Russia will likely refuse extradition, denies any knowledge of suspects’ identity
British Prime Minister Theresa May says Britain and its allies must do more to counter Russia's spy agency known as the GRU, which poses a threat to the West. May's warning Wednesday came as she revealed the identities of two Russian GRU agents believed responsible for the nerve agent poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in March in the British city of Salisbury. However, it is unlikely the perpetrators will face justice, as Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Britain risks huge disruptions to its economy and society, including trade, transport, health care and citizens' rights, if it leaves the European Union next March without a deal. That's the conclusion of a new report on the short-term risks of a so-called 'no-deal Brexit.' The report comes as lawmakers return to London after a six-week summer break to face growing uncertainty over Britain's future relations with the EU. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Britain and EU have so far failed to secure withdrawal agreement as Irish border remains major obstacle
The United States and Russia urgently need to revive Cold War-era cooperation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons. That’s according to a report from a policy group, the International Institute for Strategic Studies. As Henry Ridgwell reports, the authors highlight how U.S.-Soviet cooperation helped prevent the spread of nuclear weapons to the African continent.
US-Soviet cooperation helped end South Africa's nuclear weapons program
Italy has rejected criticism of its hard-line policy on immigration, after protesters marched on the Italian Interior Ministry, accusing it of being responsible for the deaths of migrants at sea. Rome has banned nongovernmental organization, or NGO, charity boats from disembarking migrants in Italian ports. As Henry Ridgwell reports, just-released figures show Italy's crackdown is having an effect, with Spain overtaking Italy as the No. 1 destination for migrants in the European Union.
UN says 1 in 7 migrants drown in Mediterranean since Italy's NGO ban
Estonia was the one of the first countries to suffer a large-scale cyber-attack - and most experts say Russia was behind the 2007 strike. The Baltic country now hosts NATO’s Center of Excellence on cyber security, aimed at sharing best practices among members and allies. Japan has just joined the center, as it fears the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo could be targeted. Henry Ridgwell traveled to Tallinn and has this report.
NATO Summit Declaration mentions cyber disinformation for first time
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted an ‘extraordinary relationship’ between the U.S. and Russia following a summit in Helsinki Monday with Vladimir Putin. In Europe, there is growing alarm at the U.S. President’s willingness to build relations with Moscow, even as Russia stands accused of forcefully annexing Crimea from Ukraine, downing Flight MH17, and using a nerve agent on British soil to target a former spy, among many other accusations. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Estonia fears Russian incursion after Crimea annexation
Just across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki, where U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will meet for a much-anticipated summit Monday, Estonia is watching events unfold with growing alarm. The country was once a Soviet Republic, but now hosts NATO forces aimed at deterring any Russian incursions. As Henry Ridgwell reports, Moscow's annexation of Crimea and other actions against Ukraine have left front-line Baltic states nervous of any rapprochement with Russia.
Thousands mobilized in London for street protests against President Donald Trump's first visit to Britain since taking office nearly 18 months ago. VOA's Henry Ridgwell reports.
Sharp divisions over who should pay for Europe's defense have overshadowed the opening of the NATO summit in Brussels, after U.S. President Donald Trump accused European allies of taking advantage of American taxpayers. The United States spends around 3.5 percent of GDP on defense, far higher than other member states, and provides about 70 percent of NATO's budget. As Henry Ridgwell reports from the summit, European allies have hit back at claims they are not pulling their weight.
Trump suggests NATO nations increase defense spending to 4 percent of GDP
Judicial reform remains key stumbling block to closer relations between Ukraine and the EU
Corruption and the conflict with Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine's east will top the agenda at a European Union summit with Ukraine on Monday in Brussels. As Henry Ridgwell reports, the EU is pressuring Kyiv to make deeper reforms, but it is also facing disillusionment among some Ukrainians over the perceived benefits of closer ties with Europe.
British protests, a NATO meeting, trade tariffs and a meeting with Putin could cloud the agenda
Donald Trump is set to arrive in Britain July 12 in his first trip as U.S. president to one of America's oldest allies, although it is not a state visit. As Henry Ridgwell reports from London, the strength of the so-called special relationship has been tested in recent months — and thousands are preparing to take to the streets to demonstrate against the visit.
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