December 13, 2020 – Page 3 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

EU

Stockholm schools send pupils home amid warnings of overstretched intensive care wards due to Covid-19

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

Schools in Stockholm will send home all pupils aged 14-16 for remote learning until 2021 in a bid to hold back a second wave of coronavirus. The Swedish capital had issued a call for help over its strained intensive care capacity … Read More >Stockholm schools send pupils home amid warnings of overstretched intensive care wards due to Covid-19

EU

Father & Mother no more? Sweden considers introduction of gender-neutral terms for parents to suit ‘rainbow families’

Posted on December 13, 2020By Editor

Sweden is looking to revamp its Parental Code, making it more gender-neutral. The legislation, based on the traditional family, is largely obsolete because modern families “look different,” the country’s equality minister claims. … Read More >Father & Mother no more? Sweden considers introduction of gender-neutral terms for parents to suit ‘rainbow families’

EU

EU to discuss arms sales to Turkey with NATO and new US administration, Germany’s Merkel says

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

The EU will consult with allies in the US-led NATO bloc and new US administration on weapon sales to Turkey, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in response to a Greek push for an arms embargo on Ankara. … Read More >EU to discuss arms sales to Turkey with NATO and new US administration, Germany’s Merkel says

EU

EU calls for ‘responsible cooperation’ with Turkey over migration as bloc seeks to build relations with Ankara

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

Speaking after a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, European Council President Charles Michel said that the EU is ready to work with Turkey to address migration issues. … Read More >EU calls for ‘responsible cooperation’ with Turkey over migration as bloc seeks to build relations with Ankara

Beijing lambasts US record on human rights and labels Washington’s inference in China as ‘hypocrisy’

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has blasted the US’s interference in Beijing’s domestic affairs on the grounds of human rights, after Washington’s embassy in China called on Chinese citizens to “boldly stand up” for their rights. … Read More >Beijing lambasts US record on human rights and labels Washington’s inference in China as ‘hypocrisy’

US agrees to return 12 military sites to South Korea, but cleanup costs issue remains unresolved

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

After years of squabbling over the issue, the US returned 12 American military sites to South Korea on Friday. The move unblocks development efforts, but talks will continue on who will shoulder environmental cleanup costs. … Read More >US agrees to return 12 military sites to South Korea, but cleanup costs issue remains unresolved

China detains local employee of Bloomberg news bureau in Beijing, starts ‘national security’ probe

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

Chinese authorities have detained Haze Fan, a local member of staff at the Bloomberg News bureau in Beijing, saying they suspect her of endangering national security. … Read More >China detains local employee of Bloomberg news bureau in Beijing, starts ‘national security’ probe

World

‘Not an ordinary country’: Erdogan says US sanctions over S-400s ‘disrespectful’ to crucial NATO ally

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said imposing US sanctions on Ankara over its purchase of Russian-made S-400 air defense missile systems would be a sign of disrespect for Washington’s vital ally. … Read More >‘Not an ordinary country’: Erdogan says US sanctions over S-400s ‘disrespectful’ to crucial NATO ally

Hong Kong activist found guilty of desecrating Chinese flag after becoming ‘first person arrested’ under new security law

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

A student thought to be the first person arrested under a new national security law passed in June has been found guilty of desecrating the national flag during a street clash with a pro-government group. … Read More >Hong Kong activist found guilty of desecrating Chinese flag after becoming ‘first person arrested’ under new security law

World

Iran slams Erdogan after Turkish leader recites poem claiming Iranian provinces are part of Republic of Azerbaijan

Posted on December 13, 2020December 13, 2020By Editor

Iran’s FM has blasted the Turkish president after he recited a controversial poem, which laments the separation of the historic region of Azerbaijan between Iran and the Republic of Azerbaijan, during a victory parade in Baku. … Read More >Iran slams Erdogan after Turkish leader recites poem claiming Iranian provinces are part of Republic of Azerbaijan