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Italy Calls on Citizens to Leave Iran Amid Rising Security Risks

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Italy has renewed a strong appeal urging its citizens to leave Iran due to growing security concerns, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. Around 600 Italians are currently in Iran, most of them based in Tehran, according to the ministry, which said the warning reflects the deteriorating situation in the country.

The appeal comes as Iran’s leadership struggles to contain its most serious domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, amid rising international tensions. Tehran has sought to deter repeated threats of U.S. intervention voiced by President Donald Trump in support of anti-government protesters, adding to regional instability.

Italy’s foreign ministry also said precautionary measures were being taken to protect more than 900 Italian military personnel deployed across the region, including about 500 in Iraq and 400 in Kuwait. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani chaired a high-level meeting with diplomats, defence officials and intelligence representatives, reaffirming Italy’s condemnation of the violent repression of protests in Iran and what it described as serious human rights violations.

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Pope Leo Warns of Rising ‘Zeal for War’ in Blunt Vatican Address

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Pope Leo on Friday delivered a sharply worded annual foreign policy speech at the Vatican, condemning the growing use of military force to achieve diplomatic goals and warning that global conflicts are becoming increasingly normalized. Addressing ambassadors from 184 countries, the first U.S.-born pope said international institutions were failing to restrain wars, as diplomacy based on dialogue was being replaced by diplomacy rooted in force.

Referring to recent events in Venezuela, including the capture of President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, Leo urged governments to “respect the will” of the Venezuelan people and safeguard their human and civil rights. He stressed that protecting democratic choice and basic freedoms must remain central to international engagement, particularly in politically fragile nations.

In a notably fiery tone, Leo also criticized abortion, euthanasia and surrogate births, while warning that freedom of expression was shrinking in Western societies. He cautioned against what he called an emerging “Orwellian-style language” that excludes dissenting views under the guise of inclusivity, and highlighted what he described as subtle religious discrimination against Christians in Europe and the Americas.

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Faroe Islands Ends Decades-Old Abortion Ban with Historic Vote

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The Faroe Islands has voted to legalise abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy, ending one of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws. The new legislation, passed in a tight 17–16 vote after intense debate, replaces rules dating back to 1956 that allowed abortions only in exceptional circumstances such as rape, incest, serious fetal abnormalities or risks to the woman’s health.

Supporters of the reform, including MP Ingilín Didriksen Strømm, described the decision as historic, saying it finally ensures women’s autonomy and access to safe healthcare. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International also welcomed the change, noting that many Faroese women previously had to travel to Denmark—where abortion is legal up to 18 weeks—for the procedure due to strict local laws and social stigma.

While pro-choice advocates celebrated what they call a major step forward, conservative opponents argued that fetal rights must be protected and suggested efforts may be made to reverse the law in the future. The reform marks a significant cultural shift for the small, traditionally conservative archipelago of 56,000 people, where past attempts to liberalise abortion policy have repeatedly failed.

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WW1-Era Chemical Likely Used on Georgian Protesters, BBC Investigation Reveals

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A BBC investigation suggests that Georgian authorities used a World War One–era chemical agent, known as camite, in water cannons during anti-government protests in late 2024. Demonstrators in Tbilisi reported severe burning sensations, difficulty breathing, coughing and vomiting—symptoms that persisted for weeks. Doctors, chemical weapons specialists, and whistleblowers from Georgia’s riot police provided evidence pointing toward the use of this long-discontinued compound, once deployed by France in WW1 and eventually abandoned due to its prolonged harmful effects.

Paediatrician and protester Dr Konstantine Chakhunashvili conducted a survey of nearly 350 affected demonstrators, finding that almost half experienced symptoms lasting more than 30 days. His study, soon to be published in Toxicology Reports, also noted abnormal heart electrical activity among many participants. These findings supported theories from journalists, civil rights groups and medical experts that the water cannon contained more than just irritants like pepper spray or CS gas.

Whistleblowers from Georgia’s Special Tasks Department revealed that the chemical used closely resembles one tested in 2009, which they described as extremely difficult to wash off and far more harmful than standard tear gas. Despite recommendations against its use, they say it continued to be loaded into water cannon vehicles for years. The Georgian government dismissed the BBC’s findings as “absurd,” insisting police acted lawfully against what they called “violent criminals.”

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Dignitas Founder Ludwig Minelli Dies at 92 by Assisted Suicide

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Ludwig Minelli, the founder of the Swiss right-to-die organisation Dignitas, has died by assisted suicide at the age of 92, just days before his 93rd birthday. Dignitas paid tribute to Minelli, describing his life as one dedicated to freedom of choice, self-determination, and human rights. Since he founded the organisation in 1998, Dignitas has assisted thousands of people seeking an end to their suffering, becoming one of the most recognised names in global debates on assisted dying.

