Author: staff
By Euronews Published on 02/07/2025 – 15:02 GMT+2•Updated 15:10German Chancellor and CDU party leader Friedrich Merz is facing significant backlash from his political opponents after rejecting calls to fly a Pride flag at the Bundestag, which he said was “not a circus tent where any flag could be hoisted”.In an appearance on public broadcaster ARD on Tuesday, Merz defended his party’s lawmakers and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner — who previously declined to display the rainbow flag for Christopher Street Day on 26 July — saying the banner should only be flown on 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia. “On all…
Published on 02/07/2025 – 14:08 GMT+2Spanish Banco Santander S.A., the biggest lender in continental Europe by market capitalisation, is buying Scotland-based commercial bank TSB for £2.65 billion (€3.08bn). This is a major step to bolster the Spanish lender’s future in the UK, as it has been struggling to keep its UK arm afloat. The acquisition of TSB Bank means 5 million customers will be transferred to Santander, who will keep a total of £35bn (€40.1bn) in their deposits.The combined entity will become the third-largest bank in the UK by share of personal current accounts and the fourth-largest by mortgages.However, TSB Bank’s…
Une partie de l’objectif pourra être atteint grâce à des crédits carbone internationaux, un mécanisme controversé qui externalise une partie des efforts climatiques de l’Union européenne vers les pays en développement. Par ce biais, les gouvernements de l’UE seraient en mesure de financer des projets climatiques dans d’autres pays et de comptabiliser les réductions d’émissions qui en résultent dans leurs propres objectifs. Les critiques, y compris les conseillers scientifiques de l’Union, avertissent que cela risque de saper les efforts nationaux de décarbonisation de l’UE. Comme l’a rapporté POLITICO en début de semaine, la Commission propose de fixer des limites strictes…
“It hasn’t been this overheated since [European Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen cut the green claims stuff!” quipped a Renew spokesperson, referring to last week’s political turmoil over the Commission’s mixed messaging on whether it would kill an anti-greenwashing bill. “I hear it’s better on the 5th floor, where they don’t believe in climate change,” the spokesperson added, referring to the offices of the ECR, a group that wants to water down the EU’s climate policies. Not to be outdone, an ECR spokesperson said: “I know they want to make us sweat over our political positions, but isn’t this…
More than a year after deadly unrest hit the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, France’s President Emmanuel Macron is bringing together the leaders of the Pacific archipelago for a summit in Paris from Wednesday. The event will focus on the future of New Caledonia, and is being attended by lawmakers, economic figures and civil society representatives from the archipelago.It follows stalled negotiations between pro-independence and anti-independence politicians which were held in May, when French Minister for Overseas Territories, Manuel Valls, hosted an inconclusive three-day meeting. The minister’s’ “sovereignty with France” project, which included a provision for introducing dual French…
The festival honours Saints Peter and Paul but also blends Catholic rituals with Indigenous and African traditions.Men dressed in banana leaves as “Guaycurú” figures chase children through the streets, who defend themselves with burning straw.Masks hold a central place in the festivities — some depict animals or social archetypes, while others carry deep symbolism rooted in colonial history.The Kamba mask dates back to the 17th century and reflects a fusion of Indigenous and African cultures.The community spends months preparing, gathering dried banana leaves and carving wooden masks.For many in Altos, it’s more than a festival — it’s a living tradition.
The fightback A spate of interviews around Starmer’s first anniversary as PM have shown him to be in a reflective mood. He admitted his Downing Street garden warning had “squeezed the hope out,” adding: “We were so determined to show how bad it was that we forgot people wanted something to look forward to as well.” The second Labour figure close to No. 10 quoted above also reckons Starmer’s team now know their enemy: “It’s not the Tories anymore — it’s the forces of populism, and not just Reform.” “The PM can be a bulwark against populism and division. If…
The fire, burning from within layers of plastic and medical waste, is proving nearly impossible to extinguish quickly.Authorities say it could take several days to put out.Air pollution levels have surged, with PM10 and PM2.5 particles far above safe limits.Residents are advised to stay indoors, shut windows, wear masks, and use air purifiers if possible.Health officials warn that the smoke is especially dangerous for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions.
Israeli and Hamas officials did not immediately comment on the deal, and the full terms remain unclear. Both are under growing international pressure to end the war. A recent report by the EU’s diplomatic service found that Israeli actions in Gaza — including restrictions on humanitarian aid — may violate the terms of its association agreement with the bloc. According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 56,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began after Hamas militants raided Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages. Around 50 of the Israeli hostages…
The prime minister fended off losing a Commons vote on welfare changes but wakes up with a massive repair job to do within his party – and economically. Sky News’ Sam Coates and Politico’s Anne McElvoy wonder what the consequences will be after those last-minute concessions to keep Labour MPs on side. There’ll be new ways of balancing the finances (could they be filling a black hole by sending more?) but also a post-mortem of how the government misjudged the mood of its own MPs.