Europe Moving Towards Digital Euro Raising Prophetic Concerns
The European Central Bank (ECB) says it moves towards issuing a digital version of the euro currency that critics fear could replace banknotes.
World News
Armenia Ready To Discuss Ceasefire As Conflict Escalates
Armenia says it is ready to discuss a ceasefire in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, where heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in recent days has killed dozens and left scores wounded. The announcement comes amid international calls to end the most significant escalation in years.
UK, EU chiefs to discus Brexit, free trade talks Saturday
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to speak to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to “take stock” of negotiations on a post-Brexit free trade deal and to “discuss next steps,” a British government spokesman said.
President of Armenia says Caucasus region may become “another Syria”
The Armenian President warned the international community Wednesday that Caucasus, a region disputed by former Soviet republics Armenia and Azerbaijan, may become “another Syria,” CNBC reported Wednesday. President Armen Sarkissian gave the warning after fighting broke between Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus on Sunday.
Russia, France and the U.S. call for an immediate cease-fire in Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes
Russia, France, and the U.S. on Thursday issued calls for an immediate cease-fire between Armenia and Azerbaijan as clashes between the two rivals sparked recently over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh killing dozens of people and threatening to drag nearby Turkey and Russia into a direct military confrontation.
EU threatens Britain with legal action over bill to override Brexit deal
The European Union said Thursday it will take legal action against the British government for violating the terms of their Brexit agreement.
The U.S. and China could slip into a ‘new cold war’ that pushes countries to pick sides
The U.S. and China have “diametrically opposed values” and will eventually slip into a “new cold war” in the coming decades, said a China analyst from Fitch Solutions.
EU consider deployment of military observers to Libya if a ceasefire holds
The European Union is considering the possible high-risk deployment of EU military observers to Libya in the event a ceasefire holds in the war-torn North African country, Politico reports. Libya has been the scene of a years-long civil war between Tripoli’s UN-backed Government of National Accord headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, and rebel General Khalifa Haftar, leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Asia is the world’s worst region for mass surveillance privacy violations
According to a new Right-to-Privacy Index (RPI), Asia has become the world’s worst region for mass surveillance privacy violations, the Thomson Reuters Foundation reports. Published by British-based risk consultancy Verisk Maplecroft, the RPI cites Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, India and the Philippines as among the worst offenders.
EU Rejects Hungary’s Call For Ouster Of Rule-Of-Law Official
The European Union’s executive has rejected a demand by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to dismiss its top rule of law official for comments about Hungary’s ‘ailing democracy.’
IAEA Inspects Second Suspected Nuclear Site In Iran
The UN’s nuclear watchdog says it has gained access to a second site in Iran where nuclear activities are suspected to have taken place in the past, as agreed with Tehran last month.
US Secretary of State talks to Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister about Israeli peace agreements with Arab states
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke on the phone with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisalbin Farhan Sunday, discussing the Abraham peace accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, Israel National News reports. Following the signing of the Abraham Accords on September 15, President Donald Trump said he expected Saudi Arabia to also normalize ties with Israel “when the time comes.”
Flooding in South Sudan: 700,000 people in hunger and livelihood crisis
Unprecedented flooding in South Sudan has devastated the lives of around 700,000 people, causing a hunger crisis amid the destruction of jobs and harvests, VOA News reports. The World Food Program (WFP) has sounded the alarm about a disaster that is exacerbated by ongoing violence and the COVID-19 economic crisis in the country. WFP is calling for $58 million for the next six months to rebuild South Sudanese infrastructure and to support those in need.
WHO announces nearly $1 billion to fight COVID-19
The World Health Organization announced nearly $1 billion in new pledges on Wednesday for the effort to battle the coronavirus pandemic and make sure that poor countries get treatments and vaccines against COVID-19.
Netanyahu warns Iran will soon have enough enriched uranium for two nuclear weapons during UN address
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the United Nations General Assembly that Iran will have enough nuclear material to produce two bombs in just a matter of months.
World Mourns 1 Million Coronavirus Deaths
Authorities say the world’s coronavirus death toll crosses one million, causing grief worldwide.
U.S. Might Close Embassy Unless Iraq Prevents Iran Militia Attacks
The Trump administration may close its embassy in Iraq if the government does not take steps to protect it from attacks by Iranian-backed militants.
Concerns over Christian Refugees in Hungary where U.S. Broadcaster Returns
There is mounting concern about the plight of persecuted Christian refugees in Hungary despite government pledges to help them.
Russia Sends Troops to Belarus, Challenging NATO
Russian troops deployed to Belarus for military exercises last week have not yet left, potentially challenging the security of NATO countries in the Baltic region.
Saudi Arabia says it disbanded terror cell trained by Iran
Saudi Arabia on Monday said it broke up a terrorist cell that had received training from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, arresting 10 people and seizing weapons and explosives.