“Europe could die”: Macron urges stronger defences, economic reforms
Paris, France Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday for stronger, more integrated European defences as he outlined his vision for a more assertive European Union on the global stage. In a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, he also said the continent must not become a vassal of the United States. “There […]
Eurovision Song Contest host Sweden braces for anti-Israel protests
Malmo, Sweden Reuters Sweden said it plans to host a dazzling Eurovision Song Contest, watched by 200 million people worldwide, but visitors face heightened security amid planned protests over Israel’s participation and a new geo-political backdrop since Sweden joined NATO. The contest, the world’s biggest of its kind, takes place in Malmo from 7th to […]
Kyiv issues restrictions on passports for military-age men
Reuters The Ukrainian Government, further tightening regulations as it seeks to address a shortage of troops, approved rules temporarily barring military-age men from applying for passports abroad. The provisions, and a subsequent clarification from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, were announced on Wednesday, a day after Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba suspended consular services for males aged 18 […]
Civilian recruitment: Ukraine launches military charm offensive as conscription flags
DAN PELESCHUK, of Reuters, reports on the civilian recruitment push taking place in Ukraine…
Russia, US clash at UN over nuclear weapons in space
United Nations Reuters Russia on Wednesday vetoed a US-drafted United Nations Security Council resolution that called on countries to prevent an arms race in outer space, a move that prompted the United States to question if Moscow was hiding something. The vote came after Washington accused Moscow of developing a anti-satellite nuclear weapon to put […]
A Russian Orthodox priest who took part in services for Navalny is suspended by the Patriarch
AP The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Chuch has suspended a priest who participated in services for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Dmitry Safronov took part in Navalny’s funeral as well as presiding at the commemoration on 26th March, the 40th day after his death – an important Russian Orthodox tradition. A woman touches a […]
StrangeSights: Seagull screeching champions; playing chess for 60 hours; and Russians give toads a helping hand…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Essay: Sudan’s civil war stretches into a second year with no end in sight
In an article first published on the Conversation, JAN POSPISIL, an associate professor at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University in the UK, looks at the two-year-old conflict in Sudan and the challenges facing a peaceful resolution…
Russian drone attack injures nine in Ukraine’s Odesa, officials say
Reuters Russia launched a drone attack on Ukraine that injured nine people in the Black Sea port of Odesa, four of them children, and also targeted Kyiv, the capital, Ukraine’s military officials said early on Tuesday. The injured children, which include two infants, have been hospitalised, as well as three of the injured adults, the […]
Russians in flooded regions complain of slow compensation
London, UK Reuters Russians living in flood-hit areas have taken to social media to complain that local officials are doing too little to compensate them for lost property nearly three weeks after many fled their homes. Russia’s Urals region and northern Kazakhstan are suffering the worst flooding in living memory, as fast-melting snow and heavy […]