EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Belarus: Borrell demands investigation

Brussels 24.05.2021 Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell called for an international investigation after Belarus forced a Ryanair passenger jet to land in Minsk, in an apparent effort to arrest an activist journalist. “In carrying out this coercive act, the Belarusian authorities have jeopardised the safety of passengers and crew,” Borrell said in a statement issued…

EU: Belarus “inadmissible” act

Brussels 24.05.2021 European governments accused Belarus of engaging in an act of state terrorism after it forced a commercial jetliner Ryanair to make an emergency landing in Minsk after a purported bomb threat and then arrested an opposition blogger critical of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. Very concerned regarding reports of a forced landing of #Ryanair…

Christie’s: $25-35M Sakura diamond

Brussels 22.05.2021 The Sakura diamond a massive 15.81 carat purple-pink internally flawless gemstone is expected to gain between $25-35 million when it goes on sale at Christie’s in Hong Kong on Sunday, May 23. VIDEO: The Sakura diamond — a massive 15.81 carat purple-pink internally flawless gemstone — is expected to fetch between $25-35 million…

Georgia troops return from Afghanistan

Brussels 22.05.2021 Following an end to the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (RSM), Georgia has started pulling its troops out of Afghanistan. In Tbilisi, the Defence Ministry said on Friday, May 21, that 100 infantrymen of the Western Command’s 3rd Brigade were the first troops returning home. (Image above: illustration). Georgian troops start returning from Afghanistan…

COVID19: EU aid to Nepal

Brussels 21.05.2021 An aircraft from Spain carrying urgently needed oxygen cylinders and concentrators, ventilators and rapid antigen tests arrived in Nepal today, following the country’s request for support for EU assistance to help contain its rapid surge in COVID-19 infections. Covid19 outbreak in Nepal could be even worse than India's #Coronavirus #COVID #COVID19 #Covid_19 #Nepal…

EU welcomes Israel-Palestine ceasefire

Brussels 21.05.2021 Israel/Palestine: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell on the ceasefire: “The European Union welcomes the announced ceasefire bringing to an end the violence in and around Gaza. We commend Egypt, Qatar, United Nations, United States and others who have played a facilitating role in this. “They cannot destroy the spirit of resistance…

Vaccine labels on dating apps

Major dating apps are adding vaccination badges and special benefits to users’ profiles who say they received the coronavirus vaccine in an effort to reach the Biden administration’s July 4 inoculation goal, the Hill newspaper reports. Major dating apps including Tinder, OkCupid adding vaccination badges to dating profiles https://t.co/uZUu9xadko pic.twitter.com/7KRWKwnDsz — The Hill (@thehill) May…

EU supports WHO PANDEMIC TREATY

Brussels 20.05.2021 The Council adopted today a decision to support the launch of negotiations for an international treaty on the fight against pandemics. The World Health Assembly, the main governing body of the WHO, is expected to back the establishment of a process for a Framework Convention on Pandemic Preparedness and Response during its (virtual)…

Japan promotes women

A cross-party group of Japanese lawmakers promoting women’s participation in politics has given up on including in an amendment bill a clause on numerical targets for female political candidates. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party opposed the idea of obliging political parties to set targets on the proportion of women in all candidates they field in…

Ceuta: Spanish borders are EU borders

Brussels 18.05.2021 The European Council President Charles Michel expressed “full solidarity” with Spain after holding urgent talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who cancelled his trip to Paris to address with what he has described a “serious crisis” for both the Iberian country and the EU. Todo nuestro apoyo y solidaridad con España @sanchezcastejon…