EU leaders agree to extend sanctions on Russia: diplomats
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels on Thursday agreed to extend their main economic sanctions against Russia for six months to the end of July 2020, four diplomatic sources told Reuters.
Royal Caribbean liability for volcano deaths may turn on ‘act of God’ defense
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd’s potential liability for a deadly excursion to a volcanic island in New Zealand could hinge on whether the eruption was an unforeseeable “act of God,” according to maritime lawyers.
New Zealand prepares to airlift six bodies recovered from volcanic island
A New Zealand military team that landed on a volcanic island on Friday has recovered six of eight bodies and are preparing to send them back to the capital city Wellington, police said in a statement.
Italy’s coalition loses three senators in blow to already tiny majority
Three senators of the ruling anti-establishment 5-Star Movement quit the party on Thursday to join the far-right League opposition group, cutting the government’s already slim majority in the upper-house of parliament.
Quebec court refuses to suspend law banning religious symbols
The Quebec Court of Appeal refused on Thursday to suspend a law banning the wearing of religious symbols by public employees in the Canadian province, although more legal battles await.
U.S. warns North Korea against ‘ill-advised behavior’ as deadline looms
The United States warned North Korea on Thursday against any resumption of “unfortunate ill-advised behavior” after Pyongyang raised international concerns by setting an end-of-year deadline for Washington to reconsider its diplomatic approach.
New Zealand military team lands on volcano for risky recovery mission
A New Zealand military team undertaking a high-risk operation to recover bodies of eight people killed in an eruption this week has landed on the volcanic White Island, the police said on Friday.
U.S. imposes sanctions on son of Nicaragua’s president
The United States imposed sanctions on another son of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, Rafael, on Thursday, accusing him of money laundering and corruption, in the latest effort by Washington to put pressure on the leftist government.
U.S. does not want to see ‘ill-advised behavior’ by North Korea: official
President Donald Trump wants to work with North Korea to help it develop its economy, but the United States does not want to see a resumption of “ill-advised behavior” by Pyongyang, a senior State Department official said on Thursday.
New Zealand launches risky mission to recover bodies from volcano
New Zealand’s military forces began a high-risk operation on volcanic White Island on Friday to recover bodies of eight people killed in an eruption this week, despite warnings that the island was still highly volatile.
