Briefly

UNITED STATES

'Greatest culprit' for climate woes named

The US is "still by far the greatest culprit" for climate change, and that fact has been commonly understood by climate specialists but rarely highlighted in US media, World Politics Review has reported. In an article released last week, the online publisher said:"Since 1850, when industrialization began producing human-made atmospheric carbon in substantial quantities for the first time, the US has created 509 gigatons of carbon, or a fifth of the cumulative total." It urged US media and politicians to stop blame-shifting or scapegoating responsibilities with "flirting with apocalypse" narratives.

Capitol riot 'shaman' jailed for 41 months

The self-proclaimed shaman whose bare chest and horned fur headgear made him the face of the Jan 6 assault on the US Capitol was sentenced on Wednesday to 41 months in prison. Jacob Chansley, 34, had pleaded guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding after taking part in the storming of the US Senate chamber by supporters of then-president Donald Trump. The court heard how, after entering the chamber, Chansley took then-vice-president Mike Pence's seat on the dais, leaving behind a message saying: "It's only a matter of time. Justice is coming."

SUDAN

Over 14 die in rallies against military move

At least 14 protesters were killed on Wednesday during demonstrations against a military takeover in Sudan, officials said. On Wednesday, Khartoum and other cities witnessed huge demonstrations against measures recently adopted by the Sudanese army commander, including dissolving the government and appointing a new sovereign council.

SYRIA

Western sanctions hinder refugees' return

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad on Wednesday said the Western sanctions are preventing the return of Syrian refugees, state news agency SANA reported. The top diplomat also accused the West of not wanting the return of refugees so they can use the refugees to exert pressure on Damascus. According to UNICEF, the Syrian refugee issue remains the largest displacement crisis in the world, with 5.6 million registered refugees, including over 2.5 million children, living in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

RUSSIA

Reporter's space beat to begin with a blast

Russia's TASS news agency signed a memorandum of cooperation with the state space corporation Roscosmos on Wednesday to open a permanent representation on the International Space Station. The first correspondent in space will be Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin, who is scheduled to leave the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for the ISS on Dec 8 onboard a Soyuz MS-20 spacecraft.

Agencies - Xinhua