affronts to democracy and justice in Burma," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

PROTESTERS HOLD torches during a demonstration in Mandalay, Myanmar. (credit: REUTERS)

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet also condemned the sentencing.

"The conviction of the State Counsellor following a sham trial in secretive proceedings before a military-controlled court is nothing but politically-motivated. It is not only about arbitrary denial of her freedom – it closes yet another door to political dialog."

"The military is attempting to instrumentalize the courts to remove all political opposition. But these cases cannot provide a legal veneer to the illegitimacy of the coup and military rule."

"This verdict against Aung San Suu Kyi will only deepen rejection of the coup. It will harden positions when what is needed is dialog and a peaceful, political settlement of this crisis."

The EU, UK and Japan also released statements condemning the verdict, demanding Suu Kyi's release.

七名在加沙行動期間拒絕命令的以色列國防軍預備役軍人出院

以色列國防軍和國防部發言人此前否認了有關預備役軍官在 5 月的行動中拒絕命令的報導。

通過耶路撒冷郵報STAFF

發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 6 日 19:29

LT.-COL。城牆守護者行動期間的多莉薩爾（中）。

（圖片來源：以色列國防軍發言人單位）

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以色列國防軍周一表示，在 5 月的加沙城牆守護者行動期間，它解雇了七名拒絕他們的tzav shmoneh 的以色列預備役軍官，這是戰爭時期的緊急徵兵。

以色列國防軍和國防部發言人此前否認了有關預備役軍官在 5 月的行動中拒絕命令的報導。

這七個人，都是卡車司機，沒有報到他們的預備役服務，並被標記為缺席者。在以色列議會外交和國防委員會就此事進行的討論中，披露了他們退伍的消息。

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First in Israel: Mastectomy performed completely by 'hands' of a robot

委員會討論由 Yesh Atid MK Ram Ben Barak 領導，由反對派 MKs Orit Struck、Moshe Arbel、Keren Barak 和 Meir Porush 發起。

儘管有 7 人缺席，但在加沙行動期間召集的後備軍官中有 98% 報告了預備役職責，以色列國防軍技術和後勤局 Brig.-Gen 負責人。Pini Ben Moyal 在委員會討論中指出。

以色列國防軍技術和物流局局長 Brig.-Gen。Pini Ben Moyal（來源：DANNY SHEMTOV/KNESSET SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE）

以色列國防軍人力部規劃與研究部負責人阿米爾·瓦德馬尼（Amir Vadmani）在討論中表示，以色列國防軍“為每年增加的少數民族徵兵人數感到自豪”時，暗指這七人可能屬於少數民族和宗教少數群體。

然而，Vadmani 補充說，在“城牆守護者行動”期間記錄了 20 多起少數民族拒絕命令或棄權的案例。他補充說，這些案例中的大多數是士兵在最初的基礎訓練期間，這意味著他們尚未與以色列軍隊形成情感聯繫，他解釋說。

瓦德馬尼說：“這些案例中的大多數是周末在家的士兵，由於周圍人的壓力而選擇不回來。”

“我們決定只釋放所有拒絕服務的人中的七人，”他說。“唯一的結論是，我們需要信任我們正在起草的人。”

Seven IDF Reservists who refused orders during Gaza operation discharged

IDF and Defense Ministry's spokespersons previously denied reports that reserve officers refused orders during the operation in May.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Published: DECEMBER 6, 2021 19:29

LT.-COL. DORI Saar (center) during Operation Guardian of the Walls.

(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

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The IDF said on Monday that it discharged seven Israeli reserve officers who refused their tzav shmoneh, the emergency draft in times in war, during May's Operation Guardian of the Walls in Gaza.

IDF and Defense Ministry's spokespersons previously denied reports that reserve officers refused orders during the operation in May.

The seven, all truck drivers, did not report for their reserves service and were marked as absentees. Their discharge from the military was disclosed during a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee discussion on the matter.

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The committee discussion, headed by Yesh Atid MK Ram Ben Barak, was initiated by opposition MKs Orit Struck, Moshe Arbel, Keren Barak and Meir Porush.

Despite the seven absentees, 98% of reserve officers called up during the Gaza operation reported for reserves duty, head of the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate Brig.-Gen. Pini Ben Moyal noted in the committee discussion.

Head of the IDF Technological and Logistics Directorate Brig.-Gen. Pini Ben Moyal (credit: DANNY SHEMTOV/KNESSET SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE)

Amir Vadmani, head of the IDF Manpower Directorate's Planning and Research Department, alluded to the fact the seven might be of ethnic and religious minorities when he stated during the discussion that the IDF is "proud of the yearly increase in the conscription of minorities."

