US has withdrawn from the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption organization: ABC News

US has withdrawn from the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption organization: ABC News

The Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from a top European anti-corruption watchdog as it forges ahead with plans to disengage from international and multilateral organizations that it accuses of exceeding their mandates, being inefficient or not adapting to U.S. policies, ABC News reports. The Council of Europe said Tuesday that the U.S. formally…

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Spanish Senate voted against friendship with France against backdrop of Macron’s visit

Spanish Senate voted against friendship with France against backdrop of Macron’s visit

Spain’s Senate rejected a friendship and cooperation treaty with France on Tuesday, the first day of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Madrid, Spanish public broadcaster RTVE reported. The agreement, previously approved by the lower house, received 106 votes in favor, 142 against, with one abstention in the Senate, where the opposition People’s Party…

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Germany issues EU budget ultimatum, FT

Germany issues EU budget ultimatum, FT

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and five other EU leaders have threatened to withhold agreement on the bloc’s next seven-year budget unless “hundreds of billions” of euros in spending cuts are secured, Financial Times reports. The ultimatum underscores divisions over the EU’s new spending priorities, including defence and efforts to shore up ailing industries against Chinese…

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Russia offered a  million reward for capture of ‘Madyar,’ commander of Ukrainian Armed Forces’ unmanned systems unit: WSJ

Russia offered a $20 million reward for capture of ‘Madyar,’ commander of Ukrainian Armed Forces’ unmanned systems unit: WSJ

Through post-Soviet criminal networks, Russia has offered a $20 million reward for information on the whereabouts of Robert “Magyar” Brovdi, commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces, The Wall Street Journal reports. “The Unmanned Systems Forces says the Kremlin has put out the word through post-Soviet criminal networks of a $20 million reward…

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If Russia decides to strike NATO territory, it will become serious test for many countries: Rinkēvičs

If Russia decides to strike NATO territory, it will become serious test for many countries: Rinkēvičs

The war in Ukraine is rapidly changing the technology of air attacks, while Europe is failing to keep pace with these developments. This creates new risks for NATO, says Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs in an interview with The Guardian.   Rinkēvičs noted that technological development in the field of drone warfare in Ukraine is taking…

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Carney says Canada and U.S will make a trade deal ‘when it’s the right time’

Carney says Canada and U.S will make a trade deal ‘when it’s the right time’

Reuters. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday (September 15) said Canada and the United States will reach a trade agreement, but only “when it’s the right time,” emphasizing that Ottawa is prepared to return to negotiations if a deal respects Canadian economic interests.   Carney, speaking at an investment summit in Toronto added “there…

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Pakistan may launch airstrikes on Houthis if Saudi Arabia requests it

Pakistan may launch airstrikes on Houthis if Saudi Arabia requests it

Pakistan is mulling to carry out airstrikes against Houthi militants in Yemen following a request from Saudi Arabia, according to security sources, as Islamabad considers operationalizing its defense pact with the kingdom, EFE reports.   The development came a day after Houthi militants attacked civilian and economic targets in Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones….

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Merz cancels planned phone call with Trump after his congratulatory post to AfD

Merz cancels planned phone call with Trump after his congratulatory post to AfD

Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has accused the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) of seeking “ethnic cleansing” with its “remigration” drive, after the nativist party’s seismic weekend victory in a state election, The Guardian reports.   In his first public confrontation with the AfD since Sunday’s shock outcome in Saxony-Anhalt, Merz said at a raucous parliamentary…

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France and Germany hold major space summit despite US boycott and Merz’s absence: Euronews

France and Germany hold major space summit despite US boycott and Merz’s absence: Euronews

Astronauts, heads of state, as well as major economic players in the space industry are set to unite on Wednesday and Thursday at the international space summit, co-hosted by France and Germany, at Paris’ Grand Palais, Euronews reports. Several US companies reportedly withdrew from the event, due to pressure from Washington over support for “EU…

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