Author: staff

A spokesperson for the Finnish perm rep confirmed that the sauna is closed for renovations, but they did not have an exact timeline for when it will reopen. Diplomats who make regular use of the facilities told POLITICO they expect it will be closed for around a year. “The Finnish Diplomatic Sauna Society is very much alive and well this year,” the spokesperson told POLITICO. “We’ll be making use of alternative saunas, including the one at the ambassador’s residence,” they said. For those without diplomatic privileges, the public sauna in the Finnish Seamen’s Mission in nearby Rue Jacques de Lalaing…

A ban on fossil fuel adverts in The Hague has been upheld by a Dutch court, in an “historic ruling” that campaigners hope will embolden other cities to take action.In a decision last September, The Hague became the first city in the world to write into law a ban on ads that promote fossil fuels, including petrol cars, air travel and cruise ships. It has been effective since 1 January, but ANVR – the Dutch trade association for travel agencies – and travel company TUI filed lawsuits against the ban, seeking to overturn it.  The district court of The Hague ruled in…

BRUSSELS — Britain and the European Union are set to sign a formal declaration committing to “free and open trade” in defiance of Donald Trump’s tariff agenda. A leaked draft seen by POLITICO promises a “new strategic partnership” between London and Brussels based on “maintaining global economic stability and our mutual commitment to free and open trade.” It comes as Keir Starmer’s U.K. government is locked in negotiations with the Trump administration to try to get a carve-out from the U.S. president’s new tariffs. The draft U.K.-EU agreement, dated April 25, is one of several being drawn up ahead of…

The European Commission might consider providing “alternative solutions” in case technical standards for use by companies seeking to demonstrate compliance with the EU’s AI Act are not ready on time, a spokesperson for the Commission told Euronews.Euronews reported earlier this month that CEN-CENELEC, the main bodies drafting standards under the Act for the Commission, are behind schedule.  The standards were scheduled to be ready by August 2025 but will now be ready in 2026, said CEN-CENELEC, which consists of 34 national standardisation bodies of European countries. “If needed, to address delays and/or possible gaps, the Commission might consider temporary alternative solutions to…

In light of United States President Donald Trump placing into question the fundamental nature of the transatlantic alliance, Wadephul has been clear-eyed in his assessment of the challenge. In an interview with German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine, he described the recent confrontation by Trump and Vice President JD Vance against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House as “shocking — both emotionally and intellectually.” Wadephul warned that, despite the unpredictability of American politics under Trump, he had not expected “such a reversal of responsibility for the war in Ukraine.” Although he believes that “America stands by NATO,” Wadephul cautioned that…

India has agreed to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy from France, the Indian defence ministry announced on Monday, strengthening the country’s naval aviation capabilities as it continues to modernise its armed forces.According to an official statement from New Delhi, the contract is valued at around €6.5 billion. No French sources had publicly commented by Monday midday.The deal expands India’s existing Rafale fleet, following a 2016 agreement for 36 of the French-built aircraft. That earlier deal, worth nearly €8 billion, remains the most expensive contract secured by France’s military aviation industry to date.Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale…

BRUSSELS ― Germany has asked the European Union to activate an emergency clause that would allow it to rapidly increase defense investment without breaching the bloc’s spending rules. Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine and the “changing environment” in global security “requires a significant build-up of defense capabilities with a major impact on its public finances,” acting Finance Minister Jörg Kukies wrote in a letter dated April 24 and obtained by POLITICO. The European Commission’s emergency clause would give EU governments the ability to increase defense spending up to 1.5 percent of gross domestic product each year for four years as…

Spain and Portugal lost power Monday in a massive blackout, according to the Spanish grid operator. Blackouts were reported from Madrid to Lisbon, with large parts of the Iberian Peninsula without power as of late morning Monday. Spain’s grid operator said it was working to restore power. This story is being updated.

As Trump’s 100 days in office edges closer, Anne checks in from DC to bring us all the latest on a domestically difficult week for the US president. Also, will the upcoming Canadian elections be a referendum on Trump from its biggest neighbours? Sam and Anne discuss what the global ramifications of that result might be. And back in Blighty, local elections are nearing and Sam explains how they might shine a light on tensions in Labour between Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Will their briefs demand they push in opposite directions? To find lists of candidates…

“Comrade Kim Jong Un defined it [the mission] as a sacred mission for further consolidating as firm as a rock the traditional friendship and solidarity between the DPRK and Russia,” it added. Later Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Kim and the North Korean troops for their “solidarity” and “heroism.” “We highly appreciate this and are sincerely grateful, personally to the Chairman of the State Affairs Committee, Comrade Kim Jong-un, as well as to the entire leadership and the people of North Korea,” Putin said. The report comes just two days after Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian…