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☆ Sweden to boost security controls after Koran burnings
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

STOCKHOLM, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Threats to Sweden have increased after recent Koran burnings, the country's government said on Tuesday, adding that it would strengthen border and internal controls and give police wider authority to stop and search people as a result. More Koran burnings took place on Monday and both countries said they were examining ways to legally limit such acts in a bid to de-escalate tensions. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the security situation in Sweden was complex, not least because of its delayed accession to NATO. On Monday, the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened in an extraordinary session to discuss the recent developments and strongly condemned the Koran burnings. "It is not the case that Sweden is adapting itself in the light of other countries' demands on Sweden.

Persons: Ulf Kristersson, Kristersson, Johan Ahlander, Simon Johnson, Terje Solsvik, Lincoln, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Nordic, NATO, of Islamic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Denmark, Swedish, Stockholm, Oslo

☆ Sweden to present security measures amid Koran burning crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

OSLO, Aug 1 (Reuters) - The Swedish government said on Tuesday it would present measures to protect its citizens amid growing concerns in both Sweden and Denmark that the Koran burning crisis could lead to attacks. Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Justice Minister Gunnar Stromer will on Tuesday hold a press conference to discuss the security situation and present "measures to protect Swedish citizens", the government said without providing detail. It also said in a statement after the meeting ended that it called upon member states to take appropriate action, whether political or economic, in countries where the Koran is being desecrated. After the meeting, the Danish and Swedish foreign ministers separately wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that they would continue their dialogue with the OIC. Reporting by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Lincoln FeastOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ulf Kristersson, Gunnar Stromer, Terje Solsvik, Lincoln Organizations: Nordic, Police Security, Intelligence Service, Monday, DR, of Islamic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: OSLO, Swedish, Sweden, Denmark, Danish

☆ Aircraft lessors set for June 2024 trial over Russia insurance claims
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photoDUBLIN, July 31 (Reuters) - Some of the world's largest aircraft lessors and insurers are aiming to be ready to go to trial in June 2024 over contested insurance claims for aircraft stuck in Russia, a lawyer for one of the lessors said on Monday. Those steps include finding a venue large enough for the 180 attendees Smith said were expected at the trial each day. Justice Denis McDonald told a packed hearing last month that no court in Ireland was large enough to hear the case. The world's biggest aircraft lessor, Irish-based AerCap (AER.N), is pursuing its insurance claims through London's High Court. AerCap's Chief Financial Officer said on Monday that it continued to have discussions with Russian insurers on a potential settlement regarding some of its aircraft stranded in Russia.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Lessors, Kelley Smith, Avolon, Smith, Denis McDonald, we're, Peter Juhas, Padraic Halpin, Mark Potter Organizations: SMBC Aviation, REUTERS, BOC Aviation, HK, CDB Aviation, Nordic Aviation Capital, Carlyle Aviation Partners, world's, Thomson Locations: Russian, DUBLIN, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, London's

Even so, Koran burnings took place in both countries on Monday. In Denmark, anti-Muslim protesters burned the Koran outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Copenhagen, with several more planned for later in the day. The Nordic countries have deplored the burnings of the Koran but cannot prevent it under constitutional laws protecting freedom of speech. OIC foreign ministers convened in an extraordinary session on Monday to discuss the recent developments where it strongly condemned the Koran burnings. The foreign ministries of Denmark and Sweden were not immediately available for comment after the OIC meeting had ended.

Persons: Rasmussen, Tobias Billstrom, Islamophobic, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Johan Ahlander, Moaz Abd, Alaziz, Adam Makary, Marie Mannes, David Evans, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Nordic, Saudi, of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, Thomson Locations: COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Denmark, Stockholm, Iraqi, Saudi Arabian, Copenhagen, Swedish

