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.
World News
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.
Pompeo warns TikTok users’ personal info could be going ‘directly to the Chinese Communist Party’
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo supported President Trump’s proposed ban of social media phenomenon TikTok, explaining to Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures” just how use of the app exposes Americans to having their personal information sent straight to the Chinese government.
US to Have Permanent Troop Presence in Poland as Defense Pact Agreed
The United States will establish a permanent military presence in Poland as it deploys around 1,000 additional U.S. troops there, Poland‘s Defense Ministry said on Friday.
Revolutionary microchip hailed as ‘generational’ breakthrough that will upend defense tech
An energy-efficient microchip under development combines different types of processors into one chip and is expected to revolutionize commercial and defense technology, the advanced semiconductor’s inventor says.
Hurricane Isaias moving toward the Bahamas
A powerful storm bearing down on the Bahamas was officially declared a hurricane late Thursday night, after it caused power outage and downpours in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, Fox News reports. The US National Hurricane Center declared Isaias a Category 1 hurricane when it reached maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.
As China, Cuba, Saudis Line Up For UN Human Rights Council Seats, Democrats Want to Rejoin Too
At a time when the Chinese Communist Party is eyeing another three-year term on the U.N. Human Rights Council, a pledge in the Democratic Party’s draft 2020 platform for the U.S. to return to a body plagued by the presence of rights-abusing regimes is drawing some criticism.
US is ‘Satan,’ Israel is its ‘Chained Dog,’ But Twitter Gives Ayatollah’s Tweets a Pass
Iran’s supreme leader, in a tweet Wednesday that was not flagged, restricted, or blocked by Twitter, called the United States “Satan” and labeled Israel America’s “chained dog,” drawing fresh attention to questions about the platform’s content policies.
Space Force on alert: Behind Russia’s mysterious testing of deadly anti-satellite weapons in orbit
Last week, the head of the U.S.’s newest military branch, the Space Force, cautioned publicly for the first time that Moscow had undertaken at least two concerning anti-satellite weapon tests in recent months, in a potential bid to develop on-orbit efficiency that could dangerously hinder the U.S.’s heavy dependency on space-based systems.
Iran fires ballistic missiles from underground for 1st time, during major drill
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard launched underground ballistic missiles for the first time, as part of an exercise involving a mock-up aircraft carrier in the Strait of Hormuz, state television reported Wednesday.
Russia and China in Talks About Building a Joint Moon Research Base
Looking to strengthen its space cooperation with China amid heightened geopolitical tensions with the United States, Russia is in talks with Beijing about the possibility of building a joint lunar research base.
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.
Saudi Arabia Proposes Political Resolution to Yemeni Government, But No Deal to End Standoff
Saudi Arabia has presented a resolution to implement the stalled Riyadh agreement, the Saudi state news agency said in a statement, but there was no announcement of a deal to end a standoff between nominal allies under a Saudi-led coalition.
Google is working on “smart tattoo” for the human body
Tech giant Google has announced it is developing a smart tattoo that will turn the human body into a touchpad through embedded sensors. The “SkinMarks” project seeks to create the next generation of wearable technological devices, Google reported Monday. The project is partly funded by Google Faculty Research Awards.
China Shuts Down US Consulate in Retaliatory Move
Chinese officials entered and took control of the U.S. Consulate in the city of Chengdu early on Monday, 72 hours after ordering its closure in retaliation for the U.S. decision to shut China’s consulate in Houston. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called the mission in Houston a “hub of spying and intellectual property theft.”
New poll shows global lack of confidence in government handling of COVID-19
A new survey has shown that citizens around the world are losing confidence in their governments over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Yahoo News reports. Publishing their report on Saturday, Kekst CNC communications consultancy said: “In most countries this month, support for national governments is falling.” The survey came as officials reported over 280,000 daily new cases worldwide on both Thursday and Friday.
Ukraine, Pro-Russian Rebels Launch Tense Ceasefire
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists began a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on Monday as part of efforts to end their six-year conflict.
Iran moves mock US aircraft carrier to sea as tensions ratchet up
Iran has moved a mock aircraft carrier to the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the US, satellite photographs released Monday show, likely signaling the Islamic Republic soon plans to use it for live-fire drills.
German Court Sentences Ex-Camp Guard Over Mass Murder
A German court has convicted a 93-year-old former Nazi SS concentration camp guard for complicity in the murder of thousands of prisoners. Bruno Dey was among the last World War Two-era Nazi suspects to face trial in Germany.
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.