Europe Politics

UN chief denounces Israel for ‘utterly unacceptable’ killings as Gaza death toll soars – POLITICO

by

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the “heart-breaking” and “utterly unacceptable” killings of Palestinian civilians in Gaza on Sunday, as the number of deaths from Israeli strikes in the enclave surpassed 25,000. “Israel’s military operations have spread massive destruction and killed civilians on a scale unprecedented during my time as secretary-general,” Guterres said at the … Read more

Netanyahu trapped by clashing demands from war cabinet and hawks – POLITICO

by

TEL AVIV — As he tries to cling to power, Benjamin Netanyahu is being buffeted by contradictory demands over the direction of the war in Gaza. His war cabinet is increasingly urging a cease-fire deal to be struck with Hamas — to secure the return of Israeli hostages — while lawmakers in his own Likud … Read more

Putin willing to visit North Korea at ‘early date,’ Pyongyang says – POLITICO

by

Russian President Vladimir Putin is considering visiting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang soon, North Korea’s state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday, as the two countries seek closer ties against a backdrop of increasing pressure from the West. Putin “expressed his willingness to visit [North Korea] at an early date,” the outlet … Read more

Israeli strike in Damascus targets Iran-aligned paramilitary officials – POLITICO

by

An Israeli attack on the Syrian capital of Damascus on Saturday destroyed a residential building where Iran-aligned paramilitary leaders were meeting. Precision-targeted Israeli missiles destroyed a multi-story building in the western Damascus neighborhood of Mazzeh, Reuters reported. The structure was occupied by Iranian advisers assisting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s administration, according to the report. The … Read more

Poland on track to unlock €76B in EU funds, Warsaw minister says – POLITICO

by

Warsaw is on the path to unblocking €76 billion in EU cash that was frozen over rule-of-law-concerns, said Poland’s minister for funds and regional policy.  Payout of the funds from the EU’s 2021-2027 budget have been blocked over legal concerns after the government led by the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party implemented judicial reforms … Read more

Trump says NATO countries spent ‘billions’ after he threatened to not defend EU

by

“I said that’s exactly what it means,” he said. “And the following day, billions and billions of dollars came pouring in.” A POLITICO report earlier this month revealed that Trump had told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2020 that the U.S. wouldn’t come to Europe’s defense if it was attacked. Trump’s campaign … Read more

Bulgarian PM hints country may miss eurozone entry date – POLITICO

by

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov on Saturday said his country may fumble the January 1, 2025, target date to join the EU’s currency zone. The country’s target date to adopt the euro was “not sacred,” Denkov said during an appearance on the Bulgarian radio station Darik Radio. “What is sacred is not the date but … Read more