Tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka nosedive in May, June after bombings
Tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka fell sharply in May and June from a year ago, as visitors shunned the Indian Ocean island after the Easter Sunday attacks, the tourism bureau said on Wednesday.
We condemn threats against sea rescuers like Sea-Watch captain, Germany says
A spokesman for Germany’s Foreign Ministry condemned as wholly unacceptable the kind of online threats and hate speech that led to the German captain of a sea rescue vessel having to hide in a secret location.
Russia’s Putin signs law suspending INF disarmament treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation suspending a 1987 nuclear missile treaty, according to the law published on Wednesday on an official government website.
Dam bursts in India after rains, killing 11
Heavy monsoon rains caused the breach of a small dam in western India, washing away dozens of homes and killing at least 11 people with 13 missing, a government official said on Wednesday.
Serbia says it using ‘alternative’ routes to supply Serbs in north Kosovo
Serbia is using “alternative” mountain tracks to send goods to Serb-dominated northern Kosovo to avoid having to pay a 100% import tax, Serbia’s president said on Wednesday, in comments likely to further strain ties between Belgrade and Pristina.
UK PM candidate Johnson says he backs Hong Kong people ‘every inch of the way’
Boris Johnson, who could be Britain’s prime minister by the end of the month, said he backed the people of Hong Kong every inch of the way and cautioned China that “one country, two systems” should not be cast aside.
China criticizes Britain for ‘shameless’ comments on Hong Kong
China on Wednesday denounced British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt as “shameless”, saying it had made a diplomatic complaint to London after he warned of consequences if China neglected commitments made when it took back Hong Kong in 1997.
Iran to boost uranium enrichment level above nuclear pact’s limit: Rouhani
Iran will boost its uranium enrichment after July 7 to whatever levels it needs beyond the cap set in the landmark 2015 nuclear deal, President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday, while calling on Washington to rejoin the pact.
No technocrat, Lagarde brings listening, diplomacy to ECB table
Christine Lagarde will raise the profile of the European Central Bank, making it a more politically-savvy institution that takes its message directly to the people. However policy innovation, the trademark of her predecessor, may be relegated.
EU parliament to decide on hard-won pick for Commission head
EU governments’ surprise nominee for president of the European Union’s executive, Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen, will seek support in the EU parliament on Wednesday hoping to secure the confirmation that she will need in two weeks’ time.
