EU backtracks on sanctions threat against Russia over Syria

EU leaders backed down Friday from an explicit threat of sanctions against Russia over the bombing of Aleppo but warned that they would consider “all available options” if atrocities in Syria continue. Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi demanded that any mention of possible punitive measures against Moscow over the Syrian carnage should be removed from a statement issued after a… Read more »

Heavy fighting erupts in Aleppo after ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ ends

Heavy clashes erupted between regime and rebel forces in Syria’s divided city of Aleppo late Saturday after a unilateral ceasefire announced by government ally Russia expired. Moscow had extended the unilateral “humanitarian pause” into a third day until 1600 GMT Saturday, but announced no further renewal of the truce despite a UN request for longer to evacuate wounded civilians. The… Read more »

Russian warships sail past the UK (BBC)

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A flotilla of Russian warships is passing through the English Channel en route to Syria. Two British naval ships are shadowing the vessels. The Ministry of Defence said they would be “man-marked every step of the way” while near UK waters. A Russian tug, believed to be in convoy with the taskforce, entered the channel first off the coast near… Read more »

EU ‘not capable’ of signing Canada deal (BBC)

A trade deal between the EU and Canada is on the brink of collapse after talks between Canada and a Belgian region broke down on Friday. Canada’s Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland left the talks in Brussels, saying the EU was “not capable” of signing a trade deal even with Canada. Talks on the deal began in 2009. Belgium, the only country… Read more »

Analysis Post: Hungary’s Migrant Quotas Referendum

Hungary’s media for the past four months has been plagued with negative advertisements concerning migrants and those seeking asylum. This anti-migrant sentiment, often including xenophobic statements, was encouraged by the Hungarian Government including Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The country was asked to host a small amount of 1,294 migrants fleeing war in their own countries. Rather than accept this request… Read more »

Deutsche Bank cuts another 1,000 jobs

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Deutsche Bank has announced that 1,000 jobs will be cut in Germany. The move adds to the 3,000 job losses announced in June. Almost half of the latest job cuts will hit the company’s chief operating office, with the rest spread over several departments. Deutsche Bank has been under intense pressure since mid-September, when US authorities said they wanted the… Read more »

Analysis Post on the Mediterranean’s Migrant Rescue Boats

I am shocked that these migrants are brave enough to travel in precarious boats just at the chance of a new start. They have no life jackets and are traveling in darkness in a vessel made of plastic and rubber. It really highlights how bad their current situation is; they would rather die trying to escape then stay and live.

Finland jets monitor Russian fighters on border flights

Finland’s Defence Ministry says it has scrambled jets twice in the past 24 hours to monitor suspected airspace violations by Russian fighters. A Russian Su-27 fighter was detected in the Gulf of Finland south of Porvoo late on Thursday, the ministry said. Another Russian Su-27 was detected on a suspicious flight there earlier. “Russian military aviation over the Baltic Sea… Read more »

Analysis Post: Portugal’s Antonio Guterres set to be UN secretary general

What I find most interesting about this article and situation is how out of all the 15-member Security Council, not one person, voting for or against the 10 candidates, said ‘discourage’ to Antonio Guterres. If I had to say, I would think that not having a single ‘discourage’ written on a ballot for any candidate is common. I like to… Read more »