Author: staff

The meeting of the defence ministers from the EU’s largest countries together with the deputy defence minister of Great Britain comes as Poland begins its rotating presidency of the EU and as Europe braces for the unpredictability of a new Donald Trump presidency. Defence ministers from Poland, France, Italy, and Germany met in Warsaw on Monday to discuss military aid to Ukraine and security in Europe.The meeting of the defence ministers from the EU’s largest countries together with the deputy defence minister of Great Britain comes as Poland begins its rotating presidency of the EU and as Europe braces for…

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Pro-Russia Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), is bidding to form a government after the breakdown of coalition talks among Vienna’s mainstream parties. Schallenberg, Austria’s foreign minister and member of the center-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), took over as interim chancellor on Friday, after Karl Nehammer resigned earlier this month. Austria “will remain a reliable partner and a strong partner within the European Union” as his party continues coalition negotiations with the FPÖ, he told journalists on Tuesday evening. Pro-Russia Herbert Kickl, leader of Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), is bidding to form a government after the breakdown of coalition talks among…

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‘Diversity and flexibility’ “I trust that [Morawiecki] will be able to uphold the essence of ECR: common values … but not necessarily common positions,” Fernand Kartheiser, a Luxembourgish member of the European Parliament and member of the party’s board of directors, told POLITICO. “This gives ECR its diversity and flexibility,” he added. The party is divided into two branches, one right-wing section composed of national parties considered by centrist forces as moderate and acceptable to negotiate with, such as Brothers of Italy and ODS, and a section led by Law and Justice considered far right, which is systematically excluded from…

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Updated: 13/01/2025 – 19:07 GMT+1 Brocken is the Harz mountain highest peak, standing 1,141 metres above sea level. … More Brocken is the Harz mountain highest peak, standing 1,141 metres above sea level.Europe has been hit by heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures in the past week, causing widespread disruption across the continent, particularly in the U.K. and Germany, with several major airports forced to suspend flights.In the Polish spa town Kołobrzeg enthusiasts of icy waters gathered for a swimming rally.Almost a thousand people from across the country took part in the Kołobrzeg winter swimming festival in the icy waters of…

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The Commission informed journalists on Jan. 3 that von der Leyen was suffering from “severe” pneumonia, but did not disclose that she had been hospitalized, even after direct questioning. German newswire DPA broke the news on Jan. 10, which is the same day von der Leyen left hospital, according to Pinho. Pinho said that von der Leyen entered a hospital in Hanover for about a week after a medical appointment on Jan. 2. “The president was never on a respirator or in intensive care,” the senior official said. “Can the Commission be run from a hospital? It really depends on…

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Updated: 13/01/2025 – 18:31 GMT+1 Surat Thani saw significant destruction, including the collapse of resort buildings, and coastal erosion impacted areas like Koh Pha-ngan. Flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat disrupted funeral preparations, while coastal erosion in Songkhla and Krabi threatened properties. Authorities have issued warnings for small boats, suspended ferry services, and advised caution as monsoon conditions continue. … More Surat Thani saw significant destruction, including the collapse of resort buildings, and coastal erosion impacted areas like Koh Pha-ngan. Flooding in Nakhon Si Thammarat disrupted funeral preparations, while coastal erosion in Songkhla and Krabi threatened properties. Authorities have issued warnings…

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Ukrainian soldiers describe the North Korean soldiers as being very far from inexperienced cannon fodder.   “They are young, motivated, physically fit, brave, and good at using small arms. They are also disciplined. They have everything you need for a good infantryman,” Chepurnyi said. Yuriy Bondar, a Ukrainian soldier with the 80th separate airborne assault brigade, said North Korean soldiers have extremely good physical training and have stable morale. “The enemy does not surrender. They eliminate themselves according to the same scheme, a grenade near the head, and go. Those who remain on the battlefield are doused with flammable liquid…

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Eurozone inflation fell to 2.4% in December 2024, but ECB chief economist Philip Lane cautions that services inflation and uneven growth persist. A “middle path” on interest rates and structural reforms is crucial for stability. The eurozone has made substantial progress in reducing inflation, yet ensuring it stabilises at the 2% target without hindering economic growth remains a critical challenge, according to Philip Lane, the European Central Bank’s chief economist.In an interview with Der Standard on Monday, Lane highlighted that inflation dropped to 2.4% in December 2024, down from a peak of 10% in late 2022. Despite this significant progress, he cautioned…

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Virgin Group says it is close to placing a significant order for high-speed trains that is expected to shake up Eurostar’s 30-year monopoly on the Channel Tunnel. Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is preparing to order 12 high-speed trains as a challenge to high-speed rail startup, Evolyn, which is also hoping to compete with Eurostar to offer rail services from London to mainland Europe. Currently, Eurostar has a monopoly on Channel Tunnel train travel.The Virgin order is expected to be worth upwards of about £500m (€595.20m). Two rail suppliers have been shortlisted so far, with Virgin Group currently considering offerings from companies…

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“Why should I, as the leader of a stable coalition party, pay the price for the coalition’s inability to enforce laws in parliament?” he added. Fico said that an alternative to the snap elections would be a reshuffle of the number of MPs set by the coalition agreement, a scenario neither of the two coalition partners are fond of. The coalition crisis was sparked by the departure of three SNS MPs who rebelled and quit their caucus in October over internal disputes — and continue to withhold support for the coalition until it meets their demands. As a result, Fico’s…

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