COPENHAGEN/STOCKHOLM, July 31 (Reuters) - Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday he hoped the government's proposal to limit Koran burnings in the country would help de-escalate a growing international conflict with several Muslim countries. Denmark and Sweden have seen several protests in recent weeks where copies of the Koran have been burned, or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage in Muslim countries, which have demanded the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings. The Nordic countries have deplored the burnings of the Koran but cannot prevent it under constitutional laws protecting freedom of speech. However, both governments have now said they are considering legal changes that would allow authorities to prevent further burnings in special situations. Reporting by Nikolaj Skydsgaard in Copenhagen and Johan Ahlander in Stockholm; editing by David EvansOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Rasmussen, Tobias Billstrom, islamophobic, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Johan Ahlander, David Evans Organizations: Danish, Nordic, of Islamic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM, Denmark, Sweden, Swedish, Copenhagen, Stockholm

STOCKHOLM/FRANKFURT, July 27 (Reuters) - Sweden has the financial muscle to intervene to stem any fire sale of property from companies rushing to sell out, the head of the country's debt agency told Reuters on Thursday. Karolina Ekholm, Director General at the Debt Office, said the government had a light debt load and could afford to borrow more to intervene to buoy the property sector should a threat emerge to wider financial stability. High debts, rising interest rates and a wilting economy has produced a toxic cocktail for Sweden's commercial property companies, with several cut to junk by rating agencies. The former central bank official pointed to the government's financial clout and that it could issue debt in either euros or U.S. dollars. "It would have to be something that threatens financial stability in Sweden and so far we haven't seen any of that."

Persons: Karolina Ekholm, Ekholm, Conor Humphries Organizations: Reuters, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, AAA, Thomson Locations: STOCKHOLM, FRANKFURT, Sweden

☆ Paris company listings raise 92% less in 2023, research says, but London holds up
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON — Funds raised by companies debuting on the Paris stock exchange fell by 92% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year, according to new research, underperforming other exchanges in the region. The report shows that funds raised on the Euronext Paris declined to 32.8 million euros from 402.6 million euros over the first six months of the year. Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange raised £586.2 million ($751.7 million) through initial public offerings over the first six months of the year, flat on the same period in 2022. However, there were still signs of a more subdued investment environment, with funds raised through "further issues" — additional share offerings to raise more cash — down 36% to £3.65 billion. The number of companies listing across the main and smaller alternative investment (AIM) markets in London fell to 17 from 29.

Persons: Rob Crowley Organizations: Research, KPMG UK, CNBC, Euronext, London Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Nordic, German Deutsche, IONOS, LSE, UK Capital, KPMG Locations: Paris, Europe, Euronext Paris, London, Euronext Amsterdam, Milan, German

☆ Two protesters burn Koran in front of Iraqi embassy in Denmark
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Protesters from the "Danish Patriots" demonstrate in front of the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark July 24, 2023 Ritzau Scanpix/Thomas Sjoerup/via REUTERSCOPENHAGEN, July 24 (Reuters) - Two protesters set fire to a copy of the Koran, Islam's holy book, in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital on Monday, risking a further deterioration of relations between the two countries. Protests have raged across Iran and Iraq after Denmark and Sweden allowed the burning of the Koran under rules protecting free speech. Protesters in Iraq set alight the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday. The two protesters were from a group that calls itself "Danish Patriots", which held a similar demonstration last week and livestreamed the events on Facebook. The organiser of Monday's demonstration in Copenhagen stomped on the Koran and set it alight in a tin foil tray next to the Iraqi flag on the ground.

Persons: Ritzau Scanpix, Thomas Sjoerup, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Terje Solsvik, Nick Macfie Organizations: Danish Patriots, REUTERS, Protesters, Facebook, Nordic, Iranian, Thomson Locations: Copenhagen, Denmark, REUTERS COPENHAGEN, Iran, Iraq, Sweden, Baghdad, Copenhagen stomped

☆ Danske Bank hikes guidance, resumes dividends
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Nikolaj Skydsgaard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COPENHAGEN, July 21 (Reuters) - Danske Bank (DANSKE.CO) on Friday raised its full-year profit guidance and said it would resume paying dividends to its shareholders after posting forecast-beating earnings in the second quarter. Denmark's largest lender now expects net profit for 2023 to land in the range of 18.5 billion to 20.5 billion Danish crowns ($2.77 billion-$3.06 billion), up from an earlier estimate of between 16.5 billion and 18.5 billion crowns. Danske's net profit for the April-June quarter rose to 5 billion Danish crowns from 1.7 billion a year earlier, above analysts' expectations in a company-compiled poll of around 4.6 billion crowns. The better-than-expected results mirror those of rival Nordic banks Nordea (NDAFI.HE), SEB, DNB (DNB.OL) and Swedbank (SWEDa.ST), which beat analysts expectations when they published second-quarter results earlier this week. "The losses are lower than expected, and 1.5 billion crowns in loan loss provisions for the whole year acts as a built-in buffer for a further positive guidance change," Nordnet analyst Per Hansen said in a note.

