The republic of Georgia – which was part of the Soviet Union until independence in 1991 – is preparing for a crucial election on October 26th, which is widely seen as a choice between a future aligned with the West or Russia. Western powers accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of a backsliding of democracy. …
Read more “Georgia’s leaders stoke fears of Russian war ahead of pivotal election”
WASHINGTON — Russia, China and Iran are increasingly relying on criminal networks to lead cyberespionage and hacking operations against adversaries such as the United States, according to a report on digital threats published Tuesday by Microsoft. The growing collaboration between authoritarian governments and criminal hackers has alarmed national security officials and cybersecurity experts. They say it …
Read more “Microsoft: Cybercriminals increasingly help Russia, China, Iran target US, allies”
Warsaw, — Detected irregular crossings into the European Union fell 42% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, EU border agency Frontex said on Tuesday. Frontex released its latest statistics shortly before a summit of the bloc’s leaders in Brussels later this week, where immigration is among topics high …
Read more “Frontex: Irregular EU border crossings fell 42% this year”
BRUSSELS — EU energy ministers met in Luxembourg on Tuesday to discuss the bloc’s rising Russian liquified natural gas imports, Ukraine’s energy shortages ahead of winter and how to balance energy prices across member states, officials said. The EU agreed on a 14th package of sanctions in June including a ban on transshipments of Russian gas …
Read more “EU energy ministers discuss Ukraine energy crisis, Russian LNG “
Russia and China held “substantive” defense and military talks to bolster ties, Russia’s defense minister said on Tuesday, as Moscow and Beijing cement a “no limits” partnership and step up criticism of U.S. efforts to extend its influence in Asia. “The military departments of Russia and China are united in their assessments of global processes, …
Read more “Russia, China bolster defense ties at ‘substantive’ talks “
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran condemned new EU and British sanctions on Tehran and denied providing ballistic missiles to Russia, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Esmaeil Baghaei, said in a post on X on Tuesday. The European Union agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on seven people and seven organizations, including airline Iran Air, for …
Read more “Iran condemns EU, UK sanctions on Tehran, denies providing ballistic missiles to Russia”
Officials in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region said Tuesday a Russian missile attack killed at least one person and injured 16 others. Mykolaiv Governor Vitaliy Kim said on Telegram the attack damaged an infrastructure facility, restaurant and shopping areas, as well as residential buildings. Ukraine’s military said Tuesday that Russia’s overnight attacks included nine missiles and 17 …
london — Britain’s aviation regulator said Tuesday that it would allow drones to inspect infrastructure such as power lines and wind turbines, a move the authority has described as a significant milestone. The U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had said earlier this year that it wanted to permit more drone flying for such activities as well …
Read more “Britain to allow drones to inspect power lines, wind turbines”
TALLINN, Estonia — The last time any of Maria Kolesnikova’s family had contact with the imprisoned Belarusian opposition activist was more than 18 months ago. Fellow inmates at the penal colony reported hearing her plead for medical help from inside her tiny, smelly cell. Her father, Alexander Kolesnikov, told The Associated Press by phone from Minsk …
Read more “Ailing and silenced in prison, Belarus activist symbolizes the nation’s repression”
Copenhagen, Denmark — Pollution, habitat degradation, climate change and overuse of freshwater resources are putting a strain on Europe, with only a third of its surface water in good health, the European Environment Agency warned Tuesday. “The health of Europe’s waters is not good. Our waters face an unprecedented set of challenges that threatens Europe’s water …
Read more “Europe’s water security under threat, environment agency warns “
Paris — The Auto manufacturers competing to persuade drivers to go electric are rolling out cheaper, more tech-rich models at the Paris Motor Show, targeting everyone from luxury clients to students yet to receive their driving licenses. The biennial show has long been a major industry showcase, tracing its history to 1898. Chinese manufacturers are attending …
Read more “Paris Motor Show opens during brewing EV trade war between EU, China”
berlin — Increased acts of espionage and sabotage, possible direct military confrontation with NATO as early as 2030: German secret services sounded the alarm Monday about the growing danger they believe Moscow’s interference in Germany and Europe represents. It was a bleak picture that the three heads of the German intelligence services painted Monday during their …
