Germany asks European Union to share burden as more refugees arrive
Germany told its European partners on Monday that they must take in more refugees too, saying the burden could not fall on just a few countries. Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking after a weekend in which 20,000 migrants made their way to Germany from Hungary by train described the events of the past days as breathtaking and tried to reassure German citizens that the crisis was manageable. "I am happy that Germany has become a country that many people outside of Germany now associate with hope," she said at a news conference in Berlin. "This is something to cherish when you look back at our history," she added.
France prepares for air strikes against Islamic State in Syria
France will launch surveillance flights over Syria with a view to conducting airstrikes on Islamic State positions, French President Francois Hollande said. He made the announcement saying he had instructed French defence ministry to begin operations on Tuesday. "What we want is to know what is being prepared against us and what is being done against the Syrian population," he said. France has so far only carried out airstrikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq.
Spain closes deal to supply Iranian natural gas to Europe
Spain has reached an agreement to ship Iranian natural gas to Europe, in the wake of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers that has seen crippling economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic lifted. The deal came amid a series of meetings between Iranian authorities and an economic trade delegation of 70 Spanish companies. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh met with Spanish Industry, Energy, and Tourism Minister Jose Manuel Soria and declared Iran’s willingness to develop the infrastructure Spain needs to supply Europe with gas from the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world, which is jointly owned by Iran and Qatar. “In the meeting we explained Iran’s facilities and programs for development of oil, gas, and petrochemical industries to the Spanish companies and they expressed their interest to cooperate in these fields,” Zanganeh said.
UN security council is failing Syria: Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Organisation's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon admitted on Monday that UN security council is failing Syria because of big power divisions which have prevented action to end a conflict that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives and driven the biggest refugee exodus in a generation. He said that Russia and China should look beyond national interest and stop blocking security council action on the conflict in Syria as the flow of refugees to Europe reaches unprecedented levels. “We need some solidarity, unity of purpose, particularly among the permanent members of the security council,” he said.
Bangkok suspect confesses over explosives
One of the two men arrested over last month's deadly Bangkok bombing has admitted to the charge of possessing explosives on Monday. Thai police say that Yusufu Mieraili was arrested last week near the border with Cambodia. "We have informed him of the charge. He acknowledged and confessed to the charge," national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said. Police have not revealed his nationality, although he was caught in possession of a Chinese passport with a birthplace listed as Xinjiang.
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Germany told its European partners on Monday that they must take in more refugees too, saying the burden could not fall on just a few countries. Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking after a weekend in which 20,000 migrants made their way to Germany from Hungary by train described the events of the past days as breathtaking and tried to reassure German citizens that the crisis was manageable. "I am happy that Germany has become a country that many people outside of Germany now associate with hope," she said at a news conference in Berlin. "This is something to cherish when you look back at our history," she added.
France prepares for air strikes against Islamic State in Syria
France will launch surveillance flights over Syria with a view to conducting airstrikes on Islamic State positions, French President Francois Hollande said. He made the announcement saying he had instructed French defence ministry to begin operations on Tuesday. "What we want is to know what is being prepared against us and what is being done against the Syrian population," he said. France has so far only carried out airstrikes against IS in neighbouring Iraq.
Spain closes deal to supply Iranian natural gas to Europe
Spain has reached an agreement to ship Iranian natural gas to Europe, in the wake of a nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers that has seen crippling economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic lifted. The deal came amid a series of meetings between Iranian authorities and an economic trade delegation of 70 Spanish companies. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh met with Spanish Industry, Energy, and Tourism Minister Jose Manuel Soria and declared Iran’s willingness to develop the infrastructure Spain needs to supply Europe with gas from the South Pars gas field, the largest in the world, which is jointly owned by Iran and Qatar. “In the meeting we explained Iran’s facilities and programs for development of oil, gas, and petrochemical industries to the Spanish companies and they expressed their interest to cooperate in these fields,” Zanganeh said.
UN security council is failing Syria: Ban Ki-moon
United Nations Organisation's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon admitted on Monday that UN security council is failing Syria because of big power divisions which have prevented action to end a conflict that has cost hundreds of thousands of lives and driven the biggest refugee exodus in a generation. He said that Russia and China should look beyond national interest and stop blocking security council action on the conflict in Syria as the flow of refugees to Europe reaches unprecedented levels. “We need some solidarity, unity of purpose, particularly among the permanent members of the security council,” he said.
Bangkok suspect confesses over explosives
One of the two men arrested over last month's deadly Bangkok bombing has admitted to the charge of possessing explosives on Monday. Thai police say that Yusufu Mieraili was arrested last week near the border with Cambodia. "We have informed him of the charge. He acknowledged and confessed to the charge," national police spokesman Prawut Thavornsiri said. Police have not revealed his nationality, although he was caught in possession of a Chinese passport with a birthplace listed as Xinjiang.
