Berlin mayor under fire over Ukrainian flag ban

Berlin mayor under fire over Ukrainian flag ban

BERLIN (Reuters) – Critics have taken aim at Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey after Russian flags were raised in the German capital to show their support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, while police reportedly confiscated Ukrainian flags on Sunday . Berlin police on Friday banned the display of Russian and Ukrainian flags in certain locations on … Read more

Putin ‘to recognize’ independence of breakaway territories in Ukraine

Putin ‘to recognize’ independence of breakaway territories in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two breakaway territories in eastern Ukraine as independent on Monday in a dramatic escalation of the crisis that Western leaders have warned is intended to prepare the ground for a Russian invasion of its western neighbor. In a televised address to the Russian nation on Monday evening, Putin announced his … Read more

EU reaches deal on military training mission in Ukraine

EU reaches deal on military training mission in Ukraine

The EU has reached a preliminary deal to conduct a military training mission in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister said Monday following a meeting with his EU counterparts. The agreement comes amid US warnings that Russia has decided to invade Ukraine, which is currently surrounded by up to 190,000 Russian troops. “We reached an agreement … Read more

Transparency watchdog boss: Conflict of interest reports ‘serious’ for Munich Security Conference

Transparency watchdog boss: Conflict of interest reports ‘serious’ for Munich Security Conference

BERLIN — Indications that outgoing Munich Security Conference Chairman Wolfgang Ischinger used the conference to further his personal business interests “are serious” and the forum needs to take steps to prevent such activity in the future, Transparency International Chief Executive Daniel Eriksson said. “The accusations are serious and they should be treated seriously by the … Read more

Defiant Zelenskyy promises Ukraine will defend itself 'with or without' allies

Defiant Zelenskyy promises Ukraine will defend itself 'with or without' allies

MUNICH — With his country under threat of imminent attack by Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy received a standing ovation at the annual Munich Security Conference on Saturday — and then bit the hands that applauded him in a scathing speech that slammed Western allies for not doing enough to punish Moscow and move his … Read more

Von der Leyen: Europe's winter will be fine without Russian gas

Von der Leyen: Europe's winter will be fine without Russian gas

Europe can survive this winter despite Russian energy giant Gazprom “deliberately” reducing gas supplies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday. “Even in case of full disruption of gas supply from Russia, we are on the safe side for this winter,” von der Leyen told the Munich Security Conference, noting that Brussels has … Read more

Western leaders implore Putin to step back from 'real' risk of war

Western leaders implore Putin to step back from 'real' risk of war

Press play to listen to this article Western leaders on Saturday appealed to Vladimir Putin to not give up on diplomacy amid warnings that the Russian president has already decided to invade Ukraine. Speaking at the annual Munich Security Conference, European, US and NATO leaders insisted that a standoff over the Russian troops threatening Ukraine … Read more

Iran nuclear talks crash Munich Security Conference

Iran nuclear talks crash Munich Security Conference

VIENNA — The Munich Security Conference, the exclusive annual gathering of powerful decision-makers, can add one more event to its agenda this weekend: the Iran nuclear talks. As officials signal an agreement may be nearing, European nuclear negotiators are expected to travel to Munich this weekend to keep talks going during the conference over reviving … Read more

NATO: No sign of Russian ‘de-escalation on the ground’ in Ukraine crisis

NATO: No sign of Russian ‘de-escalation on the ground’ in Ukraine crisis

NATO said Tuesday it has not seen “any de-escalation on the ground” from Russian forces near Ukraine, despite earlier claims from Moscow that some troops taking part in military exercises were pulling back. “So far we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground, not any signs of reduced Russian military presence on the borders … Read more

When will five to 11-year-olds be jabbed? Decision to be made after US Germany and Spain vaccinate children

When will five to 11-year-olds be jabbed? Decision to be made after US Germany and Spain vaccinate children

Almost 73 percent of the entire population of the UK is now fully vaccinated, but a the majority of one demographic is still without theirs. Children. Those aged 12 or older are now able to get their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, then their second 12 weeks after. Just like other inoculation programs such … Read more