Europe

Russian Defense Ministry's aviation extinguishes wildfires on 113,000 hectares

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/: Russian Defense Ministry's aviation has extinguished 84 wildfires on the territory of 113,000 hectares in Siberia in the last two days, the ministry's press service said on Friday.

"Russian Defense Ministry's aviation extinguished 84 wildfires on the territory of 113,000 hectares in Krasnoyarsk and Irkutsk regions in the last two days," the press service said.

Mongolia's agreement with US will not affect relations with Moscow, Beijing — expert

MOSCOW, August 2. /TASS/: The declaration on strategic partneship between Ulaanbaatar and Washington signed during Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga's visit to the United States represents a political gesture aimed at demonstrating growing international support for Mongolia, chairman of the Valdai International Discussion Club Andrey Systritsky told TASS on Friday.

Bangladeshi women in Italy fight for gender rights

03 August 2019; DW: The Bangladeshi community in Italy is the second largest in Europe. However, many women are still struggling to acclimatize, not least because of their husbands. Michele Bertelli reports from Rome.

As soon as the sun fades behind the concrete blocks surrounding Malatesta Square, groups of women dressed in colorful shalwar trousers emerge, seeking some relief from the warm Italian summer.

France: Plane fighting forest fire crashes, killing pilot

03 August 2019; DW: A pilot of a firefighting plane has died after his plane crashed while battling a forest fire in southern France. The fire has been blazing for several days and has ravaged nearly 800 hectares in the region.

A firefighting plane battling a forest fire near the southern French commune of Generac crashed on Friday, killing its pilot, local authorities said.

Von der Leyen calls for EU migration pact in Italy

03 August 2019; DW: The incoming head of the European Commission said "effective and humane" measures are needed to solve the thorny issue of migration. Italy in particular has been calling for the EU's asylum rules to be changed.

Ursula von der Leyen, the next leader of the European Commission, called for a new EU migration deal on Friday during a visit to Rome.

Drones could be used in terror attacks, EU security chief fears

03 August 2019; DW: As drones become smarter, they could be harnessed by terrorists to carry out deadly attacks, the EU commissioner has warned. One scenario involves the aircraft spreading biological agents over a football stadium.

The European Commission on Saturday warned about the potential use of drones to carry out terrorist attacks.

Europe pushes World Bank official Georgieva for top IMF job

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — European governments have decided to put forward World Bank official Kristalina Georgieva from Bulgaria as their candidate to replace Christine Lagarde as head of the Washington-based International Monetary Fund.

Georgieva prevailed in a vote Friday among EU governments over former Netherlands finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, according to tweets from French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Boris Johnson’s party suffers defeat in UK special election

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s governing Conservative Party lost a special election early Friday, leaving it with a one-vote working majority in Parliament as Brexit looms.

In the Conservatives’ first electoral test since Johnson became prime minister nine days ago, the party was defeated for the seat of Brecon and Radnorshire in Wales by Jane Dodds of the opposition Liberal Democrats. Dodds won 43% of the vote, while Conservative Chris Davies, who was fighting to retain the seat after being convicted and fined for expenses fraud, got 39%.

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