Nigeria’s president rebukes security chiefs over worsening violence
Nigeria’s president criticised his heads of security on Thursday for their handling of attacks across the north of the country and said more needs to be done to resolve the problem, the national security adviser said.
Belarus president’s main rival detained in crackdown before election
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s main rival was detained on Thursday and accused of siphoning $430 million out of the country, in a widening crackdown on opponents before an Aug. 9 presidential election.
Johnson & Johnson in talks with governments on possible COVID-19 vaccine
Johnson & Johnson is in talks with multiple governments and global organizations as it seeks to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, it said on Thursday after Reuters reported that the U.S. company is in talks over a potential EU supply deal.
Explainer: London faces up to former role insuring Atlantic slave trade
London is facing up to its role in insuring the slave trade as part of a sweeping global reassessment of history and racism.
NATO to investigate Mediterranean incident with Turkey
NATO will investigate French accusations that Turkey’s navy failed to respond to an allied call for inspection this month in the Mediterranean, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday following a meeting of defence ministers.
UK says EU trade deal will be difficult if no progress before October
Britain warned the European Union on Thursday that it would be difficult to conclude a Brexit free trade deal by the end of the year unless broad agreement had been reached by October.
Fearing ‘autumn of discontent’, EU to seek unity on recovery plan
European Union leaders will try to narrow their differences over a coronavirus economic recovery plan at a summit on Friday, worried that further bickering and delay will only dent public confidence in the bloc as a deep downturn takes hold.
Russian aircraft active in Libya, AFRICOM says
Russian jets delivered to Libya in May are being actively used in the North African country, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said on Thursday.
U.N. mulls proposal to reopen Iraq crossing for pandemic aid to Syria
The United Nations Security Council is considered a proposal to reopen a border crossing from Iraq into Syria for six months to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to help millions of Syrian civilians combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Former Pope Benedict leaves Vatican to visit ailing brother in Germany
Former Pope Benedict travelled to his native Germany on Thursday to visit his ailing older brother, the Vatican said.