However, Vadmani added, over 20 cases of minorities refusing orders or abstentions were recorded during Operation Guardian of the Walls. He added that most of these cases were of soldiers during their initial basic training, meaning they have yet to form an emotional connection to the Israeli military, he explained.

"Most of these cases were of soldiers who were at home during the weekend and chose not to return due to peer pressure from those surrounding them," Vadmani stated.

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"We decided to release only seven of all those who refused service," he said. "The only conclusion is that we need to trust the people we are drafting."

阿富汗：塔利班禁止強迫婚姻

但沒有關於是否允許女孩、婦女重返學校或工作的消息。

作者：ARSHAD MEHMOOD/媒體熱線

發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 18:54

2021 年 10 月 3 日，阿富汗喀布爾，數名平民在爆炸中喪生後，一名塔利班武裝人員站在急診醫院外

（照片來源：JORGE SILVA / 路透社）

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美國阿富汗問題特別代表托馬斯·韋斯特對塔利班最高領導人要求婦女同意結婚的法令表示歡迎。“與此同時，還需要做更多的工作來確保阿富汗社會各個方面的婦女權利，包括學校、工作場所、政治和媒體，”他在周六的一條推文中說。

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該法令沒有提到女性接受教育或外出工作的機會。

美國及其盟國仍然擔心塔利班自重新掌權以來大幅削弱了婦女的權利。要求人權的街頭抗議遭到暴力鎮壓。大多數七年級以上的女孩和婦女不被允許上學，衛生部門以外的大多數婦女被禁止上班。

星期五，塔利班最高領袖毛拉希巴圖拉·阿洪扎達 (Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada) 發布了一項法令，規定女性不應被視為“財產”，並且必須在婚前同意“[女性和男性]應該平等，”它寫道。

“沒有人可以通過脅迫或壓力強迫女性結婚，”該法令繼續說道。“沒有人可以通過脅迫或壓力強迫女性結婚。”

上週，塔利班代表抵達卡塔爾多哈會見美國和歐洲代表。（信用：路透社）

根據該法令，寡婦有權在 Sharaie Adat 時期（丈夫去世或懷孕後四個月零 10 個晚上）之後選擇自己的未來。寡婦還有“繼承和固定丈夫、孩子、父親和親屬財產份額的權利”。

婦女不是財產，“而是高尚而自由的人；沒有人可以將她交給任何人以換取 [a] 和平協議或結束仇恨，”該法令指出。

根據阿富汗部落傳統，寡婦在丈夫去世時與其兄弟或其他親屬結婚是一種習俗。女孩被強迫結婚，作為對家庭男性犯下的謀殺、通姦、綁架和綁架的補償。

在阿富汗和巴基斯坦的部落文化中，強迫女孩結婚已經持續了幾個世紀。通常，被指控的家庭不是支付“血錢”來解決血仇，而是將他們的女孩嫁給一個受屈的家庭。

阿富汗伊斯蘭酋長國新聞部副部長兼首席發言人 Zabiullah Mujahid 告訴媒體專線，“該法令保護在丈夫去世後沒有獲得權利的寡婦的權利。

“根據伊斯蘭教法[伊斯蘭宗教法]，丈夫死後，寡婦不能被迫結婚，她有權結婚並決定自己的未來，”他說。

“我們從未否認阻止女孩學習和工作，但是，考慮到伊斯蘭教法的參數，正在製定這方面的連貫政策，”穆賈希德繼續說道。

“根據伊斯蘭教法，我們絕對支持婦女的權利，”他說。“所有部長和官員都被指示在全國人民中傳播對婦女權利的認識。

穆賈希德說：“我們向全世界保證，阿富汗婦女的權利將得到保護和尊重。”

塔利班政府駐聯合國候任大使穆罕默德·蘇海爾·沙欣告訴媒體專線，“我們完全致力於根據伊斯蘭教的黃金原則行使婦女的權利，我們充分意識到我們在這方面的責任。”

“最近關於婦女權利的法令是我國政府為恢復飽受長期戰爭蹂躪的國家而採取的一系列舉措的一部分，”他說。

紐約州立大學手指湖社區學院中東和恐怖主義問題專家阿德里安·卡拉梅爾教授說，阿富汗正處於嚴峻的困境中，“塔利班正在發起這種溫和/魅力攻勢，以確保國際援助和在聯合國的位置。

