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Biden heaps praise on Slovenia PM for aiding release of Americans in major US-Russia prisoner swap
Read full article: Biden heaps praise on Slovenia PM for aiding release of Americans in major US-Russia prisoner swapPresident Joe Biden heaped praise on Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob during an Oval Office meeting for his key role in a recent seven-nation prisoner swap.
Slovenia's populist leader loses power as trend continues
Read full article: Slovenia's populist leader loses power as trend continuesOnly months ago, Robert Golob was virtually unknown in politics, didn’t belong to any party, but had a clear goal: remove Slovenian populist Prime Minister Janez Jansa from power and stop a democratic backslide in the tiny Alpine state.
Opposition wins Slovenia vote, defeating right-wing populist
Read full article: Opposition wins Slovenia vote, defeating right-wing populistEarly official results of Sunday's parliamentary election in Slovenia show that an opposition liberal party convincingly won, in a major defeat for populist Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who was accused of pushing the small European Union country to the right while in office.
Slovenia to hold election amid divisions over populist path
Read full article: Slovenia to hold election amid divisions over populist pathWhen he visited Ukraine last month with two other European leaders, Prime Minister Janez Jansa of Slovenia hoped to show solidarity with the war-stricken nation and to attract support at home ahead of what is expected to be a close parliamentary election.
Putin's demand for ruble payments? No way! say EU nations
Read full article: Putin's demand for ruble payments? No way! say EU nationsPresident Vladimir Putin’s threat to have “unfriendly” countries pay for Russian natural gas exports only in rubles from now on has got the not-so-friendly treatment from European Union nations.
Back from Kyiv, leaders seek peace mission, arms for Ukraine
Read full article: Back from Kyiv, leaders seek peace mission, arms for UkraineThe prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia have safely returned to Central Europe after visiting Kyiv to show support for Ukraine as it defends itself from Russia’s military invasion.
3 EU prime ministers visit Kyiv as Russian attacks intensify
Read full article: 3 EU prime ministers visit Kyiv as Russian attacks intensifyThe prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia have traveled by train to Kyiv and met with President Volodymy Zelenskyy in a show of support for Ukraine.
Slovenia PM blames rising infections on virus protesters
Read full article: Slovenia PM blames rising infections on virus protestersSlovenia’s populist prime minister has blamed a rise in COVID-19 infections on protests in early October that erupted in clashes between police and thousands of opponents of vaccines and coronavirus restrictions.
Afghan 'wake-up call' breeds support for EU military force
Read full article: Afghan 'wake-up call' breeds support for EU military forceSenior European Union officials say the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan and the rushed airlift operation out of the country have highlighted the EU's need for its own rapid-reaction military force.
Slovenia PM accuses EU official of lying over rule of law
Read full article: Slovenia PM accuses EU official of lying over rule of lawSlovenia Prime Minister Janez Janša has accused a European Union official of being a liar in the wake of the publication of an annual report on adherence to the rule of law in the bloc.
EU says democratic standards under threat in Poland, Hungary
Read full article: EU says democratic standards under threat in Poland, HungaryThe European Union's executive Commission says democratic standards in the bloc are eroding in several member countries, particularly in Hungary and Poland where judicial independence is under threat.
Slovenian PM says water referendum defeat no reason to quit
Read full article: Slovenian PM says water referendum defeat no reason to quitSlovenia’s right-wing prime minister has brushed off opposition calls for his government's resignation in the wake of a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly rejected changes to a water management law.
Iran anger at US, European support for opposition group
Read full article: Iran anger at US, European support for opposition groupThe Iranian government has expressed anger over the appearance of senior European and U.S. politicians at a rally in support of an opposition group that has long sought to overthrow Iran’s theocratic rulers.
EU chair Slovenia to stay on liberal course, president says
Read full article: EU chair Slovenia to stay on liberal course, president saysSlovenia’s president Borut Pahor has rejected in an interview with the AP that the increasingly autocratic policies of the country’s government could hurt its upcoming European Union presidency, saying the small Alpine state will stay on its traditional liberal course.
