EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.
Europe
Second defector’s knowledge of Chinese bioweapons reaches U.S.
U.S. intelligence agencies recently increased their knowledge of China’s covert biological weapons program with the help of a defector from the People’s Liberation Army, according to people familiar with the incident.
U.S. President Presides Over Historic’ Peace Agreement’ Between U.A.E. and Israel
Writing history, U.S. President Donald Trump presided over a signing ceremony at the White House establishing formal ties between Israel and two Arab nations, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Bahrain.
Brexit drama in the UK as Boris Johnson pushes bill to override EU exit deal
More than four years since Brits voted to leave the European Union, the United Kingdom is once again engulfed in another Brexit crisis — with a dramatic move by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to potentially rewrite parts of the initial divorce deal, sparking outrage and threats of legal action from E.U. leaders.
Belarus Detains Dozens Of Pro-Democracy Protestors Opposing President
As talks were underway between the Vatican and Belarus, reports emerged that Belarusian authorities detained dozens of pro-democracy protesters.
Hungary Cancels License Of Main Independent Radio Station
Hungary’s government-controlled media authority has ordered one of the country’s last independent talk radio stations to cease broadcasting in February next year. The Media Council said Budapest-based Klubrádió was responsible for “multiple breaches of media law” after earlier fining the network as a pretext for discontinuing the frequency license. In a statement obtained by Worthy News, Klubrádió said it would “fight with every possible legal and other means” to preserve it’s right to broadcast.
Controversial Brexit bill passes Commons vote
The House of Commons passed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s proposed bill in a vote on Monday evening by 340 to 263, with results coming in around 10:30 p.m. local time.
Trump: ‘Historic 9/11 Agreement Between Bahrain and Israel’
On the anniversary of the worst-ever Islamic acts of terrorism, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a hopeful “historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East” with Bahrain establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel.
Eritrea Releasing Dozens Of Christians From Tough Prisons
Eritrea has released dozens of Christians, many of whom spent a decade behind bars for their faith in Christ, well-informed rights activists say.
EU, U.K. in urgent meeting on lawbreaking British Brexit plan
Top European Union and British officials were holding an emergency meeting in London on Thursday over Britain’s plan to break part of the Brexit divorce agreement, a move the EU says would demolish any goodwill to reach a trade agreement.
A pipeline built for Iran may turn Israel into a major crude oil transportation hub
Following the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, it is possible the UAE will make use of a crude oil pipeline originally built by Israel and pre-revolution Iran – and turn Israel into a major center for the transport of oil between regions, 246 Mag reports. In using the pipeline, the UAE could bypass transporting oil through the Suez Canal and save a great deal of money on shipping costs.
Opposition Leader Urges End To Deals With Belarus President Amid Kidnappings and Expulsions
An opposition leader says an increasing number of critical activists opposing Belarusian President Alexander Lukanhesko are detained, kidnapped, and sometimes expelled from the country. The statement by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya comes amid dramatic scenes at the borders of the former Soviet republic.
Thousands Protest Hungarian Government “Takeover” of Universities
A tense calm returned to Budapest on Monday after thousands of Hungarians protested against what they view as a nationalist government takeover of public education.
Hungary Unveils Statue Of Late President Bush
Hungary says it will unveil a statue of late U.S. President George W. Bush in Budapest to mark the 30th anniversary of the collapse of communist dictatorship in Central and Eastern Europe. In 1989, Bush became the first U.S. president to visit Hungary while in office. He died in 2018 at the age of 94.
EU Warns Kosovo, Serbia: ‘Don’t Move Embassies To Jerusalem’
The European Union has warned Serbia and Kosovo that they may not become members of the bloc if they move their embassies to Jerusalem.
EU Accuses Britain Of Torpedoing Brexit Deal
European Union leaders have accused Britain of throwing political grenades across the channel by threatening to undermine its divorce deal with the EU. The so-called Brexit Withdrawal Agreement was signed last year to allow Britain’s orderly exit from the bloc.
Belarus Sees More Protests Despite Intensified Crackdown
Police have tried to disperse demonstrators in the Belarusian capital where some 100,000 people demanded the resignation of long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko. Sunday’s rallies in Minsk and other cities came as a police crackdown on dissidents and activists intensified.
Archeologists Discover Key Artifact From Europe’s Early Christianity in Britain
Britain-based archaeologists say they have discovered “one of the most important” artifacts from early Christianity in Western Europe. The 5th-century cup etched with symbols of Christian iconography was unearthed during excavation works at a ruined 6th-century church in Northumberland, northern England, officials said.
Johnson says UK will quit Brexit talks if no deal by Oct 15
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson talked tough on Sunday ahead of a crucial round of post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union, saying Britain could walk away from the talks within weeks and insisting that a no-deal exit would be a “good outcome for the U.K.”
Slovakia Acquits Suspects In Slayings Of Journalist and Fiancée
Leading journalism groups have condemned a court in Slovakia for acquitting main suspects in the 2018 slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancée.