EUR 230 million worth of fake food and beverages seized in global OPSON operation targeting food fraud Operation OPSON VI, the joint Europol-INTERPOL operation targeting counterfeit and substandard food and drink, as well as the organised crime networks behind this illicit trade, has resulted in the seizure of 9 800 tonnes, over 26.4 million litres,…
Category: World
Germany spied on Interpol and Europol
Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency spied on the Interpol international police agency for years and on the group’s country liaison offices in dozens of countries such as Austria, Greece and the United States, a German magazine Der Spiegel said. No comment was immediately available from the BND, Interpol or Europol. Der Spiegel magazine, citing documents it…
Moscow for ‘politically important’ dialog with Pyongyang
A US-sponsored draft of UN Security Council statement condemning Pyongyang’s missile test, which some media claimed had been blocked by Russia, was actually withdrawn by Washington after a wording disagreement, Moscow said. The statement was to condemn the latest failed ballistic missile test by North Korea, but failed to get through the top security body…
Schaeuble for multilateralism
German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Thursday it would be possible to develop the euro zone’s European Stability Mechanism (ESM) rescue fund into a European monetary fund soon. FinMin Schäuble at @CarnegieEndow: We need to focus on making economies more resilient — German Embassy (@GermanyinUSA) April 20, 2017 Asked if this would be possible…
EU on clashes in south of Libya
“The clashes and escalation of violence in the south of Libya endanger the political process and put Libyan citizens’ lives at risk, ” – says the statement of the European External Action Service. “Libyans deserve peace and stability, and expect all sides to refrain from violence and take measures to de-escalate the tense situation. Libya’s…
Pope criticizes bureaucracies
The Pope delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” message to thousands of pilgrims who gathered in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Francis said the bombing, which killed more than 100 people near the city of Aleppo was “the latest vile attack on fleeing refugees”. He also spoke against “old and new” forms of slavery and discrimination….
Christians – most prosecuted
Nearly 90,000 of the faithful were killed for their beliefs in violent and gruesome attacks last year, according to a report by the Center for Studies on New Religions, making Christians the most persecuted group in the world. While some were killed as part of state-sanctioned persecution, as in places like North Korea, nearly one-third…
Teleguided democracy vs. social networks
Shareholders have proposed that Facebook Inc prepare a report on the threat to democracy and free speech from so-called ‘fake’ news spread on the social media forum, and the dangers it may pose to the company itself, according to US mass-media reports. The proposal, which suggested Facebook had provided “a financial mechanism supporting fabricated content”…
Tillerson’s visit as a glimpse of hope
Anna van Densky, OPINION The reception of State Secretary Rext Tillerson in Kremlin gives hope that the superpower leaders are prepared to assume their responsibilities towards global community, and stabilize the rapidly deteriorated US-Russia relations. The high expectations of Russians did not come true – the change of the administration did not bring a major…
Tillerson-Lavrov exchange of views
Secretary Tillerson before meeting with FM Lavrov: Looking forward to an open exchange to better define the U.S.-Russia relationship. pic.twitter.com/pcWRIhyvnl — Department of State (@StateDept) April 12, 2017 After the formal talks Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov invited his US counterpart Rex Tillerson for a working lunch. The international press is waiting for the briefing of…
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