“他們（塔利班）的言行完全不同。西方傾聽但看不到他們的行為與他們的言論相矛盾，”他告訴媒體專線。“西方的頭埋在沙子裡。

卡拉梅爾說，塔利班只兌現了兩項承諾，在這一點上，他們從未動搖過。首先，他們將收回阿富汗。其次，他們不會交出基地組織成員。

“我知道當地有人在阿富汗被獵殺，沒有[西方媒體]報導。幾個月來，我一直試圖讓人們離開；現在這幾乎是不可能的，”他繼續說道。

“西方政府和記者團的行為可恥，他們仍然認為塔利班有溫和的一面，”卡拉梅爾說。

常駐紐約的國家安全分析師兼人權律師伊琳娜·楚克曼 (Irina Tsukerman) 告訴媒體，“在多哈 [卡塔爾，其談判代表所在地] 多年的政治存在之後，塔利班已經了解了很多政治話語和信息傳遞在西方觀眾中取得了成功。

“美國政府、五角大樓和其他西方國家非常清楚塔利班的意識形態傾向和在婦女權利方面的立場，”她說。“最高指南的法令不符合當地的現實，即女性被剝奪了受教育和工作的機會，並且越來越多地被從公共領域抹去。

“在一定程度上允許女性接受某種程度的單獨教育，它主要由宗教灌輸組成，不給她們提供改善生活的機會，”楚克曼強調說。

“然而，塔利班希望繼續從美國及其西方盟友那裡獲得人道主義援助。此外，鑑於美國凍結的資金，他們面臨著治理和合法性的主要障礙，”她補充道。

“最新聲明是遊戲的一部分，旨在為西方政府提供支持，以證明他們的政治選擇是合理的，同時又不會在自己的選區面前丟臉，”楚克曼說。

大西洋理事會南亞中心的非常駐高級研究員、馬蘇德基金會的高級顧問卡邁勒·阿拉姆告訴媒體，“歐洲國家和美國儘管普遍憎惡塔利班及其所代表的立場，已經意識到只有一種選擇可以幫助阿富汗人民，那就是與塔利班做生意。

“甚至早在 9 月，美國官員就表示，塔利班在 [美軍] 撤離和人道主義援助方面非常專業和商業化，”他說。

“最近，世界糧食計劃署負責人戴維·比斯利 (David Beasley) 進行了一次非常富有成效的 [阿富汗] 之行，這開啟了與塔利班在協調援助努力方面的更多合作，甚至是到了以前禁止前往的地區，”他說。繼續。

“雖然比斯利展示瞭如何在不完全放棄所有影響力的情況下與塔利班接觸的方式，但這似乎是目前未能在西方國家獲得全面認可的最佳選擇，”阿拉姆說。

居住在巴基斯坦白沙瓦的阿富汗僑民和婦女權利倡導者 Hina Gul 告訴媒體專線，“遺憾的是，我們生活在一個社會和道德價值觀被迴避的社會。”

“在男性主導、保守和強硬的社會，女性在阿富汗的生活真的很丟臉。在違反法律令狀很容易但逃避傳統規範和價值觀是一項艱鉅的工作時，考慮基本的婦女權利變得必要，”她說。

“目前，塔利班已經建立了與婦女權利和教育相關的新敘事，並經常使用‘伊斯蘭’框架來避免以有形的方式製定他們的政策。現在他們掌權了，他們的主張將受到考驗，”她補充道。

對於新法令，古爾表示，“從表面上看，塔利班的這個決定是一個很好的步驟，但塔利班並沒有明確的政策將如何執行。”

Afghanistan: Taliban bans forced marriage

But there is no word on whether girls, women will be allowed to return to school or work.

By ARSHAD MEHMOOD/THE MEDIA LINE

Published: DECEMBER 7, 2021 18:54

An armed member of Taliban forces stands outside an emergency hospital, after several civilians were killed in an explosion, in Kabul, Afghanistan, October 3, 2021

(photo credit: JORGE SILVA / REUTERS)

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Thomas West, the US special representative for Afghanistan, welcomed the Taliban‘s supreme leader’s decree requiring a woman’s consent to marriage. “At the same time, much more is needed to ensure women’s rights in every aspect of Afghan society, including schools, workplaces, politics and media,” he said in a tweet on Saturday.

For more stories from The Media Line go to themedialine.org

The decree does not mention female access to education or to work outside the home.

The US and its allies remain concerned that the Taliban have significantly reduced women’s rights since regaining power. Street protests demanding human rights have been violently suppressed. Most girls and women from grade seven on up have not been allowed to attend school, and most women outside the health sector have been barred from going to work.

On Friday, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, issued a decree stating that women should not be considered “property” and must consent before marriage “Both [women and men] should be equal,” it reads.

“No one can force women to marry by coercion or pressure,” the decree continues. “No one can force women to marry by coercion or pressure.”

Taliban delegates arrive to meet with US and European delegates in Doha, Qatar, last week. (credit: REUTERS)

Widows have the right to choose their future after the Sharaie Adat period (four months and 10 nights after their husband’s death or pregnancy), according to the decree. A widow also has the “right to heritage and fixed share in the property of her husband, children, father, and relatives.”