Persons: Carsten Egeriis, Egeriis, SEB, Per Hansen, Nikolaj Skydsgaard, Tom Hogue Organizations: Danske Bank, Thomson Locations: COPENHAGEN, U.S, Denmark

STOCKHOLM, July 20 (Reuters) - Sweden-based automaker Volvo Cars (VOLCARb.ST) reported a 54% fall in second-quarter operating earnings on Thursday as the year-ago period's profit was boosted by a one-off gain, and it forecast healthy demand for its vehicles despite pricing pressures. Volvo Cars, majority-owned by China's Geely Holding (GEELY.UL), said earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) fell to 5.0 billion Swedish crowns ($488.62 million) from a year-ago 10.8 billion. Volvo said its sales performance was driven by improved production output and that it expected supply and demand to continue to normalise in the wider markets. The company added that the normalisation would bring some additional pricing pressures, but that demand for its cars were expected to be healthy despite high interest rates squeezing its customers and overall market. Volvo reiterated its guidance of solid double-digit growth in retail sales for the full year.

Persons: China's Geely, Refinitiv, Marie Mannes, Anna Ringstrom, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Volvo, China's, Thomson Locations: STOCKHOLM, Sweden, China, Gothenburg

☆ Europe's energy software startups are having a moment in the sun right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Europe's energy software startups are getting a lot of investor attention right now. Europe's energy software startups are having a moment in the sun right now. Investors are bullish that energy software could be the solution. Energy software startups have raised $427 million in the first half of the year, already eclipsing 2022's total of $369 million, per PitchBook data. This week Lithuanian solar design and planning software company PVcase raised $100 million while Dutch energy monitoring firm Sensorfact landed $28 million.

Persons: Tyler Lancaster, Lancaster Organizations: Energy, Energize Venture, Residents, Labor Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Germany, Netherlands

[1/4] President and CEO of AB Volvo Martin Lundstedt is seen on the day of the presentation of Volvo Group's Q2 2023 earnings report, in Gothenburg, Sweden, July 19, 2023. Adam Ihse/TT News Agency/via REUTERSCompanies Volvo AB FollowSTOCKHOLM, July 19 (Reuters) - Swedish truckmaker AB Volvo (VOLVb.ST) on Wednesday logged a better-than-expected 57% jump in second-quarter adjusted operating profit, helped by price hikes. "We have been successful in improving margins while managing cost inflation and increased disturbances in the supply chain," Chief Executive Martin Lundstedt said in a statement. Operating profit before restructuring charges and legal claims surged to 21.7 billion crowns ($2.1 billion), beating a Refinitiv consensus estimate of 18.4 billion crowns. Reporting by Marie Mannes; editing by Anna Ringstrom, Jason Neely and Edwina GibbsOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Volvo Martin Lundstedt, Adam Ihse, Martin Lundstedt, Lundstedt, Marie Mannes, Anna Ringstrom, Jason Neely, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Volvo, TT, Agency, REUTERS Companies Volvo, STOCKHOLM, truckmaker, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Gothenburg, Sweden, Europe, North America, Stockholm

☆ NATO's northernmost members are preparing for an undersea showdown with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

NATO navies worry about those subs and they've increased their focus on countering undersea threats. Nordic navies are investing in their own submarine fleets to keep track of Russia's boats. A particular concern for the alliance is Russia's submarines, many of which are assigned to those two fleets. The potential threat from Russia's undersea forces has prompted its neighbors to reevaluate their own submarine needs. But Sweden's western neighbors, Norway and Denmark, both see a need for bigger sub fleets.

