German economy plunges by record 9.7%
The German economy, Europe’s largest, contracted by a record 9.7% in the second quarter as consumer spending, company investments and exports saw a steep decline due to the coronavirus pandemic.
World News
China test-fires ‘carrier-killer’ missile as U.S. announces new sanctions
China on Wednesday conducted a flight test of an anti-ship ballistic missile into the South China Sea, just as the Trump administration was unveiling new sanctions on Chinese officials over militarization in the disputed waterway.
North, South Korea Brace for Strong Typhoon, Flights Halted
Hundreds of flights were canceled in South Korea while North Korea’s leader expressed concern about a possible loss of lives and crops as the countries braced for a fast-approaching typhoon forecast as one of the strongest to hit their peninsula this year.
Iraq, Jordan, Egypt Discuss Closer Ties
It was a highly touted summit, with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustapha Kadhimi reaching out to potential allies Egypt and Jordan in what appeared to be a bid to loosen Iran’s grip on Iraqi politics. Pro-Iranian militias have been accused of interfering in Iraqi government decisions and attacking protesters who oppose them.
US Top Diplomat Pompeo Visits Bahrain, UAE
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he spoke Wednesday with officials in Bahrain about “the importance of Gulf unity and countering Iran’s malign influence in the region.”
Belarus Detains Opposition Leaders After Rally Against President
Authorities in Belarus have detained two leading opposition activists following the most massive rally so far against President Alexander Lukashenko.
UN security council rejects US call for sanctions against Iran
The president of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday rejected the Trump administration’s demand to restore all U.N. sanctions on Iran, a move that drew an angry rebuke from the U.S. ambassador who accused opponents of supporting “terrorists.”
Germany: ‘Russian Dissident Navalny Likely Poisoned’
A prominent German hospital treating Russian dissident and fierce Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says tests indicate that he was poisoned.
Erdogan Converts Another Historic Church into a Mosque
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reconverted another historic Byzantine church into a mosque on Friday just weeks after opening the iconic Hagia Sophia to Muslim worship.
Iran official says sabotage caused fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site
A fire at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility last month was the result of sabotage, the spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation told state TV channel al-Alam on Sunday.
Iran unveils two new missiles as UN fails to extend expiring arms embargo
Iran announced Thursday that is has unveiled two new missiles, each of which has been named after a senior military official killed in US drone strikes this year, Fox News reports. The announcement follows a United Nations Security Council vote in which only the Dominican Republican backed a US request to extend an arms embargo on Iran which expires in October; the embargo will therefore not be extended.
NATO Denies Assembling Troops At Belarus Border
Member states of the NATO military alliance are denying allegations by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that their troops are preparing to invade Belarus. The wrangling came ahead of Sunday’s expected massive protests against the authoritarian head-of-state.
Belarus Detains Key Opposition Leaders As Unrest Spreads
Authorities in Belarus have detained the leader of striking factory workers and several opposition figures for rallying against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko.
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.
’Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Poisoned’
Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been rushed to the intensive care unit of a hospital in Russia’s Siberia region after falling ill from suspected poisoning, his spokeswoman says.
World Bank Chief: COVID May Have Pushed 100M Into Extreme Poverty
The coronavirus pandemic may have driven as many as 100 million people back into extreme poverty, World Bank President David Malpass warned Thursday.
Iran Unveils Two New Missiles Amid U.S. Tensions
Iran has displayed what it described as two new ballistic and cruise missiles, in defiance to U.S. calls that Tehran halt its missile program.
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.
Trump: US to demand ‘snap back’ of UN sanctions against Iran
President Trump said his administration will call for all United Nations sanctions against Iran to be reimposed after the United States failed to extend a U.N. arms embargo.
U.S. ends 3 bilateral agreements with Hong Kong over new law
In a move that is expected to further heighten tensions between Washington and Beijing, the Trump administration on Wednesday suspended or terminated three bilateral agreements with Hong Kong.