Europe

Ukraine in NATO ‘very negative’ for European security: Kremlin

MOSCOW, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – The Kremlin said Monday that Ukraine’s NATO membership would have “very negative” consequences for European security, ahead of the alliance’s summit in Lithuania this week. “Ukraine’s membership in NATO would have very, very negative consequences for the entire security architecture in Europe, which is already half destroyed,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He added that Kyiv’s membership in the Western military bloc would represent “an absolute danger and a […]

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Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Wagner chief in Moscow after failed mutiny: Kremlin

MOSCOW, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – The Kremlin said Monday that President Vladimir Putin had met with Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 29 in the Kremlin, days after the mercenary group attempted to topple Russia’s military leadership. “The president gave his assessment of the events of June 24,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, referring to the failed insurrection, adding that Putin also “listened to accounts given by (Wagner) commanders”. Just over two weeks after […]

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Swiss sweltered in 2022 with hottest year on record

GENEVA, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – Switzerland said Monday it experienced its hottest year on record in 2022, with its cherished Alpine glaciers melting at three times the rate previously considered extreme. The record heat had a negative effect on the landlocked European nation’s lakes, rivers, forests and agriculture, the environment ministry said in its climate overview for the year. “For Switzerland, 2022 was the hottest year in history,” it said in a statement. “The […]

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Spain sweats as temperatures soar in new summer heatwave

MADRID, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – Temperatures were soaring across Spain on Monday with the mercury set to touch 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) in the south as the country braced for its second heatwave in a fortnight. The AEMET weather agency said the heat was caused by a mass of hot air arriving from North Africa, indicating it would last until at least Wednesday, with the southern Andalusia region expected to be worst hit. […]

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Xi says Russia and China should ‘lead global governance reform’

BEIJING, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – China and Russia need to “lead the correct direction of global governance reform”, according to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who hailed the two countries’ partnership at a meeting with a top Russian politician in Beijing on Monday, state media reported. Beijing and Moscow have ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts in recent years, with exchanges only growing closer since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. On Monday, Xi […]

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Mass fish deaths haunt river on Polish-German border

BRIESKOW-FINKENHEERD, Germany, July 8, 2023 (AFP) – Fisherman Henry Schneider stopped work for several months after a toxic algae bloom hit the Oder river last August, decimating his catch. Schneider, 43, whose family has made its living from the river for over a century, finally took up his activities again in May. But fears of a repeat are growing, as global warming adds to the toxic mix of pollution putting the delicate ecosystem under pressure. […]

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Fresh protests against police violence planned in France

CERGY-PONTOISE, France, July 8, 2023 (AFP) – Dozens of marches against police violence in France have been announced for Saturday after authorities banned a memorial rally, fearful of reigniting the recent unrest that engulfed the country. Seven years after Adama Traore, a young black man, died in police custody, his sister had planned to lead a commemorative march north of Paris in Persan and Beaumont-sur-Oise. However, with tensions still high following the police killing of […]

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Dutch government collapses over bitter migration row

THE HAGUE, July 8, 2023 (AFP) – Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s coalition government collapsed Friday over “insurmountable” differences on how to tackle migration, with elections expected in November. Rutte, 56, the Netherlands’ longest-serving leader and one of Europe’s most experienced politicians, said days of crisis talks between the four parties failed to produce a deal. They fell out over Rutte’s plans to tighten curbs on reuniting families of asylum seekers, a bid to curb […]

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US to send cluster bombs to Ukraine, drawing criticism

WASHINGTON, July 7, 2023 (AFP) – The United States announced Friday it will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for the first time as Kyiv’s forces face tough fighting in their counteroffensive against invading Russian troops. The move drew sharp criticism from rights groups due to the danger unexploded bomblets pose, but Washington said it has received assurances from Kyiv that it would minimize risk to civilians, including by not using the munitions in populated areas. […]

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Zelensky meeting Turkey’s Erdogan to push Ukraine NATO goals

ISTANBUL, Turkey (AFP) — President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on the latest leg of a tour to push Ukraine’s bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies. The talks in Istanbul come on the eve of the 500th day since Russia’s invasion, with Zelensky admitting a long-anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive was progressing slowly. “But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians,” Zelensky […]

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Strongest summer storm’ batters Netherlands

THE HAGUE, July 5, 2023 (AFP) – Hundreds of flights were cancelled at one of Europe’s busiest air hubs and roads were blocked on Wednesday as the strongest summer storm on record slammed into the Netherlands. Howling winds of up to 146 kmh (90 mph) battered the country as Storm Poly crashed into the North Sea coast, downing trees and prompting Dutch authorities to warn people to stay at home. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport said a […]

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UN warns world to prepare for El Nino impact

GENEVA, July 4, 2023 (AFP) – The United Nations on Tuesday warned the world to prepare for the effects of El Nino, saying the weather phenomenon which triggers higher global temperatures is set to persist throughout 2023. El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern typically associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere. The phenomenon occurs on average every two to seven years, […]

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