Privacy activists slam EU-US pact on data sharing
The deal overcame objections about US intelligence agencies' level of access to European data.
2023-07-11 11:25
Turkey agrees to Sweden Nato membership after previously blocking bid
Turkey has agreed to support Sweden's bid to join Nato after previously blocking the country from joining. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during a briefing that he would forward Sweden's bid to join Nato to the Turkish parliament for ratification. It comes after the president previously appeared to suggest that Turkey would only back Sweden joining if it was re-considered for EU membership. Nato’s directory general Jens Stoltenberg said: “President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly [Turkey’s parliament] as soon as possible and work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification.” Mr Stolenberg said this is a “historic step” but that a clear date could not be given for when Sweden officially joins. Turkey previously resisted Sweden joining the alliance after accusing Swedish authorities of being complicit in Islamophobic demonstrations. It also claims that Sweden allowed members of recognised Kurdish terror groups to operate, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Although Sweden changed its terrorism laws earlier this year to make it a crime to be part of these groups. As a member of Nato, Turkey has a veto on allowing other nations to join the alliance. But the Turkish president faced pressure from European and American allies to allow Sweden to join. Joe Biden spoke with Mr Erdogan while flying aboard Air Force One on Sunday, CNN reported. The US president conveyed his desire to welcome Sweden into Nato as soon as possible, according to a readout from the White House. In a statement, the White House said: “I welcome the statement issued by Turkey, Sweden and the Nato secretary general this evening, including the commitment by President ErdoÄŸan to transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to Turkey’s Grand National Assembly for swift ratification. “I stand ready to work with President ErdoÄŸan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd Nato Ally. And I thank secretary general Stoltenberg for his steadfast leadership.” From Tuesday, during a two-day meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, Nato allies will also discuss the prospect of Ukraine joining. It has been agreed that although Ukraine cannot join during the war, a measure has been removed to allow the nation to join more quickly after the conflict is over. The Membership Action Plan, which involves a host of bureaucratic and military reforms designed to ensure a prospective member is up to NATO standards, is no longer a requirement for Ukraine to join. However, the move has sparked outrage in Moscow. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "You know the absolutely clear and consistent position of the Russian Federation that Ukraine's membership in NATO will have very, very negative consequences for the security architecture, the already half-destroyed security architecture in Europe. "And it will be an absolute danger, a threat to our country, which will require from us a sufficiently clear and firm reaction." Read More Joe Biden meets King Charles at Windsor Castle as part of flying UK visit Why Ukraine’s plea for Nato membership is such a challenge for the West Biden news – live: Palace denies breach of royal protocol between King Charles and Biden during awkward moment Deadly flooding hits several countries, scientists said this will be increasingly common Swedish foreign minister optimistic Turkey will drop objections to NATO membership Former POWs welcomed back to Ukraine in ceremony headed by Zelensky
2023-07-11 07:48
What is Turkey's leader Erdogan up to now?
He seems to be saying Sweden cannot join Nato if Turkey cannot join the EU, writes Paul Adams.
2023-07-11 02:19
Spain rescues boat with 86 migrants, hundreds likely still missing
MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish maritime rescue that dispatched a plane and a ship to search for a fishing vessel from Senegal
2023-07-11 01:58
Russian Oil Price at Western Port Creeps Closer to Sanctions Cap
The price of Russian oil at one of its Western ports is the closest to the price cap
2023-07-11 00:20
Novo Weight Drugs Probed Over Reports of Suicidal Thoughts
Novo Nordisk A/S’s weight-loss medications are under investigation by the European Union’s drugs regulator after a small number
2023-07-10 22:27
Erdogan Links Sweden’s NATO Entry to Turkey’s EU Bid
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan linked Sweden’s NATO membership bid to Ankara’s efforts to join the European Union,
2023-07-10 22:24
Romania country profile
Provides an overview of Romania, including key dates and facts about this European country.
2023-07-10 19:23
Biden and Sunak Begin Talks on Ukraine Before NATO Summit
Joe Biden is meeting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for talks on Ukraine during a brief visit to the
2023-07-10 18:16
Ukraine war: Poland security patrols on high alert at Belarus border
Polish guards describe their concerns over Russia's Wagner group and the threat of unpredictability.
2023-07-10 17:24
Norway’s Underlying Inflation Unexpectedly Accelerates to Record
Norway’s underlying inflation unexpectedly accelerated to a record-high pace, vindicating the central bank’s half-point interest-rate increase last month
2023-07-10 14:53
Ukraine-Russia news – live: Ukrainian troops make gains in Bakhmut as Zelensky claims ‘initiative’
Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukrainian forces have taken the “initiative” after making gains outside the eastern city of Bakhmut as part of a wider counteroffensive. Stating that Ukraine is “advancing, albeit not as fast [as we would like]”, Mr Zelensky said: “We would all love to see the counteroffensive accomplished in a shorter period of time. But there is reality. Today, the initiative is on our side.” On the 501st day of the war, Ukraine is attempting to retake territory and villages that were captured by Russia not long after its invasion began, to the east and south of the country. Heavy fighting continues to rage in two southeast areas, deputy defence minister Hanna Maliar said. This comes as a group of Western allies, including the US, the UK, France, and Germany have huddled in “frantic, last-minute” negotiations as they look to provide security assurance for Ukraine ahead of the Nato summit in Vilnius. And Vladimir Putin’s close aide Dmitry Medvedev has threatened to attack Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities in eastern Europe in retaliation over unconfirmed allegations on Telegram that Ukrainian forces tried to strike a nuclear power plant in Russia’s Smolensk with British missiles. Read More Biden touches down in UK as president expected to be challenged over cluster bombs at Nato summit Biden says Ukraine not ‘ready’ for Nato membership ahead of key summit Cluster bombs: What are the controversial explosives and why is Biden sending them to Ukraine? Why are Russian and Belarusian players allowed back at Wimbledon?
2023-07-10 11:46