Poisoned’ Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Rushed To Berlin Hospital
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been airlifted from Russia to a hospital in Berlin for suspected poisoning.
European Union
Church Leaders Urge Prayers For Belarus As Protests Grow
Catholic and Orthodox Church leaders call for prayers for the people of Belarus, and urge the government to end a crackdown on opposition supporters.
Belarus Leader Warns: Russia Provides ‘Security’ As Protests Grow
Thousands of demonstrators in Belarus have retaken to the streets to demand that the nation’s authoritarian leader resigns after a presidential vote they claimed was rigged. In response, President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had agreed to provide security assistance to restore order if Belarus requested.
Iran, EU Reject U.S. Plan To Trigger ‘Snapback’ Of Sanctions
Iran and the European Union have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions on Iran at the United Nations under a provision of the Iran nuclear deal.
Thousands Detained As Tensions Escalate In Belarus
Authorities in Belarus acknowledged Wednesday that they detained as many as 6,000 anti-government protestors who disputed the victory of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sunday’s election. Clashes continued for a third straight night with police violence reported in the capital Minsk and other cities after main opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya fled the troubled nation.
Belarus Opposition Leader Flees To Lithuania Amid Crackdown
The primary political opponent of the longtime president of Belarus has reportedly fled the nation amid a massive police crackdown on protests. Lithuania says it provides shelter to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier brought her young children outside the country. Tuesday’s announcement came after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner in Sunday’s presidential poll despite mounting opposition against his rule.
Britain Increasing Border Security As Migrants Cross Channel In Risky Boats; Europe Concerned
Britain’s government pledged Friday to strengthen border security, as a daily record number of people crossed the English Channel to the U.K. in small boats. The measures that reportedly could involve the Royal Navy, come amid broader concerns in Europe about a rising number of migrants re-emerging following lengthy coronavirus lockdowns.
Europe’s Economies Plunging Into Coronavirus Recession
The European Union’s statistics agency has reported the most significant economic falls within the 27-nation bloc since it began recording the figures 25 years ago.
Eurozone suffers 40.3% annualized contraction, greatest drop on record
The Eurozone suffered its greatest contraction on record, exceeding the U.S. economy’s record plunge.
Concerns Growing Over Press Crackdown in Hungary
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) has urged the European Union to help end an alleged government crackdown on independent media in Hungary.
80 Journalists Resign From Hungary’s Leading News Site
Some 80 journalists have resigned from Hungary’s leading news website Index.hu amid mounting government pressure on independent and critical media.
EU Agrees On Coronavirus Fund After Disputes
Leaders of the European Union have agreed on an unprecedented 1.82 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) budget and coronavirus recovery fund after tense negotiations that included table banging and meeting walkouts.
EU Leaders Continue Corona Talks Amid Abuse and Table Banging
Leaders of the 27 European Union nations are trying to agree on a massive EU coronavirus recovery fund and a budget amid reports of quarrels. As talks entered their fourth day, there was some hope of a breakthrough. However, the European Union delegates appeared weary and even bleary as they began another round of fighting over an unprecedented 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget.
Erdogan Defies the West to Make Turkey a Regional Power
When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reopens Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia for prayers next week, it will be the crowning symbol of his mission to reassert Turkey’s role as a Muslim power on the global stage. Yet Turkey’s rarely seemed more alone.
US, India Discuss ‘Possibility’ of Free Trade Pact
The U.S. and India discussed the “possibility” of a free trade pact, India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement Thursday, just days after India began free trade agreement talks with the European Union.
EU Tensions Escalate Over 2 Trillion Budget and Coronavirus Aid
European Union negotiations on an unprecedented nearly two trillion euro budget and coronavirus recovery fund entered the third day amid warnings the summit could end without an agreement.
Deadly Fight Erupts Between Azerbaijan, Armenia
Fresh fighting erupted Thursday on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, dashing hopes of an end to the worst clashes between the neighbors in years.
Pro-Western Party Wins Troubled Vote In North Macedonia
A pro-Western party in North Macedonia is trying to form a coalition government after it claimed victory in somewhat historic but troubled elections. The Balkan nation’s first national vote under a new state name faced a suspected hacking attack impacting the publishing of results.
EU, India move closer to free trade deal
India and the European Union have vowed to deepen trade ties on Wednesday, with the two sides agreeing to set up a high-level ministerial dialogue on trade and investment.
EU states have yet to agree on coronavirus economic stimulus package
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said a further summit of European Union member states may be required if Friday’s planned meeting fails to produce agreement on an economic stimulus package to help the bloc recover financially from COVID-19, the Washington Times reports.