Terraces of France's cafes, restaurants, to open next month
Read full article: Terraces of France's cafes, restaurants, to open next monthPresident Emmanuel Macron says outdoor terraces of France’s cafes and restaurants will be allowed to reopen on May 19 along with museums, cinemas, theaters and concert halls under certain conditions.
Hungary sticks to veto of EU budget over rule-of-law issue
Read full article: Hungary sticks to veto of EU budget over rule-of-law issueHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Poland are currently using their EU vetos to stop a 1.8 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery package from taking effect. They say they will continue doing so as long as other EU nations maintain their commitment to including the rule of law mechanism in the budget — and they got strong backing from Slovenia on Wednesday. The issue is set to become a major dispute at Thursday's EU video summit of the leaders of the 27 member nations. All EU nations badly need the money as coronavirus infections and deaths surge around Europe and economies are ravaged by both increased health care demands and lockdowns to slow the pace of contamination. Orban claimed Wednesday that the dispute was linked to his restrictive views on immigration, which are unpopular in some EU circles.
World leaders hope for fresh start after Biden win
Read full article: World leaders hope for fresh start after Biden winOther leaders who supported Trump, including President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, congratulated Biden, indicating they rejected Trump’s claim the election wasn’t over. Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia told reporters he looked forward to a “great partnership” with Washington. Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan said he looked forward to working together to end illegal tax havens and on peacemaking in Afghanistan. Others expressed hope Biden will help to heal divisions in American society and global politics. Prime Minister Janez Jansa was the only leader who congratulated Trump even before all votes were counted and showed support after Biden’s win was announced.
Slovenian premier endorses Trump's reelection, joins others
Read full article: Slovenian premier endorses Trump's reelection, joins othersLJUBLJANA – Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s reelection on Friday, saying Joe Biden would be a weak leader. With a tweet, Jansa added his name to a list of regional leaders who have openly supported Trump during the election campaign. Go, win, Donald Trump,” Jansa said. Also Friday, the Serb member of Bosnia's three-member presidency, Milorad Dodik, urged Serbs living in the U.S. to vote for Trump. Right-wing conservatives in Eastern and Central Europe, like Orban, Vucic and Jansa, have sometimes copied Trump’s style of leadership.
The Latest: Ireland sets new virus restrictions for 6 weeks
Read full article: The Latest: Ireland sets new virus restrictions for 6 weeks(AP Photo/Anupam Nath)LONDON — Ireland’s government is putting the country at its highest level of coronavirus restrictions for six weeks in a bid to combat a rise in infections. The board members hail from top California top universities and medical providers, along with state and local public health officials. ___AUSTIN, Texas -- Health officials in Texas have reported 4,319 COVID-19 hospital patients, the most since Aug. 28. Khan’s remarks come amid a slight increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths in recent weeks. Pakistan also reported 440 new confirmed cases, raising its total cases to 323,452 since February when Pakistan reported its first case.
Pompeo, in Slovenia, pushes 5G security, warns about China
Read full article: Pompeo, in Slovenia, pushes 5G security, warns about ChinaSlovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, right, shakes hands with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ahead of their meeting in Bled, Slovenia, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. Pompeo is on a five-day visit to central Europe with a hefty agenda including China's role in 5G network construction. On the second leg of a four-nation tour of central and eastern Europe, Pompeo was meeting Slovenian officials in the mountain lake town of Bled on Thursday. He is to sign a joint declaration on 5G Clean Network Security that aims to keep untrusted telecoms vendors out. Besides the 5G declaration, Pompeo will be discussing energy security with Slovenia's president and prime minister.
Serbia sends mixed signals on virus lockdown after clashes
Read full article: Serbia sends mixed signals on virus lockdown after clashesSebian police officers disperse protesters in front of Serbian parliament building in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Opponents blame the autocratic Serbian leader of contributing to the spike in deaths and new cases after he lifted the previous lockdown measures. On Wednesday, Vucic appeared to backtrack on his new lockdown plans that were to take effect during the coming weekend. Kon said the protest on Tuesday evening showed how people feel about the possibility of total lockdown in Belgrade during the weekend. He said the virus' spread has to be curbed and lockdown is the easiest way.