Persons: Christopher Cavoli, OLGA MALTSEVA, Ronald Reagan, Fredrik Linden, Petty, Marlowe Dix, Michael Aastrup Jensen, Aastrup Jensen, HENRIK MONTGOMERY, Eirik Kristoffersen, Kristoffersen, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: NATO, Nordic, Service, Baltic, US, Command, Allied, Getty, North Atlantic, Baltic Fleet, Navy, Submarine, Reuters, Naval, Norfolk, US Navy, Hudson Institute, Getty Images, Submarines, Armed Forces, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn, Twitter Locations: Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Nordic, Gulf of Finland, St . Petersburg, AFP, Finland, North, Russia's, Kaliningrad, Russia, Baltic, Sweden, Swedish, Gotland, Blekinge, Navy Gotland, Sweden's, Norwegian Ula, Norway, Denmark, Danish, Ula, Oslo, Swedish Gotland, Halland, Stockholm

☆ There's going to be a lot less new TV for a while. And that's brilliant.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Chris Johnston | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Hollywood is facing its first strike by both writers and actors in more than six decades. It's going to mean a lot less new television this year, but that may not be such a bad thing. Almost 600 scripted TV shows were released in the United States alone last year. If that is the case, there might be a very big silver lining for us viewers: a break from the relentless release of new TV shows. Likewise with Donald Glover's often truly astonishing piece of performance art masquerading as television that's also known as "Atlanta."

Persons: they're, Jonathan Handel, you'd, I've, They're, Jeffrey Dahmer, Max, Donald Glover's, that's Organizations: Hollywood, Writers Guild of America, Netflix, Apple, Paramount, Lionsgate Locations: United States, Hollywood, Hulu

Now it is at the epicentre of a property crash that threatens to engulf the Nordic state's economy. It has said it plans on selling roughly 6 billion Swedish crowns worth of assets this year. Speculators are betting that the stock price has further to fall. SBB shares are subject to more short-selling - a bet that the stock price will drop - than any other Swedish company, according to data from the financial regulator. "If, on the other hand, the SBB will be bought up, then the small shareholders will probably lose everything."

Persons: Maria De Geer, who've, Ilija Batljan, Batljan, Robert Bergqvist, SEB, Leiv Synnes, pare, De Geer, Pablo Mayo, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: SBB, Swedish Shareholders Association, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, Asset Management, SBB Treasury Oyj, Reuters, Thomson Locations: STOCKHOLM, FRANKFURT, Sweden, Swedish, Cerqueiro, London

☆ Biden: US will defend every inch of NATO territory including Finland
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

HELSINKI, July 13 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden on Thursday called the U.S.-Nordic summit "very productive" and vowed to protect every inch of NATO territory including Finland. "The United States is committed to Finland, committed to NATO, and those commitments are rock solid," Biden said. Reporting by Steve Holland and Essi Lehto in HelsinkiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Steve Holland, Essi Organizations: NATO, Thomson Locations: HELSINKI, U.S, Finland, United States, Helsinki

☆ Morning Bid: Markets bet July 2023 is 'peak Fed'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A look at the day ahead in U.S. and global markets from Mike DolanSurprise news of a 2%-plus print on U.S. headline inflation rate for June has world markets betting the peak of the Federal Reserve's interest rate campaign will now be this month. Either way, the latest inflation cheer means U.S. rate futures have wiped out bets of another Fed rate hike after a final quarter-point move to 5.25-5.50% at July 26's meeting. Although they see peak rates held there to year-end, futures now price as much as a full percentage point of cuts by this time in 2024. The VIX "fear index" (.VIX) fell back below 14 to its lowest of the month so far. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

Persons: Mike Dolan, That's, Christopher Waller, Mary Daly, Joe Biden, Christine Lagarde, Toby Chopra Organizations: Fed, Nasdaq, PepsiCo, Delta Airlines, Bank of, Swiss, Bank of Canada, Federal Reserve, San Francisco Fed, Nordic, European Central Bank, . Treasury, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Beijing, Jackson, Fastenal, Helsinki, Brussels, Japan

HELSINKI, July 13 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden said on Thursday he expects Republicans to stand up against what he called Senator Tommy Tuberville's "ridiculous" block of top U.S. military appointments over the Pentagon's abortion policy. It was bizarre and irresponsible to inject a domestic social debate into fundamental foreign policy, Biden said in Helsinki after meeting with Nordic country leaders. I expect the Republican Party to stand up, stand up and do something about it," Biden told reporters. "I'm confident that the mainstream Republican Party no longer, does not support what he's doing, but they've got to stand up and be counted. Biden said he would be willing to talk to Tuberville if there were any possibility of changing the senator's "ridiculous position."

