Ukraine war: Let us rapidly join EU and cut Russia from SWIFT, says Ukrainian president Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed for Ukraine’s urgent ascension to the European Union and Russia to be cut from the SWIFT international electronic bank payment system amid the ongoing invasion. “Residential buildings destroyed by missiles and artillery are the final argument for the world to stop this occupational invasion together with us,” he said in a

US and Russia still at odds after talks over Ukraine tensions

Russia and US discuss Ukraine frictions and European security at talks in Geneva with no sign the two sides had narrowed their differences. Russia and the United States gave no sign that they had narrowed their differences on Ukraine and wider European security in talks in Geneva, as Moscow repeated demands that Washington says it

Omicron drives record cases in Europe, France reports 180,000 cases – WION

As covid-19 cases are now wreaking havoc across the European continent in particular France, Britain, Greece and Portugal have all reported record daily case numbers. France for one has reported a record high of almost 180,000 confirmed covert cases in the last 24-hour period.

Let’s talk about foreign policy concepts you’ll need soon – Beau of the Fifth Column

Countries on the UN’s weapon committee are meeting to regulate the development of ‘killer robots’ – euronews

A UN committee on weapons is meeting this week to regulate the development of “killer robots”. But some world powers oppose any strict limit or ban on such weapons.

World Cup host Qatar used ex-CIA officer to spy on FIFA

The tiny Arab nation of Qatar has for years employed a former CIA officer to help spy on soccer officials as part of a no-expense-spared effort to win and hold on to the 2022 World Cup tournament, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. It’s part of a trend of former U.S. intelligence officers

Mass protests against lockdowns and vaccines in Prague, Rome, Amsterdam

Thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna on Saturday after the Austrian government announced a nationwide lockdown to contain the quickly rising coronavirus infections in the country. The far-right opposition Freedom Party was among those who have called for the protest and vowed to combat the new restrictions. Demonstrations against virus measures also took place in

French far-right conspiracy theorist in custody: informed source

Daillet, 54, and his secretary — identified as 67-year-old Ginette M. — were placed in custody on Tuesday “for planning attacks against the state and other violent action,” including an attack on a Masonic lodge in eastern France, the source said. Daillet is also alleged to having helped organise the abduction of an eight-year-old girl

Same-sex marriage referendum approved by wide margin in Switzerland

Switzerland has become one of the last Western European countries to make same-sex marriage legal, Reuters reported. A nearly two-thirds majority, or 64 percent of the country, approved the measure in a referendum, which was conducted under the nation’s direct democracy, Reuters reported. The new legislation would legalize same-sex marriage and gives same-sex couples the right

Switzerland to hold referendum on same-sex marriage – BBC News

Voters in Switzerland go to the polls on Sunday 26 September to decide whether to allow same-sex marriage. Switzerland is one of the last countries in western Europe not to recognise same-sex marriage, and supporters say the change in the law is long overdue. But there is opposition from some church groups and right wing