Europe

अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति ने ईरान पर अमेरिकी-इजरायली युद्ध की सार्वजनिक आलोचना के बाद यूरोप में अमेरिकी सैन्य उपस्थिति की समीक्षा करने की बात कही। इटली और स्पेन उन देशों की बढ़ती सूची में शामिल हो गए हैं जिनसे अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति डोनाल्ड ट्रंप, यूरोप में अमेरिकी सैन्य उपस्थिति की व्यापक समीक्षा के तहत, अमेरिकी सैनिकों को वापस बुलाने की धमकी दे रहे हैं। एक रिपोर्टर के सवाल का जवाब देते हुए ट्रंप ने कहा कि वह "शायद" ऐसे कदम पर विचार करेंगे और इसे ईरान में अमेरिकी अभियान की दोनों देशों की आलोचना से जोड़ा। "देखिए, मैं क्यों नहीं करूंगा? इटली ने हमारी कोई मदद नहीं की है और स्पेन भयानक रहा है, बिल्कुल भयानक।" पढ़ना जारी रखें...

US president का बयान German chancellor की उन टिप्पणियों के बाद आया है जिनमें कहा गया था कि इस संघर्ष में US को ‘अपमानित’ किया जा रहा था US president Donald Trump ने कल रात Germany में तैनात सैनिकों की संख्या कम करने की धमकी दी, जब chancellor Friedrich Merz ने इस सप्ताह कहा था कि US को Iran द्वारा “अपमानित” किया जा रहा है। Trump ने कहा कि US “Germany में सैनिकों की संभावित कटौती का अध्ययन और समीक्षा कर रहा है, जिसका निर्णय आने वाले कुछ समय में लिया जाएगा।” “Germany के Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, को लगता है कि Iran के पास Nuclear Weapon होना ठीक है। वह नहीं जानते कि वह क्या कह रहे हैं! अगर Iran के पास Nuclear Weapon होता, तो पूरी दुनिया को बंधक बना लिया जाता। मैं अभी Iran के साथ कुछ ऐसा कर रहा हूँ, जो अन्य Nations, या Presidents, को बहुत पहले कर लेना चाहिए था। कोई आश्चर्य नहीं कि Germany आर्थिक और अन्य रूप से इतना खराब प्रदर्शन कर रहा है! President DONALD J. TRUMP” Continue reading...

Royal Navy प्रमुख का कहना है कि एकीकृत नौसैनिक बल उत्तर में ‘खुली समुद्री सीमा’ से भविष्य के Russian खतरों को रोकेगा Britain ने उत्तर में “खुली समुद्री सीमा” से भविष्य के Russian खतरों को रोकने के लिए नौ यूरोपीय देशों के साथ एक एकीकृत नौसैनिक बल बनाने पर सहमति जताई है, Royal Navy के प्रमुख ने इसकी घोषणा की है। Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins ने जोर देकर कहा कि Middle East में चल रहे संकट के बावजूद, जहाँ Iran में US-Israel युद्ध के बाद Strait of Hormuz बंद है, “Russia हमारी सुरक्षा के लिए सबसे गंभीर खतरा बना हुआ है”। पढ़ना जारी रखें...

Article 42.7 दशकों तक गुमनामी में रहा – जब तक कि Donald Trump ने Nato के प्रति US प्रतिबद्धता पर संदेह करना शुरू नहीं किया • क्या This Is Europe आपके इनबॉक्स में नहीं पहुँच रहा है? यहाँ Sign up करें अधिकांश लोगों ने Nato के Article 5 के बारे में सुना है। “एक सबके लिए, सब एक के लिए” वाली यह धारा कहती है कि एक सदस्य देश पर सशस्त्र हमले को सभी पर हमला माना जाना चाहिए, जिसके लिए सदस्य देशों को पीड़ित की सहायता के लिए आगे आना आवश्यक है – जिसमें “सशस्त्र बल का उपयोग” भी शामिल है। इस सप्ताह तक, बहुत कम लोगों ने EU की अपनी पारस्परिक रक्षा धारा, Article 42.7 (pdf) के बारे में सुना था, जो कहती है कि यदि किसी सदस्य देश पर सशस्त्र हमला होता है, तो अन्य सदस्य देशों का “उसके प्रति अपनी शक्ति के सभी साधनों द्वारा सहायता और मदद करने का दायित्व होगा”। ऐसा शायद इसलिए है क्योंकि हाल ही तक, यूरोपीय लोगों को Article 42.7 की सलाह लेने की बहुत अधिक आवश्यकता नहीं पड़ी थी। पूरे EU (और UK) में 40 से अधिक US सैन्य अड्डे और 85,000 सैनिक पुराने महाद्वीप के प्रति Washington की रक्षा प्रतिबद्धता का प्रमाण थे। Continue reading...