Persons: Joe Biden, Tommy Tuberville's, Biden, they've, Lloyd Austin, Austin, Tuberville, Biden's, Charles, CQ, Brown, David Berger, Doina Chiacu, Steve Holland, Patricia Zengerle, Frances Kerry Organizations: Pentagon, Defense Department, Republican Party, CNN, Austin, Armed Forces, Air Force, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Armed Services Committee, Marine Corps, Thomson Locations: HELSINKI, Helsinki, Alabama, Washington

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The 60+ best Prime Day deals that are still liveDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. While we've seen it for less in the past year, this is still a great deal on our top mattress. On July 11 of Prime Day 2023, this deal matches the lowest price Amazon offers on this kit. Great Price Apple MagSafe Charger This Prime Day sale is one of the best discounts we've seen on the official MagSafe charger. Lightning Deal Vitamix Explorian E310 Blender For Prime Day, the Vitamix Explorian Blender, Professional-Grade, 64 oz.

Persons: AirPods, Price, Price Roku, Max, it's, wicks, Price Apple, Fryer, fryer, Price Dyson, Dyson, Hoover, It's, Price Dell, Price LG, we've, You'll, Price Casper, Casper, Gray Organizations: Amazon Prime, Apple, Amazon, Price Apple, Walmart, OSHA, Prime, Steam, Fire, Price LG, LG, PlayStation, Google, HP, Price Samsung, Samsung, MacBook Air, Asus, Mobile, Fujifilm Locations: Birch, Sol, Cha Kyusu, Japan

Helsinki, Finland CNN —More than 500 days after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the war loomed over President Joe Biden’s weeklong, three-stop trip to Europe. Drama over Ukraine’s membershipUkraine was the top agenda item for NATO leaders in Vilnius, and the discussion of a pathway for the war-torn country to join the alliance prompted division among leaders. After meeting with Zelensky for more than an hour, Biden told reporters that he was able to reassure his Ukrainian counterpart. The former president raised the prospect of withdrawing from the alliance multiple times in 2018, The New York Times reported. I don’t think NATO’s ever been stronger,” Biden said during his meeting with Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö

Persons: Finland CNN —, Joe Biden’s weeklong, reasserting, Biden, Jens Stoltenberg, Ulf Kristersson, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Monday, Erdoğan, ”, Volodymyr Zelensky, Zelensky, Donald Trump’s, Trump’s, –, ” Biden, Trump, Rishi Sunak, King Charles III, Putin, “, Stoltenberg, Wang Wenbin, Biden “, “ I’ve, Sauli Niinistö Organizations: Finland CNN, Russia, NATO, Zelensky, Vilnius University, Nordic, Senate, The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry, Microsoft, House, Lithuania, State, Government Locations: Helsinki, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, Washington, Turkey, Sweden, Ankara, Vilnius, London, Finnish, China, Beijing, Asia, Indonesia, Hiroshima

☆ Opinion: As NATO shows unity, Putin has himself to thank
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

One was taking control of Ukraine, which he claimed has no right to exist; the other was weakening NATO. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of its neighbor strengthened Ukrainians’ sense of nationhood and led to the expansion of NATO on Russia’s border. Putin can still take some solace in the intense disagreements inside NATO prior to the summit over whether or not Ukraine should be granted membership. There’s a strong case to be made that if Ukraine joins while Russia’s invasion continues, NATO allies could be required to enter the war. The argument that Ukraine should not be allowed into NATO because it would provoke Putin holds little sway.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Putin, Jens Stoltenberg, Ukraine “, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, “ We’re, Joe Biden, ”, Zelensky, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden, That’s, outlast Putin, “ Putin, Erdogan’s, Erdogan, Turkey’s, Yevgeny Prigozhin Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, NATO, Frida Ghitis CNN, Nordic, European, Kremlin, Kyiv, US, Zelensky, Twitter, Azov Locations: Vilnius, Lithuania, Turkish, Sweden, Ukraine, Finland, Russia, Russia’s, Ukrainian, Russian, Kyiv, Moscow, Central Europe, Kremlin, Istanbul, Turkey, Mariupol

