Europe

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain unveiled a negotiating mandate on Thursday for talks with the European Union that puts it on a collision course with Brussels, saying it was ready to walk away if “good progress” was not made by June.

After officially leaving the EU last month, Britain has until the end of the year to negotiate a trade deal and agreements on everything from fishing to transport, to replace more than 40 years of closely aligned political and economic relations.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday noted Britain’s negotiating mandate published earlier but, making clear sharp divergences ahead of talks starting next week, said the bloc would stick to the political declaration agreed last year.

“We take note of the UK’s mandate published today and will discuss our respective positions on Monday,” Barnier said in a tweet.

“We will stick to all our prior commitments in the Political Declaration. We want an ambitious & fair partnership with the UK in the future.”

LONDON (Reuters) - The expansion of Heathrow Airport was declared unlawful by an appeal court judge on Thursday, a major setback for the $18 billion project that could prompt the British government to pull its support for a third runway.

The new runway was approved by the government in 2018, but British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously opposed expanding Heathrow, Britain and Europe’s busiest airport.

27 Feb 2020; MEMO: The Russian Foreign Ministry ruled out the possibility of achieving a permanent settlement in the Middle East as a result of the US drafted Middle East “peace plan” to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict dubbed the “deal of the century”.

Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said: “The instability between Israel and Palestine is one of the main factors for instability in the region.”

New Delhi, Feb 27 (PTI) The International Boxing Association (AIBA) on Thursday cancelled the European leg of its continental forum in Italy, citing the novel coronavirus outbreak in that country.

The forum was scheduled to be held on Saturday in Assisi, where the Indian boxing team is currently participating in a preparatory camp for next month's Olympic qualifiers in Jordan.

LONDON, Feb 27 (NNN-Xinhua) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a major review of the country’s post-Brexit approach to defense, security and international development, which will define and overhaul Britain’s place in the world.

Described as the largest review of Britain’s foreign, defense, security and development policy since the end of the Cold War, it will cover all aspects of Britain’s place in the world, from diplomatic service and the country’s approach to development to the capabilities of its armed forces and security agencies.

BERLIN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- After the xenophobic shooting in Hanau that killed nine people, German politicians across most parties have sharply criticized growing right-wing extremism in their Ash Wednesday speeches.

The so-called "political Ash Wednesday" in Germany takes place every year after the carnival season. On this day, the country's leading politicians traditionally hold speeches and engage in verbal disputes with rival parties.

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish government said Wednesday it was canceling two upcoming performances by Plácido Domingo in Madrid to show support for the women who have accused him of misconduct and take a stand against sexual harassment, becoming the first in Europe to cancel on the megastar since allegations surfaced last year in the United States.

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/: Russia will suspend air service with South Korea, except Aeroflot flights, starting March 1, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, who leads the coronavirus prevention task force, informed on Wednesday.

MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/: Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported the proposal to ban high ranking officials, including ministers, senators and governors, from having foreign assets and bank accounts abroad and suggested expanding the list of such individuals to include the head of state.

"I fully agree. However, all officials need to be mentioned, including the head of state, the country’s president. Therefore, I suggest that this official be added to it as well," Putin said at a meeting with the working group to draft amendments to the Constitution.