Monday, June 21

*) EU: Iran nuclear deal talks closer to saving 2015 deal The European Union has said that negotiators are closer to saving the Iran nuclear deal but sticking points remain. The announcement from Enrique Mora of the European External Action Service comes a day after Ebrahim Raisi, a hardline judge, won Iran’s presidential election. Sunday’s meeting was part of regular discussions aimed at bringing the US back to the 2015 pact and Iran back into compliance with curbs on its nuclear programme. *) Ethiopia votes in greatest electoral test yet for Abiy Ethiopia has begun voting in general elections, the greatest electoral test yet for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Tigray's war and logistical issues mean ballots wouldn't be cast in more than 100 constituencies of the 547 across the country. Abiy’s ruling Prosperity Party is widely expected to retain power as opposition groups accused it of harassment, manipulation and threats of violence that echo abuses of the past. *) Libya reopens highway linking east and west Libya’s unity government has reopened the coastal highway linking the country’s east and west, which remained closed for years due to fighting. Interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah said the announcement was another key step in a UN-led peace process. The highway connects the war-torn North African country’s border with Tunisia to its frontier with Egypt. *) Armenian PM’s party wins snap parliamentary vote Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's party has won snap parliamentary elections with 53.9 percent of the vote. His rival ex-president Robert Kocharyan's alliance received 21 percent of the vote, the election commission said. Early elections were called by Pashinyan in a bid to ease public anger over a peace deal he signed with Azerbaijan in November. And finally ... *) Italy beat Wales, both advance to round of 16 at Euro 2020 Matteo # scored the only goal as Italy made its three wins out of three games at Euro 2020 by beating Wales 1-0, with both teams advancing to the last 16. T