CYPRUS: Defence minister Vasilis Palmas announced plans today to build a major naval base capable of hosting large ships to carry out missions including humanitarian aid deliveries to the Middle East.

Mr Palmas told reporters that Cyprus’s geopolitical role as the European Union’s closest member to the Middle East warranted infrastructure that can support policies geared toward the region.

UZBEKISTAN: More than 25 human rights groups are calling on Uzbekistan’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev to veto a proposed law that would allow foreigners to be deported or blocked from entry if they are deemed undesirable.

The Bill says foreigners may be declared undesirable if they make public statements or actions that pose a threat to Uzbekistan’s security, provoke racial or religious enmity, or discredit Uzbeks’ dignity and history.

EUROPE: The European Commission did not allow the public enough access to information about Covid-19 vaccine purchase agreements it secured with pharmaceutical companies during the pandemic, the EU general court said today.

A group of EU lawmakers had taken legal action after the commission refused to grant them complete access to Covid-19 vaccine contracts secured between the EU’s executive arm and manufacturers.

GERMANY: A court today convicted a businessman of delivering electronic components to Russian firms associated with the production of military equipment, and sentenced him to six years and nine months in prison.

The German-Russian dual citizen was convicted of violating export laws. A statement from the Stuttgart state court didn’t identify him, in line with German privacy rules.