• Ursula von der Leyen बाद में नए Hungarian नेता से मिलने वाली हैं जो सुधारों के बदले EU फंड अनलॉक करने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं • Von der Leyen कहती हैं कि “प्रत्येक सदस्य देश का energy mix अलग है,” इसलिए कोई व्यापक EU समाधान काम नहीं करेगा। • लेकिन वह न केवल common procurement पर, बल्कि ईंधन भंडार, “विशेष रूप से jet fuel और diesel, जहां बाजार तंग हो रहे हैं,” पर भी अधिक समन्वय का आह्वान करती हैं।

आठ EU सदस्य अपने राष्ट्रीय आपराधिक कोडों में परिभाषाओं में बल या हिंसा को शामिल करना जारी रखे हुए हैं। European parliament ने EU से बलात्कार की एक मानक सहमति-आधारित परिभाषा तैयार करने का आह्वान किया है, जिसे विधायकों ने वर्तमान में पूरे ब्लॉक में मौजूद कानूनों की विविधता (patchwork), जिनमें से कुछ अपर्याप्त हैं, को संबोधित करने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम बताया है। मंगलवार को, संसद के 720 MEPs में से 447 ने बलात्कार की एक सामान्य परिभाषा की मांग करने वाली रिपोर्ट को मंजूरी देने के लिए मतदान किया, जो “only yes means yes” पर केंद्रित है, जिससे Strasbourg के सदन में ज़ोरदार तालियाँ बजीं। Continue reading...

• ट्रेड बॉडी का कहना है कि यूरोपीय संघ (EU) के EES एंट्री-एग्जिट सिस्टम के कारण ईंधन की उच्च कीमतें और यात्रियों की देरी समस्याएँ पैदा कर रही हैं। • उद्योग निकाय ने चेतावनी दी है कि यदि मध्य पूर्व संकट के कारण जेट ईंधन की कमी से व्यापक स्तर पर रूट रद्द होते हैं, तो यूरोप के छोटे हवाई अड्डे जीवित नहीं रह पाएंगे। • हालांकि एयरलाइंस का दावा है कि वर्तमान में चार से छह सप्ताह की सामान्य अवधि के भीतर आपूर्ति की कोई समस्या नहीं है, लेकिन ईरान के खिलाफ अमेरिका-इजरायल युद्ध और हॉर्मुज जलडमरूमध्य के प्रभावी रूप से बंद होने से जेट ईंधन की कीमतें दोगुनी हो गई हैं, जिससे कुछ एयरलाइंस ने उड़ानें रद्द कर दी हैं।

फ्रांस के राष्ट्रपति, जो इस सूक्ष्म-राज्य (micro-state) के सह-राजकुमार भी हैं, यूरोप के सबसे सख्त गर्भपात कानूनों वाले इस देश में इस मुद्दे पर स्पष्ट रूप से बात करने की उम्मीद कर रहे हैं। • इस बीच, मैक्रोन सांता कोलोमा के अंडोरान प्राथमिक विद्यालय का दौरा कर रहे हैं और बच्चों के साथ समय बिताने का आनंद ले रहे हैं, और खुशी-खुशी अंडोरान झंडों के साथ तस्वीरें खिंचवा रहे हैं। • पिछले हफ्ते, उन्होंने सुझाव दिया था कि वह अगले साल मई में अपने कार्यकाल के अंत में राजनीति छोड़ देंगे, इसलिए जब वह कार्यालय के अंतिम वर्ष में प्रवेश करेंगे, तो हमें इस तरह की विरासत बनाने वाली यात्राओं और हस्तक्षेपों की अधिक उम्मीद करनी चाहिए। पढ़ना जारी रखें...

Resolution Foundation report says ‘crisis’ stems from rising ill-health and a failing system of benefits and job supportBritain has the third-highest rate of young people not in work or education among Europe’s richest countries because of rising ill-health and a failing system of benefits and job support, a report has warned.The Resolution Foundation thinktank said the UK was facing a “crisis” in youth jobs amid a dramatic rise in the number of 16- to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (Neets) to almost 1 million – the highest level in more than a decade. Continue reading...

Across country, more than 10 people have been injured as Ukrainian prime minister Julia Svyrydenko prepares to visit PolandAnother night of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine overnight left more than 10 people injured, particularly damaging residential buildings in the Odesa region.The strikes caused the biggest damage in the central Prymorskyi district, where residential buildings, a hotel and facilities in the center of the city were damaged, Serhiy Lysak, the head of the local military administration, said on Telegram in comments reported by Reuters. Continue reading...

