Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that more talks between parliamentary groups were needed before lawmakers vote on the ratification of Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership bids which they will begin debating next Wednesday. Speaking on public radio, Orban said he had asked lawmakers of his nationalist Fidesz …
Read More »As Russians inch forward near Bakhmut, Ukrainians prepare fallback defenses
What happened in the 51st week of Russia’s war in Ukraine? Ukraine faced its toughest week so far this year on the eastern front, where its defenders lost more ground to Russian forces but committed enormous resources to holding Bakhmut, a coal-mining town that has acquired emblematic importance to both …
Read More »Ukraine conflict – day 345: Air raid sirens in Kyiv, Putin hints at nuclear weapons use
TOP HEADLINES · Air raid sirens rang out in Kyiv and across Ukraine before the start of a summit bringing together senior Ukrainian officials and EU representatives. · EU chief Charles Michel arrived in Kyiv to join a summit with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and vowed support for Ukraine’s bid …
Read More »Muslims rise up in protest across world to condemn Quran desecration
People have held monumental rallies across several Muslim countries throughout the world, condemning instances of desecration of the Holy Quran in Europe. Mass demonstrations erupted in the capital Baghdad and various Iraqi cities to renounce Paludan protest in Sweden on January 21 and a similar incident in the Netherlands last …
Read More »Iran announces retaliatory sanctions on dozens of EU, UK individuals, entities
Iran on Wednesday announced sanctions against 34 individuals and entities from the European Union and the United Kingdom, days after Brussels and London imposed a fresh round of sanctions targeting Iranian officials and organizations. The ministry said the individuals and entities were designated because of “supporting terrorism and terrorist groups, …
Read More »Europe could dodge a recession. But the UK is in a mess
Business activity across the 20 countries that use the euro expanded in January for the first time in six months, according to data published Tuesday, providing fresh evidence that Europe’s economy could confound expectations and dodge a recession this year. An initial reading of the eurozone’s Purchasing Managers’ Index, which …
Read More »Europe will ‘pay dearly’ for its ‘visceral’ moves over anti-IRGC vote, Iran FM warns
Iran’s foreign minister has censured the European Parliament’s “visceral” vote calling for the designation of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terror group, warning that such conduct would be “costly” for Europe. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the correct path for Europe would be rather to concentrate on diplomacy, constructive …
Read More »Finland’s top diplomat hints at joining NATO without Sweden
Finland’s foreign minister said on Tuesday a time-out of a few weeks was needed in Finland and Sweden’s talks with Turkey on their application to join the NATO military alliance. Turkey’s president said on Monday that Sweden should not expect his country’s support after a protest near the Turkish embassy …
Read More »Another coup plot foiled in Germany
Five suspects from right-wing circles were charged with preparing to overthrow the government and abduct a minister German security services have charged five suspects with treason over an alleged plot to overthrow the government. The group, whose members are now all in custody, allegedly planned to cause a “civil war-like” …
Read More »Thousands protest against Spanish government in Madrid
Thousands of people protested in Madrid Saturday against Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s leftist government in a rally held in a key election year that was backed by far-right party Vox. Participants waved red and yellow Spanish flags and called on Sanchez to resign. Some held up signs with a photo …
Read More »Ukraine regrets ‘indecision’ on tanks that ‘is killing more of our people’
Ukraine on Saturday denounced the “global indecision” of its allies on whether to provide heavy-duty modern tanks for its fight against Russia, saying “today’s indecision is killing more of our people.” “Every day of delay is the death of Ukrainians. Think faster,” presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted after the meeting …
Read More »UK set to supply Ukraine with Challenger 2 tanks, more artillery systems, PM says
The UK government is set to supply Ukraine with a fresh package of lethal military equipment, including heavy battle tanks, despite Russia’s warning against fanning the flames of war by sending military supplies to Kiev. In a telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, British Prime Minister Rishi …
Read More »Over 45,000 migrants made Channel crossing to the UK in 2022
More than 45,000 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK from mainland Europe in 2022, surpassing the previous year’s record by more than 17,000, according to government figures released Sunday. The issue has become a huge political problem for the Conservative government, which has promised to bring down illegal immigration …
Read More »2022 in review: a hinge of history?
Future historians may come to regard 2022 as a hinge in history, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. Major war returned to Europe, with the attendant threats of nuclear strikes, the door closed firmly shut on the U.S. policy of strategic engagement with China, and …
Read More »European stocks end worst year since 2018
Leading indices have sold off on high inflation, geopolitical tensions, and tightening monetary policy Major European stock indices struggled in 2022, with most showing their worst performance since before the Covid-19 pandemic, CNBC reported on Friday. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index began the last trading day of the year down …
Read More »Calls for EU lobbying rules to be reformed grow as corruption scandal rocks Brussels
Greek MEP Eva Kaili, a vice president of the parliament, is among four charged amid the investigation into suspected influence peddling involving a Gulf country. Belgian media have linked the probe to World Cup hosts Qatar; Doha has denied the accusations. Kaili was arrested after Belgian police staged 16 raids …
Read More »Stoltenberg warns about full-fledged war between Russia, NATO
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has warned about a full-fledged war between Russia and the Western military alliance if the war in Ukraine spirals out of control. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK on Friday, Stoltenberg said he feared that the war in Ukraine “will spiral out of control and become a …
Read More »US to send more weapons to Ukraine as EU adds to arms for Kyiv
The United States has agreed to send more weapons to Ukraine as the European Union is to add 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to a fund used to help arm Kyiv. Washington is to officially announce on Friday its decision to send another arms package to Kyiv, which will include …
Read More »UK faces winter of strikes as workers demand higher pay
Britain faces widespread industrial unrest in the run-up to the Christmas holiday and into January as workers struggling with double-digit inflation resort to strike action to demand better pay and working conditions. Below are some of the industries in which labour unions have undertaken or threatened strikes, echoing actions across …
Read More »EU finalizing plan for new anti-Russia sanctions – Politico
The bloc may reportedly blacklist 180 Russian entities and individuals in the tech, financial, and media sectors EU officials have discussed a new sanctions package against Russia over the Ukraine war, Politico reported on Monday. The potential additional restrictions include nearly two hundred listings linked to key Russian industries, including …
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