Germany’s Merkel says Brexit extension could be longer than what May has asked for
It’s a clear giveaway at this point

- We should give the UK a reasonable period of time
- But EU institutions must be able to function without disruption
[Disclaimer]

Nurses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have started a nationwide strike in the largest action of its kind in NHS history. Staff will continue to provide “life-preserving” and some urgent care but routine surgery and other planned treatment is likely to be disrupted. The Royal College of Nursing said staff had been given no…
Russia has strongly criticised the visit to Washington by Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing the US of fighting an indirect war against it. President Joe Biden has pledged $1.85bn (£1.45bn) of military aid for Ukraine – including an advanced missile system to help guard against Russian attacks. In a defiant address to US lawmakers, Mr Zelensky…
June 29 (Reuters) – Ethiopia, one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, has asked to join the BRICS bloc of emerging markets, the foreign ministry said on Thursday. The term BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill in 2001 to describe the rise of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The BRIC powers had their first…
Fierce battles rage in Ukraine’s eastern and northeastern border where Russian forces claimed to have seized at least nine villages since their Friday surprise counteroffensive that has opened a new war front into the Kharkiv region. Russia “carried out 22 assaults” in five border areas Sunday, 14 of which were still ongoing, the Ukrainian army…
Edan Alexander, the last living American held hostage by Hamas, was freed from Gaza Monday — more than 19 months after he was taken captive. Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American citizen from New Jersey, was turned over to the Israeli military after Red Cross officials secured him from the militant group just after 7:30 p.m. local…
LONDON (AP) — The Church of England said Wednesday it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time but same-sex couples still will not be allowed to marry in its churches. The decision followed five years of debate and consultation on the church’s position on sexuality. It is expected to be outlined…