NAIROBI, 14 December 2021, (TON): Tigray rebels recaptured the north Ethiopian town of Lalibela, home to a UNESCO world heritage site, local residents told AFP, 11 days after Ethiopian forces said they had re-taken control.

The announcement marks another dramatic twist in the 13-month-old conflict that has killed thousands of people and triggered a deep humanitarian crisis in the north of Africa’s second most populous nation.

A resident reached by telephone said “Tigrayan fighters “are in the town center, there’s no fighting.”

A second resident said “yes they came back. They are already here.”

He added that they appeared to have come from the east, in the direction of Woldiya.

“The population, most of the people are scared. Some are running away. Most of the people, they already left because there might be a revenge. We expressed our happiness before when the junta left.”

The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebel group’s military leadership said in a statement shared with pro-TPLF media they had launched “comprehensive counter-offensives” in numerous locations including along the road linking Gashena and Lalibela.

LONDON, 14 December 2021, (TON): The Group of Seven economic powers told Russia to “de-escalate” its military buildup near the Ukrainian border, warning that an invasion would have massive consequences and inflict severe economic pain on Moscow.

Foreign ministers from the United States, Britain and the rest of the G-7, joined by the European Union’s foreign affairs chief, issued a joint statement declaring themselves “united in our condemnation of Russia’s military buildup and aggressive rhetoric toward Ukraine.”

The G-7 called on Russia to “de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels, and abide by its international commitments on transparency of military activities,” and praised Ukraine’s “restraint.”

The statement said “any use of force to change borders is strictly prohibited under international law. Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response.”

Russia’s movement of weapons and troops to the border region dominated weekend talks among foreign ministers from the G-7 wealthy democracies in the English city of Liverpool.

The US and it allies worry that the buildup could be precursor to an invasion, and have vowed to inflict heavy sanctions on Russia’s economy if that happens.

Moscow denies having any plans to attack Ukraine and accuses Kyiv of its own allegedly aggressive designs.

RIYADH, 14 December 2021, (TON): Speaker of the Shoura Council Sheikh Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Asheikh received newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom Pakeer Mohideen Amza in Riyadh.

Al-Asheikh expressed his wishes of success to the ambassador in strengthening the relations that unite Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.

He stressed the Shoura Council’s keenness and interest in developing joint bilateral work and coordination at the level of parliamentary relations with Sri Lanka, in order to achieve constructive cooperation.

Amza conveyed the greetings of the Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, stressing the importance of Saudi ties and the Kingdom’s role in political, economic and tourism developments.

WASHINGTON, 14 December 2021, (TON): The Pentagon said that no US military personnel would be held accountable for an August drone strike in Kabul that killed 10 civilians, including seven children.

An earlier investigation by the Air Force inspector general said “the Aug. 29 strike was caused by execution errors, interpreting information that supported certain viewpoints, and communication breakdowns. The military previously called the strike a “tragic mistake.”

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters that senior commanders had made a number of recommendations to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin about the incident, none of which included any accountability measures for specific personnel.

Kirby said “Austin accepted the recommendations.”

He added “I do not anticipate there being issues of personal accountability to be had.”

CAIRO, 14 December 2021, (TON): The ninth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption kicked off in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly was present, as were representatives from several hundred NGOs, and thousands of other participants.

In his speech, he said corruption is an obstacle to sustainable development that transcends borders, necessitating cooperation to combat it.

He added that tackling corruption is a basic principle of Egypt’s National Human Rights Strategy 2021-2026.

The UN described the conference, which ends, as a “global milestone to improve international cooperation against corruption and help the world recover in integrity from the pandemic.”

WASHINGTON, 14 December 2021, (TON): U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo today announced the 60 finalists for the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $1 billion “Build Back Better Regional Challenge” the marquee of EDA’s American Rescue Plan programs that aims to boost economic pandemic recovery and rebuild American communities, including some that have been grappling with decades of disinvestment.

The Build Back Better Regional Challenge provides transformative investments up to $100 million per grantee, to develop and strengthen regional industry clusters across the country, all while embracing economic equity, creating good-paying jobs, and enhancing U.S. competitiveness globally.

The 60 finalists each a coalition of partnering entities have proposed projects that will develop or scale industry sectors, develop and train the workforce of today, and build resilient economies. Finalists will now compete for Phase 2 of the Challenge, which will award 20-30 regional coalitions up to $100 million to implement 3-8 projects that support an industry sector. The deadline for Phase 2 is March 15, 2022.

Today’s finalists, chosen from a pool of 529 applicants, will each receive a grant of approximately $500,000 to further develop their proposed projects.

JAKARTA, 14 December 2021, (TON): Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta. Secretary Blinken and President Jokowi emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship.

The Secretary congratulated the President on Indonesia’s G20 presidency and expressed support for Indonesia’s leadership in the Indo-Pacific as the world’s third-largest democracy and a strong proponent of the rules-based international order.

The Secretary reiterated the U.S. commitment to ASEAN centrality and our support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

MOSCOW, 14 December 2021, (TON): Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian discussed by phone the situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear program in the context of the resumption of negotiations in Vienna to restore the deal.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement “the main attention was paid to the current situation around the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iranian nuclear program in the context of the negotiation process resumed on November 29 in Vienna. The parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to the restoration of the nuclear deal in its original balanced configuration, approved by the United Natiions Security Council. the right way to ensure the rights and interests of all participants in the comprehensive agreements.”

According to the Foreign Ministry, the ministers also discussed a number of topical issues on the bilateral and regional agenda.

The conversation took place at the initiative of the Iranian side.

LONDON, 14 December 2021, (TON): Foreign Secretary Liz Truss convened a meeting of the six Foreign Ministers of the Western Balkans in London to discuss strengthening economic and security ties and supporting freedom and stability in the region.

The UK’s new Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach, also attended as did the EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcák and US Deputy Assistant Secretary Gabriel Escobar.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said that the UK is stepping up its efforts to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region. This is a critical moment for the Western Balkans and it is important that the peace, freedom and democracy that was hard won over 20 years ago is maintained.

“I recently hosted the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Liverpool where a discussion was held on the Western Balkans and Minsters welcomed the stepping up of the UK presence. I want the UK and our allies to build closer economic and security ties with the region, which will boosts jobs and growth and help support a freer, wealthier, more secure Western Balkans.”

“I also welcomed representatives from the European Union and the US to these discussions and emphasised the need to work together on stepping up our efforts to find lasting solutions to reduce tensions in the region.”

As part of this effort, the UK has appointed Sir Stuart Peach as Special Envoy to the Western Balkans. He has long experience in the region, as former United Kingdom Chief of the Defence Staff and Chair of NATO’s military committee, and will visit the region tomorrow to take forward our engagement.

ABU DHABI, 14 December 2021, (TON): Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in the first ever public meeting between an Israeli leader and the United Arab Emirates' de facto ruler.

Israel's ambassador to Abu Dhabi said the issue of Iran was on the agenda for their talks, which follow the formalisation of Israel-UAE relations last year under a US-led regional initiative.

While shared concern about Iranian activity was among the reasons for the diplomatic moves, the UAE has also been trying to improve relations with Tehran.

Releasing photographs of Bennett and Sheikh Mohammed smiling and shaking hands, the Israeli leader's office described the meeting as "historic".

Israeli Ambassador Amir Hayek declined to elaborate on any discussion of Iran but he told Israel's Army Radio: "The prime minister did not only come here solely to address the Iranian issue."

Israel-UAE bilateral trade in goods alone reached nearly $500 million so far in 2021 - up from $125 million in 2020 - and is expected to continue growing rapidly.