“Europe could die”: Macron urges stronger defences, economic reforms
Paris, France Reuters French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday for stronger, more integrated European defences as he outlined his vision for a more assertive European Union on the global stage. In a speech at the Sorbonne University in Paris, he also said the continent must not become a vassal of the United States. “There […]
Pope Francis asks aide to read ceremonial speech due to bronchitis
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis, who has been suffering from influenza, said he delegated the reading of a speech at a ceremony on Saturday to an aide because he was unable to read it due to bronchitis. “I have prepared a speech but as you can see I am unable to read it because of […]
EU agrees €50 billion in new aid for Ukraine in message to divided US
Brussels, Belgium Reuters European Union leaders unanimously agreed on Thursday to €50 billion in new aid to Ukraine, sending a message to the United States split on whether to keep backing Kyiv in its fight against Russia’s invasion. The agreement overcomes weeks of resistance from Hungary and comes amid uncertainty over the future of US […]
Germany’s Scholz “ashamed” at anti-Semitism wave as ‘Kristallnacht’ pogrom marked
Berlin, GermanyReuters Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was “ashamed and outraged” at a recent wave of anti-Semitic incidents in Germany, warning Berlin would not tolerate such anti-Jewish hatred as he marked the 85th anniversary of the Nazis’ “Kristallnacht” pogrom of Jews. Scholz was speaking at a ceremony at a Berlin synagogue to mark “Kristallnacht” alongside […]
European leaders meet in Iceland to reaffirm values as Ukraine war rages on
Reykjavik, IcelandReuters European leaders will travel to Iceland on Tuesday for a two-day summit meant to show their support for Ukraine but also send a powerful message on core democratic values many feel are under threat in and outside Europe. In only the fourth summit of the Council of Europe since it was founded after […]
Russians pound access routes to Ukraine’s besieged Bakhmut
Chasiv Yar, Ukraine Reuters Russian troops and mercenaries rained artillery on the last access routes to the besieged Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on Friday, bringing Moscow closer to its first major victory in half a year after the bloodiest fighting of the war. The head of Russia’s Wagner private army, speaking in a video recorded […]
Biden not intending to speak to Putin until conditions for talks exist
Kyiv, UkraineReuters US President Joe Biden is not intending to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin right now, the White House said on Friday, a day after Biden said he was willing to talk if Putin were looking for a way to end the war. Speaking after a meeting on Thursday at the White House […]
European leaders visit Ukraine, dangling hope of EU membership; UK sanctions Patriarch Kirill
Kyiv/Irpin, Ukraine Reuters The leaders of Germany, France and Italy, all criticised in the past by Kyiv for support viewed as too cautious, visited Ukraine on Thursday and offered the hope of EU membership to a country pleading for weapons to fend off Russia’s invasion. Air raid sirens blared in Kyiv as the visit by […]
German Social Democrats beat conservatives in vote to decide Merkel successor
Berlin, GermanyReuters Germany’s Social Democrats narrowly won Sunday’s national election, projected results showed, and claimed a “clear mandate” to lead a government for the first time since 2005 and to end 16 years of conservative-led rule under Angela Merkel. The centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) were on track for 26 per cent of the vote, ahead […]