Women are not property “but a noble and free human being; no one can give her to anyone in exchange for [a] peace deal and or to end animosity,” the decree states.

Under Afghan tribal traditions, it is customary for a widow to marry one of her husband’s brothers or other relatives in the event of his death. Girls are given forcibly in marriage as compensation for murder, adultery, abduction and kidnapping committed by the men of the family.

In the tribal culture of Afghanistan and Pakistan, forced marriage of girls has been going on for centuries. Often, instead of paying “blood money” to settle a blood feud, an accused family gives their girl in marriage to an aggrieved family.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the deputy minister of information and the chief spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, told The Media Line, “The decree protects the rights of widows who did not receive their rights after the death of their husbands.

“As per Shariah [Islamic religious law], after the death of the husband, the widow cannot be forced into marriage and she has the right to marry and decide her own future,” he said.

“We have never denied stopping girls from studying and working, but, keeping Shariah’s parameters in view, work is underway to formulate a coherent policy in this regard,” Mujahid continued.

“In the light of Shariah, we are absolutely in favor of women’s rights,” he said. “All the ministers and officials have been directed to spread awareness about women’s rights among the people across the country.

“We assure the world that women’s rights will be protected and honored by all means in Afghanistan,” Mujahid said.

Muhammad Suhail Shaheen, the Taliban government’s ambassador-designate to the UN, told The Media Line, “We are entirely committed to exercising women’s rights under the golden principles of Islam and we are fully aware of our responsibilities in this regard.”

“The recent decree on women’s rights is part of a series of initiatives taken by our government to rehabilitate a country ravaged by a long war,” he said.

Prof. Adrian Calamel, an expert on the Middle East and terrorism at the State University of New York’s Finger Lakes Community College, said Afghanistan is in dire straits and that “the Taliban are putting forth this moderation/charm offensive to secure international aid and a place at the United Nations.

“What they [the Taliban] say and do are completely different. The West listens but cannot see that their actions are contradictory to their words,” he told The Media Line. “The West has its head in the sand.

The Taliban have only kept two promises, and in this, they have never wavered, Calamel said. First, that they would take back Afghanistan. And second, that they would not hand over al-Qaida members.

“I know people on the ground being hunted in Afghanistan and there is no [Western media] coverage. For months I have been trying to get people out; it’s next to impossible now,” he continued.

“The Western governments and press corps have acted shamefully and they still think there is a moderate side to the Taliban,” Calamel said.

Irina Tsukerman, a New York-based national security analyst and human rights lawyer, told The Media Line, “After years of political presence in Doha, [Qatar, where its negotiators were based], the Taliban have learned a great deal about what type of political discourse and messaging succeeds with the Western audiences.

“The US government, the Pentagon and other Western countries are quite aware of the Taliban’s ideological proclivities and position on women’s rights,” she said. “The supreme guide’s decree does not align with the reality on the ground, which is that women are being denied the opportunity for education and jobs, and are being increasingly erased from the public sphere.

“To the extent women are allowed some level of separate education, it consists mostly of religious indoctrination and offers them no opportunity to improve their lives,” Tsukerman emphasized.

“However, the Taliban want to continue receiving humanitarian aid from the US and its Western allies. Furthermore, they face a major stumbling block to governance and legitimacy in light of the funds frozen by the US,” she added.

“The latest statement is part of a game designed to provide support to Western governments to justify their political choices without losing face in front of their own constituencies,” Tsukerman said.

Kamal Alam, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and a senior adviser to the Massoud Foundation, told The Media Line, “The European countries and the United States, despite their general abhorrence of the Taliban and what they stand for, have come to the realization that there is only one option to help the Afghan people, and that is to do business with the Taliban.

“Even as early as September, US officials have said that the Taliban are very professional and business-like with regard to the evacuation [of US troops] and humanitarian aid,” he said.

“Recently the head of the World Food Program, David Beasley, made a very productive trip [to Afghanistan], which unlocked even more cooperation with the Taliban on a coordinated aid effort, even to areas that were previously no-go areas,” he continued.

“While Beasley shows the way on how to engage with the Taliban without fully giving up all the leverage, this seems the best bet for now falling short of overall recognition in Western capitals,” Alam said.

Hina Gul, an Afghan expatriate and women’s rights advocate based in Peshawar, Pakistan, told The Media Line, “Regrettably, we are living in a society where social and ethical values are sidestepped.”

“In a male-dominated, conservative and hard-line society, a female’s life in Afghanistan is really disgraceful. Thinking about basic women’s rights becomes necessary where breaking the writ of law is easy but evading traditional norms and values is a difficult job,” she said.

