EU, British Leaders Concede Big Gaps Remain in Post-Brexit Talks
Britain and the European Union provided sober updates Thursday on the state of post-Brexit trade discussions, with only two weeks to go before a potentially chaotic split.
World News
Putin: Arms race with US ‘has already begun’
An arms race between Washington and Moscow “has already begun,” according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
China infiltrates Western embassies, defense contractors and drug makers with communist operators
A leaked database of nearly 2 million Communist Party members has revealed the lengths to which China’s leaders have gone to place operatives in strategic positions in government and business around the world.
France: ‘14 Terrorists Get Long Prison Terms’
A Paris court has found 14 people guilty of involvement in a series of deadly Islamist terror attacks that shook the nation and much of Europe.
UK and Mexico sign post-Brexit continuity deal
The UK and Mexico signed a continuity agreement Tuesday that will permit trade between them to continue on current terms after Britain leaves the European Union’s common trade policy on December 31, Reuters reports.
International Criminal Court will not investigate China’s alleged abuses against Uighur Muslims
The International Criminal Court has refused calls to investigate alleged Chinese government oppression of Uighur Muslims, saying it has no jurisdiction to do so because China is not a signatory to the ICC, VOA reports. The ICC announced its decision in a report published by the office of prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on December 14.
Russia has built up its military forces along border with Eastern Europe
As the U.S. reels from revelations that Russian hackers infiltrated sensitive American computer networks, a new report finds that Moscow in recent years built up and repositioned military forces in a key region that borders countries in Eastern Europe.
Hungary Approves ‘Anti-Gay’ Constitution
Hungary has adopted an amendment to its constitution that effectively bans the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The legislation also loosens oversight of public funds despite corruption concerns and detailed rules governing war times.
Europe Nations In Controversial Lockdowns
Governments in several European countries have tightened coronavirus restrictions ahead of Christmas despite mounting protests and upcoming vaccines.
EU-UK post-Brexit deal still “possible”
With just over two weeks to the end-of-year deadline, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said Monday it is still possible a post-Brexit trade deal could be struck between Britain and the European Union, Deutsche Welle reports.
Sudan removed from US list of state sponsors of terrorism
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday that Sudan has been officially removed from a list of countries that the US considers being state sponsors of terrorism, the Jerusalem Post reports. The 1993 US designation of Sudan as a terror sponsor was made during the brutal dictatorship of former president Omar al-Bashir, who was believed to be protecting terrorist groups, and who was finally ousted last year.
US Sanctions Turkey For Purchasing Russian Missile System
The United States has sanctioned Turkey, a NATO military alliance ally after it defiantly bought a Russian anti-aircraft missile system.
Russia test-fires ballistic missiles from nuclear submarine
Russia has confirmed that it successfully test-fired four intercontinental ballistic missiles from a nuclear submarine on Saturday, the Washington Times reports.
China calls on new US administration to quickly re-join Iran deal
The Chinese government has called on the new US administration to re-join the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran nuclear deal as soon as possible, Jerusalem Online reports. The Trump administration took the US out of the international deal in 2018.
EU To Curb Tech Giants Power
The European Union wants to curb the market dominance of tech giants with regulations and multi-billion-dollar fines, according to draft legislation leaked late Monday.
‘Climate Concerns’ Overshadow 5th Anniversary Of Paris Deal Summit
The U.S. government stayed away from a weekend summit marking the fifth anniversary of the controversial Paris Agreement on climate change, where world leaders expressed worries about Earth’s future.
Leak: ‘China Communists Infiltrate Governments, Companies Worldwide’
A significant leak shows that at least nearly two million Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members work worldwide, including US government agencies and the biggest companies, Australian media reported Sunday.
Britain, EU Agree To Keep Talking Over Deal
London and Brussels have agreed to continue talks on a crucial trade deal to avoid Britain’s turbulent exit from the European Union’s orbit by the end of the month. The announcement followed difficult negotiations between the two sides to prevent a messy divorce on Sunday.
Iran Executes Journalist Who Inspired Daring Protests
Iran on Saturday executed a journalist who inspired nationwide economic protests for freedom in 2017 after luring him out of exile in Paris and kidnapping him.
Hungarian Socialist Party Leader Resigns Over Smuggling Scandal
In a setback for Hungary’s self-declared anti-corruption opposition, a high ranking diplomat resigned after he was allegedly caught smuggling cigarettes through Ukraine’s border.