International Relations Trending

France unhappy with US’ protectionist attitude

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A new statement made by France President Emanuel Macron clearly indicates that the European country of France is unhappy with the protectionist attitude of the United States of America.

As the NATO members are at the doorstep of a crucial meeting, the statement made by France is of great importance.

Beneath the statement lies a clear message that France no longer trusts the security offered by the US.

Its advice for Europe is crystal clear. It wants to see a European army formed, against the interest of the NATO leader.

The root of the crisis lies in the disinterest of the US to use its money for the betterment of the NATO and to engage more with its NATO allies.

The change of attitude was evident when the US reduced its spending on the NATO budget imposing pressure on its allies to spend more on the said budget and when it decided to pull out its force from Syria, paving way for the aggression of Turkey, without discussing the decision with its NATO partners.

Though Germany’s decision on this matter is not different, it is not that adamant as that of its neighbour.

Undisputedly, a European army is a German dream too.

From an aggressive China and an unpredictable Russia to a protective US, Germany and France are no short of reason for the consideration of their dream plan.


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Crime Trending

Malta journalist murder case: Arrested businessman approaches Prez seeking pardon in exchange of information

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In a move which can be considered as a breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of Malta journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a renowned businessman, Yorgen Fenech, who was booked in connection with the case recently, has approached the president of the country, seeking a presidential pardon in exchange of a important lead he can give to take the investigation in the case to the next level.

His lawyer has recently approached a court seeking the dismissal of the chief investigative officer of the investigative team, which investigates the sensitive murder case, on the ground of his connection with some close supporters of Malta PM Joseph Muscat, who were recently found to have links with the brutal murder.

Interestingly, the businessman has not approached the cabinet with his pardon request, but has approached the president instead.

If the aforesaid developments are closely observed, what his possible revelation can be predicted.

Since the murder of the journalist, the Malta PM is under serious pressure to leave his seat of power.

Malta, a country which is not a fan of violent protest, has already witnessed some violent protest for the first time in its history in this issue.

It seems that the future of the present government in Malta hinges on the words of the arrested businessman.

There are reports that the government has already come out openly against the idea of offering pardon to the businessman in exchange of the lead he can provide to help the investigation.


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Art Trending

Thieves break into Germany’s Green Vault

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A group of thieves have broken into the largest treasure collection in Europe, known as Green Vault – situated in Germany.

Several treasures worth millions are feared to have been stolen by the group. No information regarding that has been released yet.

The German police are examining the view. They have not yet responded to any media personal.

It is yet to know whether they have received any clue about the group who has committed the theft.

Green Vault is an 18th century treasure collection. It is the contribution of the then ruler of Saxony, where the centre is located.

It houses several rare diamonds and similar expensive things.

It is important to understand how the group has managed to escape the security cover offered to the centre to avoid similar failures in future. It is also pertinent to understand has the theft been the contribution of any security failure; if it is so, those responsible should be brought to justice.


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Trending

China releases UK embassy worker’s confession video

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China has released the confession video of an UK embassy worker, who was arrested a couple of weeks ago on the charge of soliciting prostitution.

It is alleged that the employee of the UK’s Hong Kong embassy was tortured and forced to give a confession against his wish. It is said that he was threatened with the serious charge of espionage.

Many see a clear connection between the arrest of the UK embassy official and the ongoing protest in Hong Kong against China.

In the recent past, the city of Hong Kong has witnessed several demonstrations in support of the UK embassy official.

The release of the confession video is seen as a tactics of China to avoid the ire of the United Kingdom, which is unhappy with the move of the Communist Country that has created serious difficulty to its embassy employee.

The situation in Hong Kong has matured from bad to worst. Many western powers, including the UK and the US, have warned China.


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Travel Trending

Spanish court rules against Ryanair

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A Spanish court has ruled against budget flight conglomerate Ryanair, against its decision to impose fine on one of its customers, who violated its terms and conditions by carrying a bag which weighs much higher than what is approved by the flight management.

The court has found as excessive the terms and conditions of the flight that require its customers to limit their luggage to their handbags.

The court has asked the flight management to return the fine amount, which they collected from the affected customer, with interest.

Meanwhile, the court has taken a light stand on the question of compensation. It has found it unnecessary to ask the flight management to pay any compensation to the affected customer.

Anyway, the court direction, it seems, is not likely to change the attitude of the flight management.

The company still says that it will revamp its terms and conditions. The company, it seems, sees the judgment as an intrusion of the court into the right of the company to decide on its internal policies.

Ryanair is a popular budget aircraft. It offers short distance budget flight service. It usually does not allow its customers to carry anything more than their handbags. It charges extra money for additional luggage.


