UAE: A mass trial of dissidents in the United Arab Emirates sentenced 43 people to life in prison today while several other defendants received long prison terms in a case that has been widely criticised by activists abroad.

The sentences came in a case described by the UAE government as involving the Muslim Brotherhood, but activists say the case is targeting dissidents.

SOUTH SUDAN: Peace talks between government representatives and opposition groups stumbled today after the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance demanded that a newly passed Bill allowing the detention of people without an arrest warrant be scratched out.

Human Rights Watch also called for the Bill to be scrapped saying that it will further undermine human rights and strengthen national security agencies that have a history of longstanding rights abuses.

UKRAINE: Russia promised an early release of all Indian citizens fighting in its army during President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s Foreign Ministry said.

Delhi has been seeking the release of Indians, who say they were lured to Russia on the promise of non-combat jobs in the army but were later forced into active combat in Ukraine.

NATO: US President Joe Biden pledged to forcefully defend Ukraine against Russia at the Nato summit in Washington, saying that Ukraine “can and will stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.”

Presidential contender Donald Trump has said that he would not defend Nato members which do not pay enough towards the alliance if they came under military attack.