“Currently, the Taliban have established a new narrative related to women’s rights and education, and frequently applied ‘Islamic’ frames to avoid setting out their policies in tangible terms. Now that they are in power, their claims will be put to the test,” she added.

As for the new decree, Gul said, “Seemingly this decision of the Taliban is a good step, but there is no clear policy of the Taliban on how it will be implemented.”

伊朗與世界大國的核談判將於週四恢復 - 報導

伊朗通訊社報導稱，在上週陷入僵局後，關於挽救 2015 年協議的談判將於週四恢復。

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發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 17:12

2021 年 5 月 24 日，在冠狀病毒病 (COVID-19) 大流行期間，伊朗國旗飄揚在國際原子能機構總部所在的聯合國辦公大樓前。

（照片來源：LISI NIESNER/路透社）

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據伊朗新聞機構週二報導，美伊關於挽救 2015 年伊核協議的間接談判將於週四在維也納恢復。

“我們將在周四繼續談判……並等待西方採取實際步驟，”伊朗最高談判代表阿里巴格里卡尼在半官方通訊社ISNA訪問莫斯科期間告訴伊朗媒體。

塔斯尼姆通訊社早些時候表示，巴蓋里卡尼在與歐盟協調員恩里克莫拉聯繫後最終確定了恢復談判的日期。

談判於週五中斷，因為歐洲官員對伊朗新的強硬政府的全面要求表示失望。閱讀更多

在維也納舉行的第七輪會談是伊朗反西方總統易卜拉欣·賴西 (Ebrahim Raisi) 派代表就如何恢復伊朗限制其核計劃以換取解除經濟制裁的協議的第一輪會談。

伊朗首席核談判代表 Ali Bagheri Kani 和伊朗代表團成員等待 2021 年 11 月 29 日在奧地利維也納舉行的 JCPOA 聯合委員會會議的開始。（來源：歐盟駐維也納代表團/通過路透社的講義）

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Middle East

Iran News

Iran nuclear talks with world powers to resume on Thursday - reports

Iranian news agencies have reported that the talks on saving the 2015 deal will resume on Thursday after hitting an impasse last week.

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 7, 2021 17:12

Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021.

(photo credit: LISI NIESNER/ REUTERS)

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Indirect US-Iranian talks on saving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal will resume on Thursday in Vienna, Iranian news agencies reported on Tuesday.

"We will continue the talks on Thursday … and await practical steps by the West," Iran's top negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani was quoted as telling Iranian media during a visit to Moscow by the semi-official news agency ISNA.

Tasnim news agency earlier said Bagheri Kani finalized the date of the resumption of the talks after contacting European Union coordinator Enrique Mora.

The talks broke off on Friday as European officials voiced dismay at sweeping demands by Iran's new, hardline government. read more

The seventh round of talks in Vienna is the first with delegates sent by Iran's anti-Western President Ebrahim Raisi on how to resuscitate the agreement under which Iran limited its nuclear program in return for relief from economic sanctions.

Iran's chief nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani and members of the Iranian delegation wait for the start of a meeting of the JCPOA Joint Commission in Vienna, Austria November 29, 2021. (credit: EU DELEGATION IN VIENNA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

印尼火山再次噴發 死亡人數升至22人

爪哇島上最高的山塞梅魯山在周六劇烈噴發後於週一再次噴發。

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發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 6 日 15:46

鳥瞰圖顯示了從印度尼西亞東爪哇省盧馬江的 Pronojiwo 村看到的塞梅魯火山，2021 年 12 月 6 日

（圖片來源：ANTARA FOTO/SENO/VIA REUTERS）

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印度尼西亞火山週一再次活躍，噴出熾熱的火山灰雲，兩天后強烈噴發造成至少 22 人死亡，數十人失踪。

爪哇島上最高的山塞梅魯山在周六劇烈噴發，向天空噴射出高聳的火山灰柱，覆蓋了周圍的村莊。

航拍畫面顯示，屋頂從灰濛蒙的景觀中伸出，而在地面上，軍官、警察和居民用手在泥土中挖出受害者。

印度尼西亞減災機構表示，截至週一，死亡人數已上升至 22 人，而 27 人失踪。

2021 年 12 月 6 日，印度尼西亞東爪哇省 Lumajang 的 Pronojiwo 村出現了受塞梅魯火山噴發影響的受損房屋（圖片來源：ANTARA FOTO/SENO/VIA REUTERS）

