Inflation hits record 8.6% for 19 countries using the euro
Inflation in countries using the euro set another eye-watering record, pushed higher by a huge increase in energy costs fueled partly by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Euro
U.S. to boost military presence in Europe for Russia threat
President Joe Biden said Wednesday that the U.S. will significantly increase its military presence in Europe for the long haul, including by establishing its first permanent presence in Poland, to bolster regional security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia Facing Expanded NATO As Finland, Sweden Join (Worthy News Analysis)
Russian President Vladimir Putin woke up Wednesday with a nearly expanded NATO at Russia’s borders after Turkey lifted its objections for Finland and Sweden to join the defense bloc.
Burkina Faso: Jihadists murder over 100 Christians; UN/EU condemn attack
Jihadist militants believed to be members of Islamic State or al-Qaeda murdered over 100 people in northern Burkina Faso on Saturday, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The United Nations and European Union have condemned the attack and have called for an investigation.
Iran nuclear talks with US to resume soon, Tehran and EU say
Iran’s indirect talks with the United States on reviving the 2015 nuclear pact will resume soon, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian told a joint news conference with the EU’s foreign policy chief in Tehran.
US, G7 Ban Russian Gold Despite Sanctions Fatigue
U.S. President Joe Biden says the United States and other Group of Seven (G7) countries will ban imports of gold from Russia to undercut its financing of Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Fuel Restrictions In Hungary Over Price Cap Worries
Fuel restrictions were introduced in Hungary Friday as concerns mounted over an impending energy crisis linked to a government price cap, executives said.
Russia Threatening Dollar With Alternative Global Currency
Russia says it wants to develop a new global reserve currency with China and “other BRICS nations,” in a significant challenge to the dominance of the U.S. dollar.
‘Ukraine Troops To Withdraw From Strategic City’
Ukraine’s outgunned troops began withdrawing Friday from Severodonetsk, the embattled eastern city that is a focus of Russia’s war effort, a local leader said. Moscow shelled the city heavily and continuously for four months, regional governor Serhiy Haidai confirmed Friday.
Italy experiences worst drought in 70 years
Italy is going through its worst drought since 1952, with record low levels of water in the vast Po river which crosses the country as a vital source of water for several regions, Euronews reports.
Christian massacres in Nigeria a top topic at global religious freedom summit
Protecting religious liberty around the world has become more challenging in the last year, advocates said this week ahead of Tuesday’s convening of the second International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington.
Egypt, Lebanon and Syria sign gas import agreement
Lebanon, Syria and Egypt signed an agreement on Tuesday to transfer 650 million cubic meters of gas per year from Egypt to Lebanon through Syria.
Ukraine bans primary opposition party, seizing all its assets and money
Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice has announced an official ban on the country’s main opposition party and seized all its assets.
Hungary Blocks Biden’s Global Tax Plan In European Union
Hungary has blocked the introduction of U.S. President Joe Biden’s proposed global minimum corporate of 15 percent in the European Union. The EU member state says the Biden tax would undermine its competitive edge in the region as Hungary has the bloc’s lowest corporate tax rate of just 9 percent.
Dutch PM Apologizes To Troops Over Srebrenica Massacre
The prime minister of the Netherlands has apologized to soldiers who were sent as United Nations peacekeepers to defend the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica with what he believes was insufficient firepower and manpower to keep the peace. Mark Rutte made the remarks 27 years after thousands of Muslim men and boys were killed in Europe’s worst single atrocity since World War Two, a tragedy condemned by the Vatican.
Ukraine President Visits Injured As Russia Captures More Territory
Ukraine’s war-time President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited his nation’s southern city of Mykolaiv as concerns rise that his forces may suffer from fatigue while they lose territories due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
Report: ‘Iceland World’s Most Peaceful Nation’
Iceland is the most peaceful country in the world, followed by New Zealand and Ireland, according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI).
In landmark deal signed in Cairo, Israel to export natural gas, via Egypt, to Europe
Israel, Egypt and the European Union signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday in Cairo that will see Israel export its natural gas to the bloc for the first time.
Putin humiliated as Israel turns on ‘ally’ Russia to strike major energy deal with EU
The EU and Israel are set to sign a natural gas export deal today that will help to decrease Europe’s reliance on Russia. The bloc is heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas exports, relying on Moscow for about 40 percent of its energy imports in 2021. According to Israel’s Energy Ministry, a deal with the EU will for the first time allow “significant” exports of Israeli gas to Europe.
China Using COVID Surveillance For Crackdown On Dissent
Chinese authorities are using the country’s massive COVID surveillance infrastructure to prevent a protest against the freezing of bank accounts as part of a broader crackdown, depositors say.