Europe

Turkey begins procedure to purchase F-16s from US

Ankara has begun the procedure to Acquire F-16 fighter jets from the United States as compensation for being dropped from F-35 program, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar says. The deal was announced by Turkish President Receb Tayyip Erdogan, but Washington has yet to confirm it.

US, European envoys soon to be expelled from Turkey

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has instructed the foreign ministry to declare ambassadors from 10 countries, including the US, France and Germany, "persona non grata". The envoys had called for the release of a detained Turkish businessman. The move means the diplomats are now just one step from expulsion.

EU halts free trade talks with Australia again

The European Union (EU) has postponed its trade negotiations with Australia for the second time a month. The decision follows anger over Canberra's decision to cancel submarine contract with France.

Survey: Britons wrestling with bills payment

More Britons say it difficult to pay their bills as the impact of rising inflation on the public has deepened, according to a new poll. It also showed an increasing number of people are concerned about not being able to heat their homes in winter.

Russia: NATO sliding into “Cold War schemes”

Russia has warned The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is increasingly resorting to Cold War schemes. Moscow has also ruled out the establishment of normal diplomatic relations with NATO.

China condemns EU over Taiwan ties

China has blasted the European Union (EU) after the bloc’s representatives voted in favor of increasing ties with Taiwan. China regards Taiwan as part of its own territory.

Moscow rejects NATO accusation against expelled Russians

Moscow has announced NATO has no evidence indicating the expelled Russian staffers at the organization had been involved in spying activities.

UK Queen spends night in hospital, no COVID

UK Queen Elizabeth II has spent a night in hospital for “preliminary investigations”, Buckingham Palace has announced. She is released from the medical center. The stay was not related to coronavirus.

France says militant commander killed in Mali

The French military has announced the killing of a commander of a terror group close to Al Qaeda in Mali.

Iran’s General Bagheri visits Astra Khan nefore returning home

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chairman of Iran’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived at Russia’s Astra Khan International Airport Thursday morning after holding intensive talks with high-ranking Russian defense officials in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

UK threat level against MPs at ‘substantial’

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced the threat level that lawmakers face has been raised to “substantial”, which means an attack against them is “likely”. It follows the death of Sir David Amess, Conservative MP who was stabbed to death last week.

Spanish court agrees to extradite Venezuela’s ex-spy chief to US

Spain’s High Court has ordered the extradition of former Venezuelan spy chief Hugo Carvajal to the United States. He is facing drug trafficking charges but denies the allegations.

Iran, Russia Discuss Closer Military Cooperation

A senior Iranian military official says Tehran-Moscow relations will tremendously expand in the near future thanks to the conclusion and implementation of the arms deals signed by both sides.

Putin shuts down Russia citing COVID pandemic

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Wednesday a one-week paid shutdown for workers as coronavirus cases and deaths continue to soar.

EU says focused on removing anti-Iran sanctions

An EU official has said the signatories to the Iran nuclear deal, or JCOA, are focused on effectively lifting the sanctions on Tehran.

FBI search property linked to sanctioned Russian Billionaire

The FBI agents have swarmed a home linked to sanctioned Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska in Washington D.C. with a court order. Deripaska is known as a proxy for Russian government

Russia says NATO should make first step to warm ties

NATO needs to take the first step to improve relations with Moscow, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov believes. The top diplomat has stated Russia has never initiated the deterioration of relations with the alliance or any other country.

Russia rules out recognition of Taliban

Moscow is not considering recognizing the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has reiterated. A meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled on Wednesday in Moscow and will focus on the political and military situation in the war-torn country.

Pentagon chief in Ukraine amid Moscow-Kiev tensions

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Kiev for talks with Ukrainian officials. Pentagon chief has stated Russia cannot block Ukraine's NATO aspirations. Moscow has warned Kiev joining the bloc goes beyond ‘red lines’.

US says Brussel meeting ‘not necessary’ for Iran nuclear talks

Washington does not think negotiations in Belgium are necessary before the resumption of indirect talks with Iran over reviving the nuclear deal in Austria, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Monday. Iran has said it will hold discussions with the European Union (UN) in the coming days on the issues raised in Tehran.

Iran President Calls for Unity in Muslim World

The Iranian president has urged Muslim nations to remain united and refrain from divisions.

Ankara summons 10 envoys over Turkish businessman detention

Ankara has summoned the ambassadors of 10 countries, including the United States, Germany, France and Canada, over a joint statement criticizing Turkey’s compliance with ‘democracy’.

US special envoy to Afghanistan resigns

The Biden administration’s top envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, is leaving his post, the US State Department has confirmed. It comes less than two months after the US messy and deadly withdrawal from the war-torn country.

Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State, dies of Covid

Colin Powell, former US Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, has died from coronavirus complications. He had pushed faulty intelligence before the United Nations (UN) to advocate for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

UK MPs facing ‘out of control’ online hate

The UK Justice Secretary says online hate poses ‘out of control’ threat against the country’s parliamentarians. Dominic Raab’s comments follow the recent stabbing to death of a British lawmaker.

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