Briefly

AUSTRALIA

Troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghans

A shocking military report into war crimes has found evidence that elite Australian troops unlawfully killed 39 Afghan prisoners, farmers and civilians. Australian Defense Force Chief General Angus Campbell said on Thursday the shameful record included alleged instances in which new patrol members would shoot a prisoner in order to achieve their first kill in a practice known as "blooding". He said the soldiers would then plant weapons and radios to support false claims the prisoners were enemies killed in action. Campbell told reporters in Canberra the illegal killings began in 2009, with the majority occurring in 2012 and 2013.

VENEZUELA

US names 1st envoy in decade amid tensions

The United States has declared its first ambassador to Venezuela in a decade despite Washington having no diplomats at its Caracas embassy amid a breakdown in relations. James Story's nomination was confirmed on Wednesday in a US Senate vote. The new envoy will likely play a key role in helping guide US policy on Venezuela during the transition in administrations. The United States and Venezuela stopped exchanging ambassadors in 2010. In 2019, the two countries broke off their diplomatic ties shortly after Washington announced its backing of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido as the country's leader.

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqis, Saudis reopen border after 30 years

Iraq and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday reopened their land border for the first time in 30 years. A statement by the Iraqi Border Port Commission said that an Iraqi delegation of high-ranking officials, headed by Interior Minister Othman al-Ghanimi, and a Saudi delegation attended the reopening ceremony at the Arar border-crossing point. On Nov 10,Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud held a video conference and agreed to the reopening, as part of efforts to improve relations.

Agencies - Xinhua