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.
European Union
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.
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.
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.
Europe’s Leading Economies Seek Ukraine’s EU Membership
The leaders of the European Union’s three largest economies, Germany, France, and Italy, pledged Thursday to back Ukraine’s “immediate” candidacy to join the 27-member nation European Union.
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.
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.
Ukraine Fearful As Russia Pushes For Victory In East
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned late Monday that the battle for Ukraine’s eastern Donbas would go down as one of the most brutal in European history as Russian forces pushed for victory in the region.
Russia’s UN Envoy Clashes With EU Over Food
Russia’s United Nations ambassador angrily left a U.N. Security Council meeting as a European Union president blamed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for worldwide food shortages.
Russian Foreign Minister Banned From Europe Airspace
Russia’s foreign minister said late Monday he had invited his Serbian counterpart to Moscow after three eastern European countries blocked his plane from traveling to Serbia.
EU Cancels Sanctions Against Russian Patriarch
The European Union canceled plans to impose sanctions against Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill after Hungary threatened to veto the bloc’s latest round of measures against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
Russia Warns It Could Strike US Over Rockets Deliveries To Ukraine
Moscow warned Wednesday that Washington’s decision to supply advanced rocket systems and munitions to Ukraine could lead to a direct military confrontation between Russia and the United States.
Eurozone hits 8.1% inflation as energy costs soar
Eurozone inflation hit a record 8.1% in May as energy and food costs surged partially due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
EU Agrees To Block Most But Not All Russian Oil
European Union leaders say they will block most Russian oil imports by the end of 2022 to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine. But the EU embargo will only affect oil that arrives by sea following opposition from Hungary.
European Union agrees to ban most Russian oil imports
European Union President Charles Michel announced Monday that the EU will implement a partial ban on Russian oil, more than three months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine.