NEWS OF THE DAY
From Around the World
Media threat: The longtime leader of Belarus warned Thursday that Western media could be expelled from the country over what he described as their “tendentious” coverage of the presidential election next month in which he is seeking a sixth term. President Alexander Lukashenko, 65 became the first president of Belarus 26 years ago and has remained in office ever since, relentlessly quashing dissent in the exSoviet nation and extending his rule through elections that Western observers have criticized as rigged. Lukashenko singled out two broadcasters for criticism, alleging that “tendentious” reporting by Britain’s BBC and the U.S.funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty had encouraged riots.
Maritime dispute: Greece warned Thursday it will do “whatever is necessary” to defend its sovereign rights in response to plans by neighboring Turkey to proceed with an oilandgas research mission south of Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean. The dispute over seabed mineral rights has led to increased navy deployments by both NATO members in the region, where a Turkish research vessel is being prepared for a survey mission. Turkey has drawn growing criticism from Western allies, with French President Emmanuel Macron joining calls for European Union sanctions against Ankara if the dispute escalates further.
Brexit talks: Negotiators working to establish new trade relations between Britain and the European Union admitted Thursday there was a long way to go despite progress being made in the complex talks. In comments delivered at the end of the latest round of talks, British negotiator David Frost said it was clear that an agreement on fundamental principles would not be reached this month as a basis for going forward. While EU proposals were welcome, Frost said substantial areas of disagreement remain, particularly on questions of fair and open competition and fishing. Britain left the political institutions of the EU on Jan. 31 but remains inside the EU’s tarifffree economic zone until the end of the year.
Pakistan bombing: At least 20 people were wounded when a bomb went off at a busy openair market in northwestern Pakistan on Thursday, police said. The bombing in the town of Parachinar happened as people were buying fruits and vegetables from vendors, police said. The victims, some of them in critical condition, have been taken to hospital. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in this majority Shiite town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. The town has been targeted by Sunni militants several times in recent years, leaving dozens dead. The province’s former tribal regions have long served as hideouts for the Taliban and other militants. The government and the army claim they have cleared the area in recent years but there have still been occasional attacks.
Israel protests: The largely ceremonial president lashed out Thursday at squabbling members of Benjamin Netanyahu’s socalled unity government, beseeching them to quit bickering during a time of national emergency. Reuven Rivlin’s tweet comes amid a wave of angry protests against Netanyahu for his perceived mismanagement of the country’s deepening public health and economic crisis. Israel is now suffering a peak of some 2,000 cases a day while unemployment has soared above 20%. The government, established in May after three inconclusive elections, was formed with the goal of countering the crisis. Yet, it has been mostly characterized by internal fighting, contradictory policies and questionable legislation under the shadow of Netanyahu’s upcoming corruption trial.
Chronicle News Services