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UN probe rejected

Tehran has dismissed a move by the UN Human Rights Council to announce a fact-finding commission to investigate the recent incidents in Iran. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says Iran has already formed a national fact-finding committee to look into the events. Nasser Kan'ani says Tehran will not cooperate with the mission. According to the spokesman, some Western countries are using human rights for political objectives. He says this undermines the legitimacy of UN mechanisms. Kan’ani said such anti-Iran campaigns are led by such countries as Germany, which supplied the former Iraqi regime with the chemical weapons it used against Iran during their 1980’s war. The special session of the Human Rights Council on the alleged human rights violations in Iran was held at Germany's initiative. Tehran sees such interventions as meddling in its internal affairs.

South Korea strike

The South Korean government raises alert about the country’s cargo transport disruption to serious, as a nationwide strike by truckers enters its 5th day. The country’s transport ministry says the warning level is the highest as the walkout has negatively affected the supply chain. Construction sites also face concrete shortages. South Korea is witnessing the 2nd major strike in less than six months over truckers’ demands for higher wages and better working conditions. The South Korean government estimates that truckers' strike could cause losses of up to 300bn won per day. President Yoon Suk-Yeol criticized the industrial action last week, but his government says it will negotiate with the union on Monday. According to the transport ministry, container traffic at ports fell to around 8% of normal levels. South Korea’s economy, which leans on exports, is expected to experience a reduction in its growth next year.

Belgium clashes

Morocco’s FIFA World Cup win against Belgium triggers clashes after the Moroccan community bursts into celebrations in the Belgian capital Brussels. Dozens of fans smashed shop windows, threw fireworks and torched vehicles. About 100 officers used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the rioters. Police say 11 people were arrested. Also in the eastern city of Liege, a gang of 50 people attacked a police station, breaking windows and damaging two police vehicles. The police there also resorted to water cannons. Belgium is home to around 500,000 people of Moroccan descent. Morocco beat Belgium 2-nill in their World Cup face-off.

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