LONDON (AA) – NATO allies on Wednesday agreed to increase the alliance’s civil and military budgets for 2023, reflecting higher ambitions for the new security reality. “The civil budget is set at €370.8 million ($394 million), and the military budget is set at €1.96 billion ($2.1 billion), representing a 27.8% and 25.8% increase, respect...
BRUSSELS (AA) – The European Court of Justice on Wednesday dismissed the PKK’s request seeking its removal from the EU’s terror list. The EU General Court, a constituent court of the EU Court of Justice, announced its decision in the lawsuit filed by the group last year. The decision, in which the terms “terrorist act” [&hell...
Istanbul, Turkey (AFP): Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday backed the creation of a new natural gas pipeline that could ease Europe’s dependence on Russia by linking up with energy-rich Turkmenistan. The Turkish leader’s remarks came during a three-way summit with the presidents of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan in th...
PARIS (AA) – More than 120 people were arrested on Wednesday night for what lawmakers denounced as “racist violence” in Paris and other French cities after France’s World Cup semifinal win over Morocco. Some 10,000 police officers were mobilized across France over fears of possible riots, including 5,000 for Paris and the surrounding are...
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Kosovo will apply for membership of the European Union this week, said Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Tuesday. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Kurti said Kosovo ranks first in the region in terms of rule of law, freedom and democracy. “We are entering a new phase in our relations with the […]
ANKARA (AA) – An EU commissioner on Tuesday condemned all those who take payoffs, kickbacks, and bribes and urged the criminalization of all forms of corruption in all the bloc’s member states. “There must be zero tolerance for corruption. Corruption is a crime that undermines our democracy, economy, and society,” Ylva ...
LONDON (AA) – A search and rescue operation is underway in the English Channel after a major accident involving a small migrant boat, the British Coast Guard said Wednesday. Deaths are feared, according to local reports. Some local reports suggest that as many as 30 migrants were onboard. HM Coast Guard helicopters alongside one from [&h...
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – European Union officials have agreed that Bosnia and Herzegovina should become a formal candidate to join the bloc, the EU enlargement commissioner said on Tuesday. “Today we have reached another milestone. The way to the EU is open! We have great hopes and expectations that 14 key priorities will be fulfill...
ANKARA (AA) – France is “very concerned” about the situation in Muslim north Kosovo, a foreign ministry statement has said. “France is very concerned about the situation in North Kosovo and strongly condemns the unacceptable attack on the EULEX Kosovo mission and all the acts of violence on the ground,” said the statement. “France fully [&hell...
TEHRAN, Iran (AA) – Iran has announced fresh sanctions on dozens of European Union and British officials and entities, accusing them of “deliberate actions in supporting terrorism”. In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said it was designating 23 individuals and 9 entities, including prominent lawmakers and military figures. “Due to the...
