Iran, EU Reject U.S. Plan To Trigger ‘Snapback’ Of Sanctions
Iran and the European Union have rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to trigger a “snapback” of sanctions on Iran at the United Nations under a provision of the Iran nuclear deal.
Europe
U.S. Seizes Tankers Loaded With Iranian Fuel Bound For Venezuela
The United States has seized four tankers en route from Iran to Venezuela in what the Justice Department says is the government’s largest-ever seizure of fuel shipments from Iran.
Thousands Detained As Tensions Escalate In Belarus
Authorities in Belarus acknowledged Wednesday that they detained as many as 6,000 anti-government protestors who disputed the victory of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sunday’s election. Clashes continued for a third straight night with police violence reported in the capital Minsk and other cities after main opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya fled the troubled nation.
Belarus Opposition Leader Flees To Lithuania Amid Crackdown
The primary political opponent of the longtime president of Belarus has reportedly fled the nation amid a massive police crackdown on protests. Lithuania says it provides shelter to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who earlier brought her young children outside the country. Tuesday’s announcement came after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner in Sunday’s presidential poll despite mounting opposition against his rule.
Britain Increasing Border Security As Migrants Cross Channel In Risky Boats; Europe Concerned
Britain’s government pledged Friday to strengthen border security, as a daily record number of people crossed the English Channel to the U.K. in small boats. The measures that reportedly could involve the Royal Navy, come amid broader concerns in Europe about a rising number of migrants re-emerging following lengthy coronavirus lockdowns.
Belarus President “Wins” Bloodstained Ballot
Election officials in Belarus say the county’s longtime President Alexander Lukashenko has won his sixth consecutive term, taking over 80 percent of the vote. Monday’s announcement followed a night of riots in which dozens of people were injured, and possibly one person was killed amid mounting anger over his perceived autocratic style.
Europe Struggling To Halt Coronavirus Surge
The Netherlands is among several European nations stepping up measures to halt a new rise in coronavirus infections.
Turkey has begun forcing foreign Christians to leave
Foreign Christians are being told to leave Turkey and others have been barred from re-entering the country, Morning Star News reported Sunday. Rights advocates have said the Turkish government seems to be purposefully aiming such actions against Protestant Christians.
Europeans Struggling With Heatwave and Coronavirus Lockdowns
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Europeans are crowding beaches and other areas amid a massive heatwave. That has added to deaths at sea, including in the Netherlands.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Europe On Edge Amid Rise Of Coronavirus Infections
Spain and several other European nations are taking new measures to halt an increase in reported coronavirus cases. The decisions come amid fresh warnings by authorities of a widespread “second wave” of infections.
German States Ask Congress Not to Remove U.S. Troops
The leaders of four German states wrote to Congress asking for a halt to Washington’s troop withdrawal plan from the country, Reuters reported Sunday.
EU Agrees On Coronavirus Fund After Disputes
Leaders of the European Union have agreed on an unprecedented 1.82 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) budget and coronavirus recovery fund after tense negotiations that included table banging and meeting walkouts.
EU Leaders Continue Corona Talks Amid Abuse and Table Banging
Leaders of the 27 European Union nations are trying to agree on a massive EU coronavirus recovery fund and a budget amid reports of quarrels. As talks entered their fourth day, there was some hope of a breakthrough. However, the European Union delegates appeared weary and even bleary as they began another round of fighting over an unprecedented 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget.
Israel approves next phase of massive gas pipeline to Europe
The government on Sunday approved the advancement of the Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline project, a massive 6 million Euros ($7 billion) venture that will carry gas from Israel’s offshore oil fields to Europe, the news website The Marker reported.
Erdogan Defies the West to Make Turkey a Regional Power
When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reopens Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia for prayers next week, it will be the crowning symbol of his mission to reassert Turkey’s role as a Muslim power on the global stage. Yet Turkey’s rarely seemed more alone.
US, India Discuss ‘Possibility’ of Free Trade Pact
The U.S. and India discussed the “possibility” of a free trade pact, India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement Thursday, just days after India began free trade agreement talks with the European Union.