U.S. to give Ukraine $250 million in aid to deter Russia
The United States plans to give Ukraine $250 million through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for training and equipment to strengthen the country’s ability defend itself against Russia, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
At least 10 Ivory Coast soldiers killed in attack near Burkina border, army says
At least 10 soldiers were killed and six wounded in an attack on an Ivory Coast military post on the northern border near Burkina Faso on Thursday, the army said.
Trump authorizes sanctions over ICC Afghanistan war crimes case
President Donald Trump on Thursday authorized U.S. economic and travel sanctions against International Criminal Court employees involved in an investigation into whether American forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.
U.S. Embassy in Turkey deeply disappointed by conviction of consulate employee
The United States Embassy in Ankara said on Thursday that it was “deeply disappointed” by the sentencing of its Istanbul consulate employee Metin Topuz on a charges of aiding a terrorist organisation.
Turkish court sentences U.S. consulate employee to jail
A Turkish court sentenced U.S. consulate employee Metin Topuz to eight years and nine months in jail for aiding a terrorist organisation, state-owned Anadolu news agency said on Thursday, a development that could strain ties with Washington.
Syria’s Assad dismisses prime minister: state media
Syrian President Bashar al Assad issued a decree on Thursday dismissing prime minister Imad Khamis from the post he has occupied since 2016, state media said.
Sweden indignant as Finland excludes it from travel curb easing
Finland’s government said on Thursday it will lift coronavirus-related restrictions on leisure travel to and from neighbouring Baltic and Nordic countries, but excluded Sweden, prompting indignation in Stockholm.
Serbia to keep balancing West, Russia and China, president says
Belgrade wants to keep balancing its ties with the West, China and Russia as it seeks to join the European Union and reach a settlement with Kosovo, President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday ahead of a parliamentary election.
EU to draw up safe countries list as borders open to travellers
The European Union should gradually reopen its borders to non-EU travellers from July and draw up a list of countries outside the bloc for which restrictions can be removed, the European Commission said on Thursday.
UK animal shelter uses video calls to find new homes for dogs during pandemic
John Waters and his wife Lois are delighted that they have been able to overcome the restrictions of Britain’s coronavirus lockdown and adopt a new pet with the help of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London and some videoconferencing.