Read more “German secret services alarmed by Russian threat”
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina — The death toll from this month’s devastating floods and landslides in Bosnia has reached 26 people, while rescue teams are searching for at least one more person still missing 10 days after a rainstorm caused havoc in the Balkan country, authorities said Monday. Torrential rains and winds hit four municipalities in central and …
ROME — Italy is transferring the first group of migrants to Albania, the Interior Ministry said Monday, as part of a contentious plan to process thousands of asylum-seekers outside its borders. A naval ship departed from the island of Lampedusa with 16 men — 10 from Bangladesh and six from Egypt — who were rescued at …
Read more “Italy sends 1st migrant ship to Albania, rights groups warn of ‘dangerous precedent’”
BRUSSELS — The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions on Iran’s deputy defense minister, senior members of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and three airlines over allegations that they supplied drones, missiles and other equipment to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine. Deputy Defense Minister Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari is one of seven senior officials now …
Read more “EU targets Iran officials, airlines for supplying drones, missiles to Russia “
Moscow — A Russian court on Monday convicted a French citizen of collecting military information and sentenced him to three years in prison. Laurent Vinatier, who was arrested in Moscow in June, earlier admitted guilt, setting the stage for a fast-tracked trial. His lawyers’ asked the court to sentence him to a fine. In his remarks …
Warsaw — Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday defended a plan to temporarily suspend the right to asylum as human rights and civil society organizations express concerns about the move. Poland has struggled since 2021 with migration pressures on its border with Belarus — which is also part of the European Union’s external border. “It …
Read more “Polish leader Tusk defends decision to suspend asylum law”
Syrian rebels are facing a new threat: suicide drones. Rebels say the Syrian government and Russian forces have hit military and civilian targets with tactics developed largely by Russia in its war on Ukraine. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul with Moawia Atrash in Idlib, Syria. Camera: Moawia Atrash, Ahmad Fallaha …
London — A British woman who died after being exposed to the Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok was unwittingly caught up in an “illegal and outrageous international assassination attempt,” a public inquiry was told on Monday. Dawn Sturgess, a 44-year-old mother of three children, died in July 2018 after spraying herself with what she thought was perfume …
Read more “‘Innocent’ British nerve agent victim caught in global murder plot, inquiry finds”
Geneva — The head of the U.N. refugee agency warned on Monday that displacement crises in Lebanon and Sudan could worsen, but said tighter border measures were not the solution, calling them ineffective and sometimes unlawful. Addressing more than 100 diplomats and ministers in Geneva at UNHCR’s annual meeting, Filippo Grandi said an unprecedented 123 million …
Read more “UN refugee chief urges states to drop border controls even as displacement crises worse”
Chisinau, Moldova — For many Moldovans, President Maia Sandu has become a symbol of change as she seeks to chart a new pro-European path for the former Soviet Republic. Since Moscow invaded Moldova’s neighbor Ukraine, Sandu has lobbied for the West to support her country and hear its concerns that it could be the Kremlin’s next …
Read more “Pro-European President Maia Sandu: a force for change in Moldova “
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Stockholm — Sweden wants the European Union to classify Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization after several attacks on Israeli targets in Sweden that Stockholm blames on Iran, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Sunday. The Scandinavian country’s intelligence agency, Sapo, has accused Iran of recruiting members of Swedish criminal gangs to commit “acts of …
Read more “Sweden wants EU to classify Revolutionary Guards as terrorist organization”
VILNIUS/PANEVEZYS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s center-left opposition Social Democrats (SD) will attempt to form a majority coalition government together with two other parties following the country’s parliamentary election, its leader said Sunday. Early results showed SD ahead in the election, which was dominated by concerns over living costs and potential threats from neighboring Russia. “I think it …
Read more “Lithuania’s center-left opposition says it will try to form government”
