Dec 16 EU seeks assurances from Syria’s new leaders in exchange for dropping sanctions By Lorne Cook, Associated Press European Union nations on Monday set out conditions for lifting sanctions on Syria and kick-starting aid to the conflict-ravaged country amid uncertainty about its new leaders' intentions just over a week after they seized power. Continue reading
Dec 14 Georgian ruling party candidate Kavelashvili becomes president with country’s EU bid in limbo By Sophiko Megrelidze, Associated Press Former soccer player Mikheil Kavelashvili became president of Georgia on Saturday, as the ruling party tightened its grip in what the opposition calls a blow to the country’s EU aspirations and a victory for former imperial ruler Russia. Continue reading
Nov 30 Watch 2:49 News Wrap: Syrian rebels push further into Aleppo after surprise takeover In our news wrap Saturday, rebels in Syria encountered little resistance from government forces as they spread further into Aleppo, an Israeli airstrike killed charity workers in Gaza, Israel and Hezbollah’s cease-fire appears to be holding despite sporadic incidents, and… Continue watching
Nov 30 Georgia sees 3rd night of protests against ruling party’s suspension of EU talks By Sophiko Megrelidze, Associated Press The ruling Georgian Dream party’s disputed victory in the country’s Oct. 26 parliamentary election, which was widely seen as a referendum on Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union, has sparked major demonstrations and led to an opposition boycott of… Continue reading
Nov 29 Watch 5:39 Thousands protest in Georgia after government suspends EU bid By Nick Schifrin, Sonia Kopelev, Lachlan Hyatt The ruling party of the country of Georgia has suspended talks to join the European Union, a decision that the opposition calls the culmination of a pro-Russian effort to rig recent parliamentary elections and turn the former Soviet Republic back… Continue watching
Nov 18 French farmers protest EU agricultural pact with South American trade bloc By Associated Press French farmers argue the deal threatens their livelihoods by allowing a surge of South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards. Continue reading
Oct 28 Republic of Georgia’s president accuses Russia of election meddling, urges the West to back protests By Emma Burrows, Associated Press President Salome Zourabichvili, who refused to recognize the official results, says the South Caucasus nation has fallen victim to Russian pressure aimed at derailing its plans to join the European Union. Continue reading
Oct 26 Polls close in Georgian election that could either bring it closer to the EU or into Russia’s orbit By Emma Burrows, Associated Press The outcome of Saturday's parliamentary election will decide whether Georgia gets back on track to join the European Union or if it embraces authoritarianism and falls into Russia’s orbit. Continue reading
Sep 30 Europe’s far-right celebrates Austrian election win, but political future there uncertain By Stephanie Liechtenstein, Associated Press European far-right and nationalist parties are celebrating the far-right Freedom Party’s win in Austria’s election. Continue reading
Sep 20 EU pledges to loan Ukraine up to $39 billion to help rebuild its economy and power grid By Lorne Cook, Associated Press Part of the money will be used to help the country repair and reconnect its war-damaged electricity grid and boost its heating capacity as winter approaches. Around half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure is destroyed. Continue reading