Events that left their mark on the world last week: Starring the US, Iran, Germany, North Korea, and the Vatican

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Last week, many developments took place that occupied the global public agenda.

The disappearance of politician Alexei Navalny in Russia, Iran summoning the German Ambassador to Tehran to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Houthi militia's attacks in the Red Sea, the US forming a coalition against the Houthi militia, Iran blaming Israel for software problems in payment systems at many gas stations, North Korea launching a missile capable of carrying an atomic bomb into the Sea of Japan, the major earthquake in China, and the Vatican allowing the blessing of same-sex couples were among the prominent developments.

HERE ARE THE EVENTS THAT LEFT THEIR MARK ON THE WORLD LAST WEEK:

Still no trace of Navalny (21.12.2023)

The team of opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who has been missing in Russia for more than two weeks, has offered a reward to anyone who can provide information that will help locate him.

Navalny's spokesperson, Kira Jarmysch, said that their hope remains, that they think other prisoners or guards might have noticed something during prison transfers, and that they are waiting for any possible information that might come from these sources.

Iran summoned the German Ambassador to Tehran for a meeting (20.12.2023)

A 36-year-old Iranian who is a German citizen was found guilty by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court and sentenced to 9 months in prison for planning an arson attack on a synagogue in Bochum.

Following the decision, Iranian authorities summoned the German Ambassador to Tehran for a meeting. Iran announced that it had recalled its representative in Berlin to protest what it claimed were "baseless accusations" by the German judiciary.

German Ambassador Hans-Udo Muzel was informed about this by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, Germany stated that the attack on the Rabbinerhaus in Essen was also linked to this plan and that the aim of these actions was to create fear in Germany.

What is the real goal of the Houthi militia's attacks in the Red Sea? (19.12.2023)

It has been reported that the Houthi militia has increased its attacks on ships in the Red Sea in recent weeks. The militia group in Yemen has brought the war in the Middle East and its support for the Palestinians to the headlines.

A member of the Houthi Politburo stated in a statement to the Arab news channel Al Jazeera that they would expand and escalate their operations if the attacks on Gaza do not end.

This situation is considered a significant development in terms of regional security and political balances.

Major earthquake in China (19.12.2023)

At least 126 people lost their lives and more than 500 people were injured in a violent earthquake that occurred in northwestern China. As nighttime temperatures drop below zero, the chances of survival for those under the rubble are decreasing.

Nighttime temperatures in the region dropped to minus twelve degrees. People are trying to survive by warming themselves at open fires they lit outside in the cold.

The US forming a coalition against the Houthi militia (19.12.2023)

The US has formed a military coalition in response to the increasing Houthi militia attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. Ten countries, including the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain, have joined this multinational "Operation Prosperity Guardian" security initiative.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany is still evaluating the request to participate.

Iran accuses Israel of carrying out a cyberattack on gas stations in Iran (18.12.2023)

Iran blamed Israel for serious software problems in payment systems at many gas stations. Oil Minister Javad Owji stated that Israel and America want to put the Iranian people in a difficult situation in this way due to their failures in other areas.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this accusation through the state news agency IRNA.

North Korea launches a missile capable of carrying an atomic bomb (18.12.2023)

Despite UN resolutions, North Korea launched a long-range missile capable of carrying an atomic bomb. The Japanese Ministry of Defense announced that the missile was an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of more than 15 thousand kilometers and could theoretically hit the entire US territory.

The missile fell into the Sea of Japan after traveling a distance of approximately 1,000 kilometers. This event occurred after North Korea launched a short-range missile from near Pyongyang the previous weekend.

Vatican allows the blessing of same-sex couples (18.12.2023)

The Vatican has allowed the blessing of same-sex couples in the Catholic Church. This decision represents a significant turning point since the Vatican did not allow such blessings to the German Church in 2021.

The decision bears the signature of Cardinal Victor Fernandez and was approved by Pope Francis. The statement noted that the Church's understanding of blessing, which means wishing for God's protection, happiness, and success for a person, has been "expanded and enriched" in light of Pope Francis's pastoral ideals.

This step is seen as a significant change when looking at the Vatican's previous policies regarding the recognition of same-sex relationships.