Month: April 2022

Євросоюз

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy Says Battle for Eastern Ukraine Has Started  

Ukraine says Russia has begun its offensive to take control of eastern Ukraine while a Russian missile attack hit the western city of Lviv, killing at least seven people.   Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address Monday, “Now, we can already state that the Russian troops have begun the battle for the Donbas, for which they have been preparing for a long time.”    He said a “significant part of the entire Russian army is now concentrated on this offensive.” The Donbas region includes Luhansk and Donetsk, two provinces that are already partly held by Russian-backed separatists, along with …

READ MORE

Євросоюз

Sweden Links Riots to Criminal Gangs That Target Police 

Swedish police said Monday that the riots that have shaken several cities and towns in the Nordic country are extremely serious crimes against society and suspect some protesters are linked to criminal gangs that intentionally target police.  Sweden, a nation of 10 million, has seen unrest, scuffles, arson and violence since Thursday that has left some police officers and protesters injured. It was triggered by Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan’s meetings and planned Quran burnings across the country.  “We suspect that those involved (in the riots) have links to criminal gangs,” National Police Commissioner Anders Thornberg told a news conference …

READ MORE

Євросоюз

Cybersecurity Group Says Catalan Leaders Targeted With Spyware

A group of Catalan separatists, including several members of the European Parliament, other politicians, lawyers and activists from Spain’s northeastern region, had their phones hacked with a controversial spyware called Pegasus, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Citizens Lab, which is associated with the University of Toronto, said at least 65 people were targeted using the Israeli-made software that is only available to governments. The maker of the software, NSO, said the allegations were “false.” The spyware infections allegedly took place between 2017 and 2020 after a failed Catalan independence bid. The movement for an independent Catalonia dates back more than …

READ MORE

Євросоюз

Turkish Forces Attack Kurdish Rebel Positions in Iraq

Turkish military forces using planes, helicopters and drones attacked Kurdish rebel positions inside northern Iraq, the Turkish Defense Ministry said Monday. The targets included camps and ammunition depots in the regions of Metina, Zap, and Avashin-Basyan, the military said. Kurdish rebels have launched attacks in Turkey from northern Iraq, and Ankara said they were planning another attack in Turkey. The Associated Press reported 19 Kurdish rebels were killed and four Turkish military members were wounded. “Our operation is continuing successfully as planned,” the state-owned Anadolu news agency quoted Defense Minister Hulusi Akar as saying. “The targets identified in the first …

READ MORE

Євросоюз

Tourism-Reliant Cyprus Scraps Virus Tests for Most Travelers

Cyprus authorities on Monday made traveling to the east Mediterranean island nation easier as the summer tourist season kicks into gear by rescinding the need to undergo any COVID-19 tests prior to boarding a flight or on arrival. According to the new regulations, only unvaccinated people who haven’t contracted and recovered from the coronavirus must undergo a PCR test 72 hours prior to boarding or a rapid test 24 hours before departure. All Cyprus-bound passengers are no longer required to fill in a form — also known as a Cyprus Flight Pass — providing information that enables authorities to trace …

READ MORE