Nato might up its nuclear weapon development in the face of Russian threats June 25, 2015 Nato is reviewing its nuclear weapons policy in response to escalating tensions with Russia over the situation in Ukraine. Read more: The UK is building a new Royal Navy ship to defend against “Russian aggression”, says defence secretary Michael Fallon At a ministerial meeting in Brussels yesterday, sources from the organisation said they were [...]
Conservative MP Gerald Howarth calls for law ensuring at least two per cent of GDP goes on defence June 25, 2015 Former defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth is trying to introduce a new law that would keep the UK's defence spend at a minimum of two per cent of GDP. Read more: UK's £56bn aerospace, defence, security and space sectors come out strongly against Brexit The proposal, which the Conservative MP is setting out in [...]
Aegon International: Johanna Konta enjoys best win of career June 23, 2015 British No2 Johanna Konta stepped up her Wimbledon preparations with a first career victory over a top-10 ranked opponent yesterday when she beat Ekaterina Makarova at Eastbourne. On a successful day for the nation’s female tennis players, 24-year-old Konta beat Russian world No8 Makarova 6-2, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Aegon [...]
Stunning image of the red aurora taken from International Space Station June 23, 2015 The American astronaut Scott Kelly posted these powerful images of the red aurora – or "red curtain" – on Twitter today. Day 87. The red curtain of an #aurora closes on another day. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/NUyJkGKy9y — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) June 22, 2015 Aurora borealis is caused by cosmic rays, solar wind [...]
EU ministers agree to extend economic sanctions against Russia until January 2016 June 22, 2015 The European Union has decided to extend economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, imposed due to the country’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. Meeting in Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers are upholding economic sanctions to make Russia comply with the Minsk ceasefire accord, which was signed with Ukraine in February. #EU extended economic [...]
As they sign a gas pipeline deal, should Europe fear closer links between Greece and Russia? June 21, 2015 John Lough, associate fellow in Chatham House’s Russia and Eurasia programme, says Yes. Russia wants to build the gas pipeline to reduce its dependency on gas transit through Ukraine – around 50 per cent of its gas exports to Europe pass through Ukraine. Greece is assisting Russia in its endeavour, and contributing to weakening Ukraine’s [...]
Grexit would leave Greece a failed state says former US Treasury secretary Larry Summers June 21, 2015 Greece will likely become a failed state if it leaves the Euro, according to a former US treasury secretary. Writing in the Financial Times, Lawrence (Larry) Summers said it now “appeared likely” that Greece would financially separate from Europe, and that this would be the least beneficial result for both parties. Read more: Tsipras puts [...]
Michael Fallon: UK will commit 1,000 troops to Nato rapid response force for further three years June 21, 2015 The defence secretary Michael Fallon has promised to commit UK troops to Nato's rapid response force for a further three years to fight threats from Russia and elsewhere Ahead of a meeting of Nato defence ministers due to be held in Brussels this week, Fallon promised support of 1,000 troops every year to Nato's new task [...]
Greece crisis: European Central Bank offers Greece another liquidity lifeline June 19, 2015 Stocks in Athens were up as much as two per cent this afternoon, after the European Central Bank (ECB) offered a lifeline to Greece this afternoon, increasing the amount of emergency liquidity its banks can draw on for the second time this week. Read more: Countdown to Grexit: The key dates that could save Greece before [...]
Why Russia’s new data law targeting Google, Facebook and Twitter will cost its economy billions June 18, 2015 A new law being introduced in Russia which will force many of the world’s largest tech companies to hold the personal data of Russian citizens within the country's borders, will cost the Russian economy billions of dollars and damage its standing on the world stage. The data privacy law, which will come into force in [...]