• The European Union announced a €2.1 billion emergency aid package for Ukraine on Friday, aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts and civilian needs amid Russia's intensified spring offensive across multiple fronts in eastern Ukraine. • EU officials stated the funds would prioritize healthcare infrastructure, food security, and electricity grid repairs, with disbursement beginning within two weeks pending parliamentary approval scheduled for April 30. • Ukraine's finance minister praised the commitment but warned that current assistance levels remain insufficient to offset projected $14 billion in war-related economic losses this year alone.

• NATO announced Friday the deployment of 5,000 additional personnel to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, citing concerns over Russian military buildups near the Ukraine border and increased reconnaissance flights in NATO airspace. • The alliance activated contingency protocols allowing individual member states to request reinforcements without full consensus; Poland alone will receive 2,500 troops, primarily from the United States and Germany. • Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned the deployment as "provocative" and pledged countermeasures, while NATO Secretary-General stated the move was "defensive and proportional" to regional security threats.

Iranian intelligence services apparently recruiting via intermediaries to mount attacks aimed at sowing chaosIranian intelligence services and Revolutionary Guards operatives are recruiting teenagers through criminal intermediaries to launch a wave of low-level “hybrid warfare” attacks in Europe and the UK, according to investigators, security officials, analysts and police documents.A first wave of attacks was launched in early March, 10 days after the US and Israel began strikes on Iran, and targeted Jewish community sites in Belgium, the Netherlands and US banks. A second wave has focused on the UK, with a series of arson and attempted arson attacks on synagogues, a Jewish charity and the offices of an Iranian opposition TV network in London. Continue reading...

Move comes after Hungary and Slovakia dropped opposition following reopening of the Druzhba oil pipelineEU leaders are set to meet in Cyprus this evening to discuss the latest on the Middle East and the next EU budget, starting in 2028.But it looks like they will have a bit of a detour – and a reason to celebrate, too – as the long-awaited €90bn loan for Ukraine and the 20th package of sanctions against Russia are on course to be unblocked after four months of delays caused by Hungary’s Viktor Orbán. Continue reading...

Lawyers for oligarch claim freezing of £5.3bn of assets ‘unfair and abusive’ amid row over use of funds for Ukraine Roman Abramovich has gone to the European court of human rights (ECHR), claiming that a criminal investigation into his financial affairs by the Jersey authorities has breached his human rights, according to reports.The former owner of Chelsea FC, who is sanctioned in the UK over his links to Vladimir Putin, is under investigation in Jersey over allegations of corruption and money laundering. Continue reading...

Donald Trump’s conflict with Iran could speed the EU’s green revolution – if panicking governments can hold their nerve on clean energy• Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereA surge in demand for electric vehicles across Europe may be evidence of what George Monbiot greeted as the silver lining of the Iran war. Sales of electric cars in continental Europe rose by 51% in March.The International Energy Agency has called the disruption in the strait of Hormuz the “biggest energy crisis in history”, but it appears, on one level, to be accelerating Europe’s green revolution. Yet, even if car-owners are rushing to the EV showrooms, some European governments, facing a groundswell of anger over soaring petrol and gas prices, are at risk of sending the clean energy transition into reverse. Continue reading...

Budget airline says change will take effect from November and will give passengers more time to clear securityRyanair will close airport check-in desks 20 minutes earlier to avoid passengers missing flights, it has announced, amid concern over border queues in Europe.The budget airline, which carries 200 million passengers annually, will require all passengers dropping bags or checking in at the airport to do so one hour before take-off rather than the current 40-minute deadline. Continue reading...

Member states meet this morning to discuss loan after longstanding disagreement between Kyiv and outgoing Hungarian PM Viktor OrbánAfter four months of very public disagreements between Ukraine and Hungary, today could be the day when the EU finally signs off (for the second time) on the critical €90bn loan for Kyiv.Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed yesterday that the Druzhba pipeline, carrying Russian oil imports to Hungary and Slovakia, has been repaired and is ready to be used again. EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said yesterday she expected “a positive decision” within the next 24 hours. Continue reading...

Research finds global heating has already lengthened the pollen season in addition to worsening heatwaves and droughtsClimate breakdown has extended the pollen season in the UK and mainland Europe by between one and two weeks since the 1990s, a study has found, adding itchy eyes and runny noses to the harm wrought by fossil fuel pollution.The finding may be less dramatic than the floods and wildfires typically associated with a warming planet but represents a “huge” increase in the combined suffering of tens of millions of people, the researchers say. Continue reading...

