Belarus Detains Journalist After Forcing Plane To Land
European leaders have condemned Belarusian authorities after a passenger plane traveling between two European capitals was forced to land, and a prominent opposition journalist was detained.
Greece
Israel, Greece sign biggest ever defense deal
Israel and Greece have signed their biggest-ever defense procurement deal, which Israel said on Sunday would strengthen political and economic ties between the countries.
EU plans ‘green certificate’ to allow vaccinated travelers free access to European bloc
The European Union has confirmed its plans to issue ‘digital green certificates’ to vaccinated members of its 450 million population, allowing them to travel freely across the bloc this summer, the UK’s Daily Mail reports. The new ‘passport’ would be issued to those who have been recently tested or who have recovered from the virus as well.
Erdogan confidant calls for ‘re-normalized’ ties with Israel
A close associated of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Admiral Cihat Yayci, said in an interview Wednesday to the Turkish Jewish newspaper Şalom that “it is in the interests of both Turkey and Israel to re-normalize relations.”
EU mulls vaccination passports to resurrect tourism after COVID-19
European Union leaders will agree on Thursday to work on certificates of vaccination for EU citizens who have had an anti-COVID shot, with southern EU countries that depend heavily on tourism desperate to rescue this summer’s holiday season.
Humanist group demands Maryland city council officials stop Christian prayer before meetings
The American Humanist Association (AHA) has threatened court action unless city council officials in Aberdeen, Maryland stop opening meetings with Christian prayer, the Christian Post reports.
France Frees Initial Suspect In Shooting of Priest
Church members prayed Sunday after police in the French city of Lyon released an initial suspect in the shooting of a Greek Orthodox priest.
7-magnitude earthquake rocks Turkey, Greece
A 7-magnitude earthquake in the Aegean Sea on Friday rocked Turkey and Greece, killing at least eight, injuring 200 and prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning.
Mother, Children, Rescued In Rubble Of Greek-Turkey Earthquake
A mother and three of her children were pulled out of a building’s rubble in the western Turkish city of Izmir some 23 hours after a powerful earthquake in the Aegean Sea killed dozens of people.
Europe Struggles To Contain Coronavirus Infections
European governments are battling to contain a massive wave of new coronavirus infections. In the most dramatic move so far this season, the French government is imposing a curfew on two-thirds of the country, after strict measures in other nations, including Eastern Europe.
Dutch King Apologizes For Greece Holiday Despite Pandemic
Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologized Wednesday for going on holiday to Greece while his nation was in a half-lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dutch Premier Regrets King’s Greece Holiday Amid COVID-19 Outcry
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he was wrong in allowing the royal family to vacation in Greece while discouraging “unnecessary travel” for others due to the coronavirus pandemic.
US reportedly in talks about moving its military base out of Turkey and into either Greece or the UAE
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has had talks with Greek Prime Minister Kyrias Mitsotakis about possibly transferring its highly strategic US airbase from Turkey to Greece, DEBKAfile sources have revealed. The US is also reportedly in talks with Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates about moving the Turkish base to the Gulf state.
Israel joins new regional forum in hope of selling gas to Europe
Against a backdrop of rapidly changing geopolitics in the Middle East, Israel on Tuesday joined Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and the Palestinian Authority to sign the statute of the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), formally establishing the brainchild of Israel and Egypt as a regional intergovernmental organization, based in Cairo.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.
Pompeo urges diplomacy in standoff over Mediterranean gas
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday called for a diplomatic solution to the confrontation between Greece and Turkey over energy reserves in east Mediterranean waters, saying ongoing military tensions between two NATO allies only serve the alliance’s foes.
Europe Struggling To Halt Coronavirus Surge
The Netherlands is among several European nations stepping up measures to halt a new rise in coronavirus infections.
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.
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.