Month: August 2020

Autocrats fall when people lose their fear — and that moment can be signaled dramatically by a simple jeer. As it was last week when Europe’s so-called “last dictator,” Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko, was booed during a speech at a Minsk factory by workers who chanted for him to step down.“Until you kill me, there will …

Read more “Can Fatal Moments Seal an Autocrat’s Fate?”

Autocrats fall when people lose their fear — and that moment can be signaled dramatically by a simple jeer. As it was last week when Europe’s so-called “last dictator,” Belarus’ Alexander Lukashenko, was booed during a speech at a Minsk factory by workers who chanted for him to step down.“Until you kill me, there will …

Read more “Will Fatal Moments Seal Autocrat’s Fate?”

The European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, said Friday the latest round of trade talks with Britain was at a stalemate and a deal at this time looks “unlikely.” Speaking at a news conference in Brussels following the conclusion of the seventh round of trade talks, Barnier said the talks bogged down again on …

Read more “EU Negotiator Says Timely Brexit Deal ‘Unlikely’”

Hundreds of people took to the streets of the Polish city of Bialystok on Thursday evening to demonstrate against the regime of President Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.Protesters held a banner reading in Polish: “60 kilometers from here people are fighting for freedom.”Bialystok is a major city near the Polish-Belarusian border.Demonstrators of both Belarusian and Polish …

Read more “Hundreds in Bialystok, Poland Protest Lukashenko”

The German and Israeli air forces conducted their first joint combat exercises in German airspace Thursday, as the cooperation between the two countries increases.Officials from both countries described the joint training as emotional and very special. The German air force called the visit a “historic moment.””This exercise, Blue Wings, is very emotional and we are …

Read more “Germany, Israel Conduct Their First Joint Combat Exercises in German Airspace”

The United States on Thursday defended Belarusian protesters and said it supported international efforts to examine the recent contested election, which gave President Alexander Lukashenko his sixth term in office.“The United States has been inspired by the display of peaceful expression of the Belarusian people seeking to determine their own future,” said Secretary of State …

Read more “Pompeo: US Stands by Belarusian People, Backs International Efforts to Examine Election”

The brother of a suicide bomber who killed 22 people in 2017 at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 55 years before possibility of parole. “Both brothers bore equal culpability,” said Justice Jeremy Baker, announcing FILE – Hashem Abedi, convicted August 20, 2020, of …

Read more “Brother of Manchester Arena Bomber Sentenced to at Least 55 Years”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron met Thursday at the French presidential retreat on the Mediterranean Sea to discuss the post-COVID-19 economy and other pressing issues facing the European Union. Macron and his wife, Brigitte, greeted Merkel on the grounds of Fort De Bregancon, on the French Riveria — France’s southeastern coast on the …

Read more “French, German Leaders Meet to Discuss EU Economy, Other Issues “

The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Europe office said it has begun discussions with Russia regarding the COVID-19 vaccine that the nation approved last week without the advanced trials normally required to prove a vaccine works.In a virtual news conference from the organization’s Copenhagen office, the WHO Europe’s senior emergency official Catherine Smallwood said there have …

Read more “WHO Begins Discussions on Russia Vaccine”

As protesters continue to take to the streets in Belarus following a disputed August 9 election, Europe says it will impose sanctions on Belarusian officials it says were involved in vote-rigging and in the violent crackdown on opposition demonstrations.Incumbent Alexander Lukashenko was declared the winner with 80 percent of the vote. The United States and …

Read more “EU Sanctions Belarus Officials, But Lacks Leverage Against ‘Europe’s Last Dictator’”

A spokesperson for Russian opposition leader Alexi Navalny said he is in a coma in a Siberian hospital after being poisoned.Kira Yarmysh posted on social media that the 44-year-old Navalny became ill and collapsed as he was flying Thursday from the Siberian city of Tomsk to Moscow. The plane made an emergency landing in Omsk …

Read more “Russian Opposition Leader Hospitalized After Suspected Poisoning”

The United States will not seek the death penalty for two British members of an Islamic State execution squad nicknamed the “Beatles,” whose extradition the Justice Department is seeking, Attorney General William Barr said Wednesday.In a letter this week to Priti Patel, Britain’s interior minister, Barr said if Britain granted an extradition request for Alexanda …

Read more “Barr: US Won’t Seek Death Penalty Against British IS ‘Beatles’”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s warm reception in Prague last week reflects welcomed U.S. investment in the country and shared democratic values. Shortcomings in both areas, meanwhile, are seen as contributing to the decline of a once-promising relationship between Prague and Beijing. Just a few years ago, relations between Beijing and Prague were full of …

Read more “Pompeo’s Success in Prague Seen as Warning Sign for Beijing”

German authorities said Wednesday that the multiple attacks on motorcyclists riding on a Berlin highway Tuesday could be religiously motivated.   “An Islamist attack cannot be ruled out,” Berlin police and prosecutors said in a joint statement.   The 30-year-old suspect, who authorities say is an Iraqi citizen, allegedly hit several motorcycles intentionally with his …

Read more “Man Drives Into Motorcyclists on Berlin Highway in Suspected Terrorist Attack”