Representatives from EU countries are meeting in Luxembourg todayJust as expected.Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares has just confirmed that Spain, Slovenia and Ireland have requested a discussion on suspending the EU’s association treaty with Israel at today’s meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers.“European Union has to say today very clearly to Israel that that change is needed. That’s not the right path, and that while Israel continues in that path of a permanent perpetual war, we will not be able to [run our relations] in the same way.” Continue reading...

Norway leads the way in terms of switching as data shows 224,000 new EVs were registered in MarchBusiness live – latest updatesSales of electric cars soared 51% in continental Europe last month, amid a rise in petrol and diesel costs driven by the Iran war.Data shows that 224,000 new electric vehicles (EVs) were registered in March, and 500,000 across the first three months of the year – a 33.5% increase on a year earlier, according to analysis of national sales data in 15 countries by New Automotive and E-Mobility Europe, a trade body. Continue reading...

Former president looks likely to take power following eighth election in five yearsBulgarian ex-president Rumen Radev – an EU critic who has called for renewing ties with Russia – on Sunday hailed a “victory of hope” after his formation topped the eighth parliamentary elections in five years.Projections from polling agencies put his Progressive Bulgaria (PB) grouping at 44%, which would give him an absolute majority of at least 129 seats in the 240-seat parliament. Continue reading...

FC Basel and Polish stadium stop US rapper’s upcoming shows, after similar cancellations in France and UK over antisemitic commentsKanye West’s upcoming concerts in Poland and Switzerland have been cancelled, as a growing number of European countries have stopped or postponed the US rapper’s performances amid a furore over his past antisemitic comments.Swiss football club FC Basel, which is responsible for concerts and events that take place at its St Jakob-Park ground, told Reuters on Saturday that after reviewing a request for West to perform there in June, it decided against it. Continue reading...

• Sequoia Capital announced a $7 billion expansion fund under new leadership specifically targeting late-stage AI startups across the U.S. and Europe. • The fund aims to accelerate growth for mature AI companies navigating scaling challenges in competitive markets. • This massive capital injection underscores surging investor confidence in AI's long-term potential amid rapid technological advancements.

• The European Commission introduced draft legislation on April 18 to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil, gas, and refining infrastructure, aiming to reduce EU energy dependence by 35% within two years. • The proposal includes price caps on Russian liquefied natural gas imports and expanded restrictions on third-party shipping companies, targeting the "shadow fleet" used to circumvent existing penalties. • EU energy ministers debated the plan in Brussels, with Hungary and Slovakia expressing concerns about potential economic costs to their economies, though Germany and Poland voiced strong support.

There will be flight cancellations ‘soon’ if oil supplies are not restored in coming weeks, says head of IEABusiness live – latest updatesMiddle East crisis – live updatesEurope has only six weeks’ supply of jet fuel left before shortages will hit because of the Iran war, according to the head of a global energy watchdog.Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said there would be flight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies from the Middle East were not restored within the coming weeks. Continue reading...

Ukrainian president says nearly 700 Russian drones and 19 ballistic missiles mostly targeted Kyiv, Odesa and DniproUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia “does not deserve any easing … or lifting on sanctions” after an overnight attack killed 16 and wounded 100 people in Ukraine.He said:“Russia is betting on war, and the response must be exactly that: we must defend lives with all available means, and we must also apply pressure for the sake of peace with the same full force.”There can be no normalisation of Russia as it is today. Pressure on Russia must work. Continue reading...

Leaders of Poland and Germany hail Péter Magyar’s majority as a turning of the tide – but analysts say there were other reasons for defeat of prime ministerFor Poland’s Donald Tusk, the crushing defeat of Hungary’s illiberal prime minister, Viktor Orbán, after 16 years in office was evidence that the world was “not condemned to authoritarian and corrupt governments”.Germany’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, also believes the two-thirds majority secured by Orbán’s centre-right challenger, Péter Magyar, in Sunday’s elections was “a clear signal against rightwing populism” that showed “the pendulum is swinging back”. Continue reading...

Prime minister elect says he expects new government to be in place by mid-MayElection winner Péter Magyar has confirmed work is under way to form the new Hungarian government by mid-May after holding talks with the country’s president, Tamás Sulyok, a loyalist of the outgoing prime minister, Viktor Orbán.The two leaders discussed the timetable for new parliament, which can be formed not before 4 May when the results of the Sunday’s vote need to be certified by, with Magyar saying he expected the new government to be in place by mid-May.“[Sulyok] is unworthy of representing the unity of the Hungarian nation. He is unfit to serve as the guardian of legality. He is not fit to serve as a moral authority or a role model.” Continue reading...