☆ Turkey eyes recalibration with the West as Russia’s isolation grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Zeena Saifi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

His delicate balancing act has given Turkey a unique position of being the only NATO nation whose ear Russia has. “By backing Sweden’s NATO bid…Ankara is signaling a recalibration in ties with the West, which have been strained for a while now,” said Memet Celik, editorial coordinator for the pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper. “In a larger sense, Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine reminded the West of the importance of geography, hard military power, and alliance commitments – and thus the value of Turkey,” he said. Turkey, however, is likely to continue to be relevant to both Russia and the West. “Due to proximity, power, and relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, Turkey will be a key player in conflict resolution and whatever peace deal ultimately emerges,” said Outzen.

Persons: CNN —, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, ”, Memet Celik, Joe Biden, Washington, Biden, Tuesday’s, ” Erdogan, Rich Outzen, –, “, ” Viktor Bondarev, Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia’s ‘, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Putin’s, Outzen, Russia’s “, Ukraine ”, Sinan Ulgen, Erdogan’s, Russia aren’t Organizations: CNN, Nordic, European Union, NATO, …, Daily, West, White House, Atlantic Council, Ukraine, “, Ankara, Russia’s Federation, Committee, Defense, Security, Putin, Kyiv Locations: NATO, Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Turkey, Turkish, … Ankara, Daily Sabah, Vilnius, Lithuania, Ankara, “, “ Ankara, Istanbul, “ Turkey, Celik

☆ Riikka Purra: Finnish finance minister apologizes for racist and violent comments made online in 2008
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Zahid Mahmood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Finnish finance minister Riikka Purra has apologized after she made racist comments in 2008 that were recently discovered online. The leader of the far-right Finns Party said her old comments were “stupid” and that she was sorry for the harm they had caused. Purra’s Finns Party won second place in April’s elections, finishing behind Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s National Coalition Party, before forming a coalition. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said his government was committed to combating racism. “Our immigration policy is legitimate and legal and there is nothing wrong or suspicious about it,” Purra added on Twitter.

Persons: Riikka Purra, “, ” Purra, ”, Petteri, Orpo, Petteri Orpo, Ksenia Kuleshova, ” Orpo, Purra Organizations: CNN, Finns Party, Purra’s Finns Party, Finnish, National Coalition Party, Bloomberg, Getty, Swedish People’s Party, Christian, Twitter Locations: Spain, Finnish, Finland, Nordic

☆ Analysis: Biden got almost everything he wanted from the NATO summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —President Joe Biden got almost everything he wanted from the NATO summit. President Joe Biden speaks at Vilnius University in Vilnius, Lithuania, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, after attending the NATO Summit. On Wednesday for instance, Russia marked the NATO summit by launching airstrikes against Kyiv region. US President Joe Biden (R) attends a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023. That President Biden and NATO didn’t invite Ukraine to NATO because he’s afraid of Russia?” Kaleniuk asked.

Persons: Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky, craves, “ It’s, ” Biden, Zelensky, Biden, “, ” Zelensky, Russia –, Putin, NATO’s, craven, Susan Walsh, –, Donald Trump, Mike Pence, Vladimir Putin, Jeff Flake, Fumio Kishida, barnstormed, ANDREW CABALLERO, REYNOLDS, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, Jake Sullivan, Daria Kaleniuk, ” Kaleniuk, Sullivan, Dmitry Peskov, Ukraine –, William Burns, he’d, ” Organizations: CNN, NATO, Poignantly, Russia, Congress, Nordic, Biden, Vilnius University, Ukraine, Capitol, Republican, Japanese, GOP, ” Ukraine, AFP, Getty, “, NATO didn’t, Kremlin, CIA Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Soviet, Europe, Sweden, Finland, Kyiv, Lithuania, Vilnius, Western, Crimea, US, Ankara, Turkey, AFP, Ukrainian, NATO, Moscow, Russian

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