印度尼西亞火山學和減輕地質災害中心通過其推特賬戶證實，這座火山週一再次噴發，警告稱地震活動仍在繼續。

“塞梅魯火山是印度尼西亞最活躍的火山之一。在 12 月 4 日噴發前後，它將繼續活躍，”塞梅魯火山觀測站負責人利斯萬托告訴路透社。

一些居民返回家中檢查財物和牲畜，但利斯萬托敦促人們保持安全距離。

“人們需要更加警惕，因為潛在威脅仍然存在，”他補充道。

在 Sumberwuluh 地區，救援隊與惡劣的天氣作鬥爭，從瓦礫中救出遇難者。

“主要障礙是天氣……希望未來的天氣足夠好，讓我們更容易搜索，”國家搜救機構 (Basarnas) 的運營主管 Wuryanto 告訴記者。

人們在 Facebook 上發布了失踪親人的照片，並要求提供有關他們下落的任何信息。

週六噴發的熔岩使後勤和救援工作複雜化，摧毀了連接 Lumajang 區與瑪瑯市兩個地區的一座橋樑。

已經為 1,700 多名流離失所者建立了公共廚房和衛生設施。

Semeru 是印度尼西亞 100 多座活火山之一，該國橫跨太平洋火環帶，這是一個位於多個構造板塊之上的地震活動強烈的地區。

Indonesian volcano erupts again, death toll rises to 22

Mt. Semeru, the tallest mountain on the island of Java, erupted again on Monday after erupting dramatically on Saturday.

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 6, 2021 15:46

An aerial view shows Mount Semeru volcano as seen from Pronojiwo village, Lumajang, East Java province, Indonesia December 6, 2021

(photo credit: ANTARA FOTO/SENO/VIA REUTERS)

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An Indonesian volcano was active again on Monday, spewing out hot clouds of ash, two days after a powerful eruption killed at least 22 people and left dozens missing.

Mt. Semeru, the tallest mountain on the island of Java, erupted dramatically on Saturday, shooting a towering column of ash into the sky that blanketed surrounding villages.

Aerial footage showed roofs jutting out of an ashen landscape, while on the ground, military officers, police and residents dug through the mud with their hands to pull out victims.

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The death toll had risen to 22 by Monday, while 27 were missing, Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said.

Damaged houses affected by the eruption of Mount Semeru volcano are seen in Pronojiwo village, Lumajang, East Java province, Indonesia December 6, 2021 (credit: ANTARA FOTO/SENO/VIA REUTERS)

The volcano erupted again on Monday, Indonesia's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation confirmed via its Twitter account, warning of continued seismic activity.

"Semeru is one of the most active volcanoes in Indonesia. Before and after the December 4 eruption, it will continue to be active," Liswanto, the head of the Semeru Volcano Observatory, told Reuters.

Some residents returned to their homes to check on belongings and livestock, but Liswanto urged people to keep a safe distance.

"People need to be more vigilant because the potential threat is still there," he added.

In the Sumberwuluh area, rescue teams battled poor weather to retrieve victims from the rubble.

"The main obstacle is the weather… hopefully the weather going forward will be good enough to make it easier for us to search," Wuryanto, operations director of the national search and rescue agency (Basarnas), told reporters.

People have posted photos of missing loved ones on Facebook, with pleas for any information about their whereabouts.

Complicating logistics and rescue efforts, lava flows from Saturday's eruption destroyed a bridge connecting two areas in the district of Lumajang with the city of Malang.

Public kitchens and health facilities have been set up for more than 1,700 people who have been displaced.

Semeru is one of more than 100 active volcanoes in Indonesia, a country that straddles the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area of high seismic activity that rests atop multiple tectonic plates.

羅興亞難民因緬甸暴力事件起訴 Facebook，要求賠償 1500 億美元

美國的一項集體訴訟稱，該公司未能對內容及其平台設計進行監管，導致對羅興亞社區的暴力行為。

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發佈時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 14:52

更新時間： 2021 年 12 月 7 日 16:00

2020 年 12 月 29 日，羅興亞難民在前往孟加拉國 Noakhali 區的 Bhasan Char 島途中坐在一艘海軍艦艇的木凳上。

（圖片來源：路透社/MOHAMMAD PONIR HOSSAIN/文件照片）

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來自緬甸的羅興亞難民正以 1500 億美元起訴

Meta Platforms Inc（前身為 Facebook），指控這家社交媒體公司沒有對導致暴力的反羅興亞仇恨言論採取行動。

週一由律師事務所 Edelson PC 和 Fields PLLC 在加利福尼亞州提起的美國集體訴訟稱，該公司未能對內容及其平台設計進行監管，導致羅興亞社區面臨現實世界的暴力。

在一項協調行動中，英國律師還向 Facebook 倫敦辦事處提交了一封通知信。

Facebook 沒有立即回應路透社關於訴訟的評論請求。該公司表示，在緬甸“防止錯誤信息和仇恨的速度太慢”，並表示此後已採取措施打擊該地區的平台濫用行為，包括在 2 月 1 日政變後禁止軍方使用 Facebook 和 Instagram。