Minelli initially worked as a journalist before turning to law and human rights advocacy, becoming a leading voice in the international right-to-die movement. He campaigned passionately for what he called society’s “last human right”—the ability to decide one’s own end in a safe and painless way. His efforts helped shape legal and ethical discussions worldwide, including a notable 2011 European Court of Human Rights ruling affirming the right of competent individuals to determine the manner and timing of their death.

Despite his influence, Minelli also faced criticism and legal challenges within Switzerland, particularly over Dignitas’ openness to helping non-terminally ill individuals and foreigners seeking assisted suicide. While euthanasia remains illegal in Switzerland, assisted dying has been permitted since 1942 under strict conditions. Dignitas emphasised that it will continue Minelli’s mission, operating as an international organisation committed to self-determination and freedom of choice at the end of life.

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Spain Continues Franco-Era Exhumations as Families Seek Closure

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Spain has exhumed remains from a mass grave in Vegas de Matute as part of the country’s ongoing effort to recover victims executed during the Franco dictatorship. Forensic teams uncovered the body of a man believed to be either Luis Garcia Hernandez, a teacher and union member, or Julio Maroto Ortega, a road worker, both executed in 1936 by fascist forces during the Spanish Civil War. The discovery was observed by relatives and activists from the Association for the Recovery of Historical Memory, who have been pushing for justice and recognition since 2000.

The exhumation is one of many initiatives supported by Spain’s Socialist-led government since 2018, aimed at confronting the legacy of dictator Francisco Franco and offering dignity to thousands buried in unmarked graves. Local resident Jose Luis Cubo, 83, recounted how his grandfather had witnessed the execution and helped bury the bodies at night, calling the farmland area a long-feared “death zone.” Even decades later, he said, crops grew differently above what locals believed to be the burial site.

Spain remains deeply divided over Franco’s legacy, 50 years after his death ended four decades of dictatorship and paved the way for democracy and entry into the EU and NATO. Authorities estimate that around 114,000 people disappeared during the conflict and subsequent regime, though only 20,000 are likely recoverable today. With 9,000 bodies already found and 700 identified, the government expects the remaining graves to be uncovered within four years. Officials say each recovery helps restore historical truth, even if the remains cannot be individually named.

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Italy Launches Probe into Alleged ‘Sniper Safaris’ Targeting Civilians in Bosnian War

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Italian prosecutors in Milan have launched an investigation into shocking allegations that wealthy tourists from Italy and other countries paid to shoot at civilians during the Bosnian war in the early 1990s. The so-called “sniper safaris” allegedly took place in the besieged city of Sarajevo, where participants reportedly paid varying amounts to target men, women, and even children from Serb-controlled positions overlooking the city.

The complaint was filed by Italian journalist and novelist Ezio Gavazzeni, who uncovered testimonies from Bosnian intelligence officers claiming that these “human hunts” were discovered in late 1993 and stopped months later after Italy’s military intelligence service, Sismi, was informed. Gavazzeni’s findings, supported by accounts from Sarajevo’s former mayor and evidence seen in the 2022 documentary Sarajevo Safari, suggest that individuals from several countries — including Italy, the US, and Russia — were involved.

Authorities in Milan, led by counter-terrorism prosecutor Alessandro Gobbis, are now examining the evidence under charges of murder. The investigation seeks to confirm whether Italian nationals participated in these paid killing sprees that took place during the brutal four-year siege of Sarajevo, which claimed over 11,000 civilian lives. Gavazzeni condemned the alleged acts as the “indifference of evil,” underscoring the moral depravity of those who treated a war zone as a hunting ground.

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Freed Russian Dissidents Decline to Sign Mercy Plea to Putin

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Two Russian dissidents, Vladimir Kara-Murza and Ilya Yashin, recently released in a prisoner swap, stated they refused to sign a petition for mercy directed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as requested by prison officials. At a news conference in Germany, both men emphasized their innocence and made it clear they did not consent to their removal from Russia, vowing to return one day.

Kara-Murza noted that the exchange saved “16 human lives” and expressed his belief that he might die in prison. He also mentioned that many Russians oppose Putin’s war in Ukraine. The swap involved 24 individuals held in various countries, including US journalist Evan Gerschkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan. Among the Russians released by the West was convicted assassin Vadim Krasikov, who was serving a life sentence in Germany for murdering a Chechen dissident.

