Europe
Europe closer to war than it's been for 70 years
James Heappey, the UK's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, said that he believes Europe is closer to war than it has been for 70 years, the BBC reported."There's 130,000 Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, thousands more on amphibious shipping in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea," he told the BBC.
Putin meets Macron to discuss Ukraine, European security
The meeting was businesslike and useful, Putin on Monday said at a joint press conference with Macron following their hours-long talks in the Kremlin, Xinhua news agency reported. Russia's core concerns on security were ignored by the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), while the military alliance attempts to lecture Russia on where and how to place its armed forces, the Russian President added.
Invasion of Ukraine can happen 'any day', American troops sent 'to defend NATO territory': US NSA Jake Sullivan
“If war breaks out, it will come at an enormous human cost to Ukraine, but we believe that based on our preparations and our response, it will come at a strategic cost to Russia as well,” Sullivan said. “We believe that the Russians have put in place the capabilities to mount a significant military operation into Ukraine, and we have been working hard to prepare a response,” he added. He made these comments even as the US sent 1700 troops to Poland “to defend NATO territory”.
Iran says no initiative received from US in Vienna nuke talks
Hossein Amir Abdollahian on Sunday said in an interview with IRIB state TV that Iran has seen "no serious or remarkable initiative" from the US. The negotiations, he added, will achieve progress based on expert views and agreements, the outcome of which will be a "good agreement" that would serve the interests of the country and its people, Xinhua news agency reported.
Europe may see 'long period of tranquillity' in pandemic: WHO
According to Hans Kluge, WHO's Europe Director, the region was in a position of "higher protection" that could "bring us enduring peace", even if a new, more virulent variant than Omicron should emerge, the Guardian reported. Last week, the European region had recorded 12 million new coronavirus cases -- the highest single weekly total of the pandemic -- with about 22 per cent of all tests returning a positive result, Kluge was quoted as saying.
No plans to send combat troops to Ukraine if Russia invades: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg
“We have no plans to deploy NATO combat troops to Ukraine…we are focusing on providing support…there is a big difference between being a NATO member and being a strong and highly valued partner as Ukraine. There’s no doubt about that,” Stoltenberg said in a BBC interview when asked about NATO’s response if Russia invades Ukraine.
Portugal's ruling Socialist Party wins parliamentary election: Preliminary results
The defiant Social Democratic Party (PSD) stood second place, Xinhua news agency reported. "It was a great electoral campaign, it was a unique opportunity for everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, it surpassed everything that had been done," said Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
European Parliament approves proposal to ban targeted ads
The law will prevent Big Tech from using sensitive information for targeted advertising.
The 'Digital Services Act' will regulate platforms for a safer online space for users.
European Parliament elects Maltese Roberta Metsola as new president
The 43-year-old lawyer by profession won in a landslide vote. She received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, Xinhua news agency reported. She beat the Greens' candidate, Alice Bah Kuhnke, who got 101 votes and The Left's candidate, Sira Rego, who got 57 votes. Metsola, who studied European law, has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013 and has been first vice president since November 2020.
No breakthrough in OSCE talks between Russia, West
Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's permanent representative to the OSCE, said after the talks that Moscow was disappointed by the West's response to its proposals on Ukraine and European security, reports Xinhua news agency. However, Lukashevich said that Moscow will not give up on diplomacy and that the sides must reach an agreement or else run the risk of a potentially catastrophic outcome.
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