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Crime Trending

Sweden drops rape charges against Julian Assange

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Sweden has dropped the charge of rape registered against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, whose website is famous for its explosive information leaks.

The incident led to the case happened in the year 2010. Shortly after the issuance of an arrest warrant in connection with the case, he sought political asylum in the Ecuadoran embassy situated in the UK.

Recently, he was pulled out of the embassy by the UK with the silent permission of the country of Ecuador.

Now, he is in a UK prison facing a minor punishment for violating his bail terms.

Sweden says that there is clarity in the statement given by the victim. But, the country feels it does not have enough evidence to prove the charge at this moment.

The statute of limitations in the case is about to end in the coming August.

Neither Mr. Assange nor any of his representatives have responded in the issue.


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Politics Trending

UK sold Hong Kong to China, alleges emotionally disturbed pro-democratic activist

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A Hong Kong pro-democratic activist, who has found himself emotionally disturbed due to the ongoing confrontation between the pro-democracy camp and the Hong Kong administration controlled by the mainland, has alleged, in a footage appeared in a leading International Media website, that the United Kingdom sold out his city to the Communist Country of China during the 1980s.

Until the year 1997, the city of Hong Kong was under the UK. In that year, it was handed over to China – but, with a condition that it would not threaten the lifestyle and values the people of the city inherited from their colonial master.

But, the present reality is different. Now, there are many in the city who shares the same opinion as that of the aforementioned activist.

It is the China’s increased interference in the internal affairs of the city that has fuelled the formation of a strong anti-China sentiment in the minds of the youngsters of the city.

At present, China rules Hong Kong as per a one country two system policy. What the pro-democratic faction fears is the gradual transformation of this policy to a much-aggressive one country one system policy – which is capable enough to threaten the present lifestyle and values of the people of the city.

They consider some of the policies the pro-China Hong Kong administration have introduced in the recent past including the much opposed bill seeking the easy extradition of crime suspects from the city to the mainland as the predecessor of that possible transformation.


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Trending

Spy Swap: Norwegian spy Frode Berg freed by Russia

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Russia has released at least two Lithuanian spies and a Norwegian spy, Frode Berg, from their custody. In return, the country has managed to get at least two of its spies freed from the Lithuanian custody.

The three country spy swap deal is the most complicated deal the continent of Europe has witnessed in its recent history.

Norway is the one which has played a central role to get this deal materialised. Why they have gone that far is because the country was under severe pressure to get Mr. Berg, who was a high level officer, freed.

The family members of Mr. Berg have expressed their happiness in the deal. His daughter has already reached the city where he is expected to land within the next few hours.

Lithuania was an integral part of the erstwhile Soviet Union. Since the independence of the country, the spies of Lithuania are on continuous battle with its Russian counterparts.

The case is not very different with Norway, though it has no direct link with either the erstwhile Soviet Union or its successor, the present Russia.

Russia, Norway and Lithuania are situated very close to each other. Both Norway and Lithuania see Russia situated close to them as a threat.


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Trending

Donald Tusk advises the UK not to leave EU

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European Council President Donald Tusk has advised the United Kingdom not to leave the European Union.

He opined that the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union would mark the actual end of the Great British Empire.

Mr. Tusk is going to step down from the post in the near future itself, as his term is expected to end next month.

The warning of the European Council president has come at the time the UK government is trying to convince its parliament to approve the deal it reached with the EU in the matter of the proposed exit of the European country from the most powerful economic union in the world.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently asserted that he would try his best to convince the parliament to approve the Brexit deal.

He even criticised the parliamentarians for standing against the verdict of the people of the country.

He, it seems, is of the opinion that the parliamentarians have noting much to do in the matter of the Brexit and are supposed to give their assent as early as possible to the decision taken by the people of the country.

Will the EC president’s comment make any impact is yet to be seen.


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Trending

Student march jolts France

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Students have gathered in large numbers in several public venues, especially outside educational institutions and government buildings, across France, to express their solidarity with a student, who tried to end his life by torching himself due to his financial difficult.

The protesting students say that the self-immolated student is the representative of the French student community. They add that what he tried to tell to the French society, especially its political elites, is the difficulty the student community faces.

The student protest has disrupted the functioning of several institutions, especially several educational institutions.

The self-immolated student has suffered serious burn injuries (almost 90 per cent). His condition still remains critical.

The incident happened in a university restaurant. Hours before the incident, through his social media platform, he had declared his financial difficulties and expressed his anger towards the political system and leaders, who, he thinks, is responsible for his difficulties – France President Emanuel Macron, at least two of his predecessors, far-rightist leader Le Pen, his country’s government and the European Union had found mention in his statement.

What the student protest shows is that the French youth is frustrated and is very angry. It is needless to say that the things become complicated if the issue is not addressed promptly.


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