Kara-Murza and Yashin, along with another dissident, Andrei Pivovarov, pledged to continue their work for a “free” Russia and for those still imprisoned. Yashin expressed mixed feelings about the swap, acknowledging gratitude for his freedom but stating his desire to return to Russia. He noted that an exiled opposition is easier for Putin to manage, as their voices carry more weight when they are imprisoned.

Yashin also pointed out the ethical dilemma faced by the German government in releasing Krasikov, while acknowledging that his return to Russia might complicate the negotiation of future exchanges for political prisoners. Russian rights group Memorial reports that hundreds of political prisoners are currently detained. Kara-Murza referred to the exchange as a “drop in the ocean,” given the number of innocent people suffering in harsh conditions.

Kara-Murza, a dual Russian-British citizen, shared his experience of being in solitary confinement for over ten months, fearing he would never see his family again. He recounted how surreal it felt to finally be released and expressed determination to return to Russia one day. Another dissident, Sasha Skochilenko, also expressed relief and joy at her release, eager to reunite with her loved ones.

The group paid tribute to Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Putin who died in prison, asserting that his death is a crime for which Putin is directly responsible. Kara-Murza emphasized the distinction between Russia and Putin’s regime, stating his commitment to advocating for a better future for his country, one that is modern and democratic.

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Russian-US journalist jailed for ‘false information’

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Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison by a court in Kazan, central Russia, for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian military. Kurmasheva, an editor at US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was initially arrested last October for not registering as a foreign agent. Her sentencing coincided with the imprisonment of another US journalist, Evan Gershkovich, who was given a 16-year sentence for espionage.

Kurmasheva, who denies the charges, has been described by RFE/RL president Stephen Capus as being unjustly convicted, calling the trial a “mockery of justice.” Capus has called for her immediate release, emphasizing the need for her to return to her family. Her husband, Pavel Butorin, expressed his and their daughters’ belief in her innocence, urging for her return home.

Kurmasheva, a dual citizen of the US and Russia, works for RFE/RL’s Tatar-Bashkir service, focusing on issues affecting ethnic minorities in central Russia. She had traveled to Kazan for a family emergency in May 2023 and was detained there. Her Russian and American passports were seized, and she faced legal troubles for not declaring her US passport. She was fined and subsequently arrested on the foreign agent charge, followed by a more serious accusation of spreading false information in December.

This case is seen as part of a broader crackdown on independent journalism in Russia, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine, with the “false information” charge frequently used to suppress dissent. The law criminalizing false information was enacted shortly after Russia’s invasion began, purportedly in response to what the Kremlin described as an “information war” against Russia.

Kurmasheva’s conviction adds to concerns that Russia may be using American citizens as leverage in negotiations, potentially involving exchanges for Russian prisoners held abroad. While speculation about such swaps continues, especially following Gershkovich’s sentencing, Kurmasheva’s situation remains uncertain.

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Russian Activist Oleg Orlov Compares Judicial System to Nazi Era During Appeal

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Oleg Orlov, a prominent Russian human rights activist and chairman of the now-banned Memorial human rights group, recently compared Russia’s judicial system to that of Nazi Germany during his appeal against a prison sentence. Orlov, aged 71, was appealing a two-and-a-half-year prison term he received five months ago on charges of discrediting the armed forces by criticizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine and labeling the country a fascist state.

During his appeal, Orlov, speaking via video link from custody in Syzran, made a poignant statement asserting that he regretted nothing and would not repent for his actions. He quoted Telford Taylor, a US prosecutor involved in the Nuremberg trials after World War II, who described the Nazis as having utterly destroyed justice and law, turning the judicial system into a tool of dictatorship. Orlov remarked that Taylor’s words could now be applied to the current state of Russia’s judicial system, particularly for political prisoners.

The appeal hearing, held at the Moscow city court, drew international attention with ambassadors from the US, UK, and several other Western nations present. Orlov’s original conviction and subsequent sentencing earlier this year followed a retrial, where an earlier fine was replaced with imprisonment after prosecutors argued the original sentence was too lenient.

Oleg Orlov has been a pivotal figure in Memorial, a group dedicated to commemorating victims of Soviet oppression while advocating against contemporary human rights abuses in Russia. Despite Memorial being banned in Russia in 2021, it received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022 alongside Belarusian activist Ales Bialiatski and the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties for its contributions to civil society, peace, and democracy.

Orlov’s case is widely viewed as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Russia, reflecting growing concerns about the state of civil liberties and the rule of law in the country.

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