Category: News and Politics

Jul 2020. The Crisis in Mali

July 2020. Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari announced his first trip in months as the presidency confirmed he was joining four other presidents to salvage peace talks in Mali. Regional mediators are stepping up efforts today in the West African country where the political opposition has renewed its call for protests so that President Ibrahim Boubcar… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Crisis in Mali

Jul 2020. Hong Kong Extradition Suspended

July 2020. The UK government will suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong “immediately and indefinitely”. Announcing the move, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK “wants a positive relationship” with China. But he said the “imposition” of the new security law in Hong Kong by Beijing was a “serious violation” of the country’s international… Continue reading Jul 2020. Hong Kong Extradition Suspended

Jul 2020. EU Coronavirus Talks on Day 4

July 2020. EU leaders have struck a deal on a huge post-coronavirus recovery package following a fourth night of talks. It involves €750bn (£677bn; $859bn) in grants and loans to counter the impact of the pandemic in the 27-member bloc. The talks saw a split between nations hardest hit by the virus and so-called “frugal”… Continue reading Jul 2020. EU Coronavirus Talks on Day 4

Jul 2020. Belarus Elections

July 2020. President Alexander Lukashenko had three main rivals in the presidential election next month. Two were jailed. One was denied registration as a candidate. The top challenger now is a woman — so, to Belarus’s longtime leader, she didn’t really count as a threat. A female president “would collapse, poor thing,” Lukashenko said on… Continue reading Jul 2020. Belarus Elections

Jul 2020. The Lebanon Crisis

July 2020. Hundreds of demonstrators angered by a deepening economic crisis rallied across Lebanon for a third consecutive day on Saturday, after violent overnight riots sparked condemnation from the political elite. Protesting against the surging cost of living and the government’s apparent impotence in the face of Lebanon’s worst economic turmoil since the 1975-1990 civil… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Lebanon Crisis

Jul 2020. UK – China Tensions

July 2020. Britain announced on Monday it would suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in an escalation of a dispute with China over its introduction of a national security law for the former British colony. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told parliament the treaty would be suspended immediately and an arms embargo would be extended… Continue reading Jul 2020. UK – China Tensions

Jul 2020. The Libya Conflict Part 1

July 2020. Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) has regained full control of Tripoli after recapturing the capital’s airport. Gen Khalifa Haftar’s forces have been besieging the city since April 2019. But intensified military support from Turkey helped government forces drive Gen Haftar’s Russian-backed troops back from the frontlines. A new diplomatic effort is… Continue reading Jul 2020. The Libya Conflict Part 1

Jul 2020. Azerbaijan – Armenia Part 2

July 2020. Fierce fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued for a fifth day on Thursday, with at least 16 soldiers on both sides killed. Both sides also reported the other attacking civilian settlements in what appears to be a widening conflict. The Azerbaijani authorities said that Armenian artillery fire killed one civilian, Aziz Azizov of the village… Continue reading Jul 2020. Azerbaijan – Armenia Part 2

Jul 2020. Lybia Prisoner Swap

July 2020. Both sides to the Libyan conflict have agreed to support the ongoing process of exchanging prisoners and extend negotiations aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, according to a statement from the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. “Since the two parties agreed on the necessity of continuing negotiations in order to reach… Continue reading Jul 2020. Lybia Prisoner Swap