Author: staff

On Wednesday, NATO leaders are expected to formally agree to a new defense spending target of 5 percent of gross domestic product — a sharp increase from the current 2 percent benchmark and something that Trump has been demanding for months. While NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has insisted publicly that the new objective is not designed “for an audience of one,” a private, obsequious message leaked by Trump himself highlights that the gathering’s choreography is mostly designed to provide the U.S. president with a win and to keep him from abandoning the alliance. “Donald, you have driven us to a…

Once the conclave ended without a deal, the Socialists demanded that lawmakers be allowed to propose changes to the reform, including bringing the retirement age back down. But Bayrou refused, instead personally intervening in a last-ditch effort to get conclave participants to reach an agreement. Without even tacit support from the Socialists, Bayrou’s government is inching dangerously close to the point of collapse. A vote on the motion is expected within 48 hours. To succeed it would require backing from Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and its allies, in addition to the left. Jean-Luc Mélenchon of France Unbowed, the…

This is not the first time Tesla has faced legal scrutiny over its vehicles’ autonomous capabilities. Germany’s competition watchdog sued Tesla in 2020 over its marketing claims, saying Tesla promises more in the advertisements than it can deliver. The automaker successfully appealed, however, and is still advertising its cars as self-driving in Germany. In the United States, the company has faced numerous wrongful death lawsuits over accidents involving its Autopilot feature, which allows the vehicle to steer, brake and accelerate on its own. Once a desirable brand, Tesla is now facing numerous headwinds in France thanks to Musk’s politics. Ten…

Published on 24/06/2025 – 16:21 GMT+2Telecom operators, trade unions and industry groups have called for the EU’s cyber agency ENISA to steer away from political interference and remain independent in response to a consultation on the European Commission’s review of existing cybersecurity rules.                                                                                                                                                                                 In May, the Commission began gathering feedback on a revision to the bloc’s 2019 Cybersecurity Act (CSA), which is being revamped in line with efforts to simplify existing rules. The proposal aimed to give the Athens-based ENISA a bigger mandate, including over the drafting of cybersecurity certification schemes, through which companies can demonstrate that their ICT solutions include the right level…

Although none of the opposition leaders convicted so far held office in the previous Georgian government, they were summoned to testify and prosecuted for refusing.  All four — Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze, Zurab Japaridze and Giorgi Vashadze — received seven to eight months in jail and two-year bans from holding public office. Kallas said Monday that the EU was considering sanctions against the judges who imposed these sentences and that it will revisit the issue in July. “We stand ready to consider further restrictive measures on those who are responsible,” Kallas said.   More opposition leaders are awaiting their sentences for…

Thousands of demonstrators marched through central Athens on Monday in a mass anti-war protest denouncing recent US military action against Iran. Chanting slogans and carrying signs, the protesters made their way to the US Embassy under a heavy police presence. The demonstration was organised by PAME, a trade union affiliated with Communist Party in Greece.Several other political groups and civil society organisations joined in the protest. The march ended peacefully.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in a meeting with counterparts earlier this week, also pushed back against calls to suspend the agreement, arguing the bloc “needs good relations with Israel.” That sets Germany on a collision course with other EU countries such as Spain and Ireland, which have called for an immediate suspension of the pact. No immediate action is expected after EU foreign ministers discussed Israel on Monday, but the matter is likely to come up when they next meet in July. With no unanimity on suspending the pact entirely, it might be possible to suspend the part of…

Low-cost airlines are expected to be impacted the most by the measure, which would hit their pricing policies that permit only a small bag fitting under a seat to be carried for free and charge passengers for larger bags, even if they fit in the overhead bin. According to Ryanair’s most recent annual results, ancillary revenues, including fees for hand baggage and extra services such as seat selection and priority boarding, amounted to €4.7 billion out of total revenues of €13.95 billion. In addition to profits, airlines are concerned that allowing all passengers to bring a 7 kg bag on board…

The Japanese military announced on Tuesday that it had conducted a missile test for the first time on the country’s own territory. The Type-88 surface-to-ship short range missiles were test fired at the Shizunai Anti-Air Firing Range on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido. Around 300 soldiers took part in the exercise by the Ground Self-Defence Force’s 1st Artillery Brigade. The soldiers fired at an unmanned boat around 40 kilometres off of the coast, authorities said. Later this year, Japan intends to deploy long-range cruise missiles, including Tomahawks. Previously, Japan has conducted missile tests overseas, including on the territories of defence partners like the US…

Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel on Tuesday said the disruption “could be sabotage.” “[Sabotage] is one of the things we are now investigating,” he told broadcaster NOS at the Public Forum ahead of the NATO leaders’ meetings. “Then the question is: Who is behind it? It can be an activist group, it can be a country. It can be many things,” he said. Van Weel served as NATO’s most senior hybrid and cybersecurity official until the middle of last year. Officials at Dutch railway provider ProRail and public authorities are still investigating the incident. The train disruptions are the…