Pro-Western Candidate Wins Moldova’s Presidential Election
Pro-western opposition candidate Maia Sandu has won Moldova’s presidential election after a run-off vote against incumbent Igor Dodon, who was openly supported by Russia.
Euro
Hungary, Poland Block EU Budget And Coronavirus Rescue
Hungary and Poland blocked approval of the European Union’s 1.8 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) budget and coronavirus rescue package after accusing the bloc of interfering in their domestic affairs.
Europe Faces Christmas Hurdles Over Coronavirus Pandemic
European leaders say their citizens should prepare for a bleak winter as the coronavirus rages across nations. Countries from West to East Europe warned it is too early to plan for Christmas travel because COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
Brexit: Trade deal ‘may not succeed’ before year end
The U.K.’s chief Brexit negotiator said Sunday before renewed talks that a trade deal with the European Union may not succeed, but he was still hopeful of a resolution.
Hungary’s Orbán Orders Army To Enforce Rules Amid Controversy
Hungary’s authoritarian prime minister asked the army to help enforce a nightly curfew while introducing constitutional changes that critics said were meant to keep him in power. Viktor Orbán claimed the military was needed to maintain order during a coronavirus state of emergency that allows him to rule by decree.
Russia plans to have naval base in Sudan
Russia and Sudan have drafted a bilateral agreement that would allow for a Russian naval logistics base in Sudan, Radio Free Europe reported Thursday. The Sudanese are top importers of Russian arms in Africa, and Russia has economic and geopolitical interests in oil and minerals-rich Sudan.
France’s Macron Calls on EU Leaders to Work Together to Fight Islamist Terror
French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a virtual mini-summit on Tuesday in a bid to win broader European support for hardening borders in the wake of several Islamist terror attacks.
Hungary Bans Gay Adoptions In Constitution To Protect ‘Order of Creation’
Hungary’s government has proposed a constitutional amendment defending “the order of Creation” that would require children to be raised according to Christian principles and bans adoption by same-sex couples.
Hungary Introduces Corona Restrictions Amid Standoff With EU
Hungary’s controversial prime minister has introduced a nationwide curfew and other strict measures to halt the coronavirus pandemic citing a massive increase in deaths and hospitalizations across Europe.
Post-Brexit trade deal: UK and EU resume grid-locked negotiations
Stalled post-Brexit trade deal talks have resumed once again as British and European Union negotiators convened in London Monday, the Washington Times reports. Recent talks in Brussels left the two sides still far apart on the way forward following the UK’s official departure from the EU trading bloc in January. The parties have until December 31 to agree a trade deal before the post-Brexit transition period comes to an end. Hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides may be lost in the event of a “no-deal Brexit.”
In Europe, Calls Grow Louder for United Front Against ‘Political Islam’
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is urging fellow European leaders to form a common front against what some leaders call “political Islam.”
Over 1,600 African Migrants Cross Sea To Spain as Europe Braces for Influx
Europe was bracing for another influx of people fleeing war and persecution, and poverty as over 1,600 African migrants were reportedly rescued at sea or reached Spain’s Canary Islands over the weekend.
Kosovo’s President In Detention In Netherlands
Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci remained in detention in the Dutch city of The Hague on Friday, after resigning to face war crimes charges.
German Police Raid Homes After Islamist Attack In Austria
German police have searched four men’s homes over suspected links with a militant Islamist gunman who shot dead four people in central Vienna. The raids follow revelations that Austria had been warned of a possible attack by neighboring Slovakia.
Kosovo President Resigns Over War Crimes Allegations
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci said Thursday he had resigned because a special court at The Hague indicted him for war crimes.
Brexit: Deadline looms but still no trade deal between EU and UK
As the UK veers towards the January 1 deadline for agreeing on a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, the EU’s chief negotiator said London was to blame for the two parties’ failure to reach even a basic agreement so far, the Washington Examiner reported Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of jobs may be lost on both sides if no deal is agreed within the year-long transition period triggered when Britain officially left the EU trading bloc in January.
Iran, Venezuela Look To ‘Deepen’ Ties
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has arrived in Venezuela at the start of a Latin American tour that will also take him to Cuba and Bolivia.
UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’ following deadly attacks in Europe
The United Kingdom has raised its terror threat level to “severe” following recent attacks in Austria and France that authorities have linked to Islamic extremism.
Austria Terror Attacks Leave Several Dead and Wounded
Austrian police rushed towards central Vienna after shots were fired near a synagogue, killing at least one person and injuring others, authorities said.
U.S. Announces Seizure Of Iranian Weapons It Says Were En Route To Yemen
The United States says it has seized a variety of missiles that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ (IRGC) Quds Force shipped to Yemen and announced the sale of Iranian oil it seized in August before it reached Venezuela, saying the proceeds will benefit victims of terrorism.