Facebook 曾表示，它受到美國互聯網法第 230 條的保護，免於對用戶發布的內容承擔責任，該法規定在線平台不對第三方發布的內容負責。投訴稱，如果提出第 230 條作為辯護，它將尋求將緬甸法律應用於這些索賠。

羅興亞難民在考克斯巴扎爾附近的 Shah Porir Dwip 越過孟緬邊境後接受孟加拉國邊防衛隊的審訊，他們坐在臨時船上（圖片來源：REUTERS）

儘管美國法院可以將外國法律適用於公司所稱的傷害和活動發生在其他國家的案件，但路透社採訪的兩位法律專家表示，他們不知道在針對社交媒體公司的訴訟中援引外國法律的成功先例。第 230 條的保護措施可能適用。

喬治城大學法律中心教授 Anupam Chander 表示，援引緬甸法律並非“不合適”。但他預測“這不太可能成功”，並表示“國會根據美國法律取消止贖行動但允許它們根據外國法律進行是很奇怪的。”

2017 年 8 月，超過 730,000 名羅興亞穆斯林在軍事鎮壓後逃離緬甸的若開邦，難民稱這些鎮壓包括大規模殺戮和強姦。人權組織記錄了殺害平民和燒毀村莊的行為。

緬甸當局表示，他們正在與叛亂作鬥爭，並否認實施了系統性暴行。

緬甸軍政府發言人沒有接聽路透社的電話，要求就針對 Facebook 的法律行動發表評論。

2018 年，聯合國人權調查人員表示，Facebook 的使用在傳播助長暴力的仇恨言論方面發揮了關鍵作用。美國投訴中引用的路透社當年的一項調查發現，Facebook 上有 1,000 多個帖子、評論和圖片攻擊羅興亞人和其他穆斯林的例子。幾乎所有人都使用當地的主要語言緬甸語。

謾罵包括稱羅興亞人或其他穆斯林為狗、蛆和強姦犯的帖子，建議將它們餵給豬，並敦促將它們射殺或消滅。

儘管 Facebook 規定明確禁止以“暴力或非人性言論”攻擊少數民族或將他們與動物進行比較，但這些帖子還是被容忍了。

Facebook 曾表示，它受到美國互聯網法第 230 條的保護，免於對用戶發布的內容承擔責任，該法規定在線平台不對第三方發布的內容負責。投訴稱，如果提出第 230 條作為辯護，它將尋求將緬甸法律應用於這些索賠。

儘管美國法院可以將外國法律適用於公司所稱的傷害和活動發生在其他國家的案件，但路透社採訪的兩位法律專家表示，他們不知道在針對社交媒體公司的訴訟中援引外國法律的成功先例。第 230 條的保護措施可能適用。

喬治城大學法律中心教授 Anupam Chander 表示，援引緬甸法律並非“不合適”。但他預測“這不太可能成功”，並表示“國會根據美國法律取消止贖行動但允許它們根據外國法律進行是很奇怪的。”

2017 年 8 月，超過 730,000 名羅興亞穆斯林在軍事鎮壓後逃離緬甸的若開邦，難民稱這些鎮壓包括大規模殺戮和強姦。人權組織記錄了殺害平民和燒毀村莊的行為。

緬甸當局表示，他們正在與叛亂作鬥爭，並否認實施了系統性暴行。

國際刑事法院已對該地區的犯罪指控立案。9 月，一名美國聯邦法官命令 Facebook 發布社交媒體巨頭關閉的與緬甸反羅興亞暴力事件相關的賬戶記錄。

新的集體訴訟引用了 Facebook 舉報人弗朗西斯·豪根 (Frances Haugen) 的說法，他今年洩露了一份內部文件緩存，稱該公司不會在此類言論可能造成最大傷害的國家/地區監管濫用內容。

該投訴還引用了最近的媒體報導，包括路透社上個月的一篇報導，稱緬甸軍方正在使用虛假的社交媒體賬戶進行軍方廣泛稱為“信息戰”的活動。

居住在孟加拉國難民營的難民穆罕默德塔赫爾說，Facebook 已被廣泛用於傳播反羅興亞人的宣傳。

居住在超過 100 萬羅興亞人的龐大孟加拉國難民營中的難民穆罕默德·塔赫爾說，Facebook 已被廣泛用於傳播反羅興亞人的宣傳。“我們歡迎此舉，”他在電話中說。

Rohingya refugees sue Facebook for $150 billion over Myanmar violence

A US class-action complaint argues that the company's failures to police content and its platform's design contributed to violence against the Rohingya community.

By REUTERS

Published: DECEMBER 7, 2021 14:52

Updated: DECEMBER 7, 2021 16:00

Rohingya refugees sit on wooden benches of a navy vessel on their way to the Bhasan Char island in Noakhali district, Bangladesh, December 29, 2020.

(photo credit: REUTERS/MOHAMMAD PONIR HOSSAIN/FILE PHOTO)

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Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are suing

Meta Platforms Inc, formerly known as Facebook, for $150 billion over allegations that the social media company did not take action against anti-Rohingya hate speech that contributed to violence.

A US class-action complaint, filed in California on Monday by law firms Edelson PC and Fields PLLC, argues that the company's failures to police content and its platform's design contributed to real-world violence faced by the Rohingya community.

In a coordinated action, British lawyers also submitted a letter of notice to Facebook's London office.

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Facebook did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment about the lawsuit. The company has said it was "too slow to prevent misinformation and hate" in Myanmar and has said it has since taken steps to crack down on platform abuses in the region, including banning the military from Facebook and Instagram after the Feb. 1 coup.

Facebook has said it is protected from liability over content posted by users by a US internet law known as Section 230, which holds that online platforms are not liable for content posted by third parties. The complaint says it seeks to apply Myanmar law to the claims if Section 230 is raised as a defense.

Rohingya refugees sit on a makeshift boat as they get interrogated by the Border Guard Bangladesh after crossing the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, at Shah Porir Dwip near Cox's Bazar (credit: REUTERS)

Although US courts can apply foreign law to cases where the alleged harms and activity by companies took place in other countries, two legal experts interviewed by Reuters said they did not know of a successful precedent for foreign law being invoked in lawsuits against social media companies where Section 230 protections could apply.

Anupam Chander, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, said that invoking Myanmar law wasn't "inappropriate." But he predicted that "it's unlikely to be successful," saying that "it would be odd for Congress to have foreclosed actions under US law but permitted them to proceed under foreign law."

More than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017 after a military crackdown that refugees said included mass killings and rape. Rights groups documented killings of civilians and burning of villages.

Myanmar authorities say they were battling an insurgency and deny carrying out systematic atrocities.

A Myanmar junta spokesman did not answer phone calls from Reuters seeking comment on the legal action against Facebook.

In 2018, UN human rights investigators said the use of Facebook had played a key role in spreading hate speech that fueled the violence. A Reuters investigation that year, cited in the US complaint, found more than 1,000 examples of posts, comments and images attacking the Rohingya and other Muslims on Facebook. Almost all were in the main local language, Burmese.

The invective included posts calling the Rohingya or other Muslims dogs, maggots and rapists, suggested they be fed to pigs, and urged they be shot or exterminated.

The posts were tolerated in spite of Facebook rules that specifically prohibit attacking ethnic groups with "violent or dehumanizing speech" or comparing them to animals.

Facebook has said it is protected from liability over content posted by users by a U.S. internet law known as Section 230, which holds that online platforms are not liable for content posted by third parties. The complaint says it seeks to apply Myanmar law to the claims if Section 230 is raised as a defense.

Although U.S. courts can apply foreign law to cases where the alleged harms and activity by companies took place in other countries, two legal experts interviewed by Reuters said they did not know of a successful precedent for foreign law being invoked in lawsuits against social media companies where Section 230 protections could apply.

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Anupam Chander, a professor at Georgetown University Law Center, said that invoking Myanmar law wasn't "inappropriate." But he predicted that "it's unlikely to be successful," saying that "it would be odd for Congress to have foreclosed actions under U.S. law but permitted them to proceed under foreign law."

More than 730,000 Rohingya Muslims fled Myanmar's Rakhine state in August 2017 after a military crackdown that refugees said included mass killings and rape. Rights groups documented killings of civilians and burning of villages.

Myanmar authorities say they were battling an insurgency and deny carrying out systematic atrocities.

The International Criminal Court has opened a case into the accusations of crimes in the region. In September, a US federal judge ordered Facebook to release records of accounts connected to anti-Rohingya violence in Myanmar that the social media giant had shut down.

The new class-action lawsuit references claims by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who leaked a cache of internal documents this year, that the company does not police abusive content in countries where such speech is likely to cause the most harm.

The complaint also cites recent media reports, including a Reuters report last month, that Myanmar's military was using fake social media accounts to engage in what is widely referred to in the military as "information combat."

Mohammed Taher, a refugee living in the camps in Bangladesh that are home to more than a million Rohingya, said Facebook had been widely used to spread anti-Rohingya propaganda.

Mohammed Taher, a refugee living in the sprawling Bangladesh camps that are home to more than a million Rohingya, said Facebook had been widely used to spread anti-Rohingya propaganda. "We welcome the move," he said by phone.