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The Trump administration said it's banning new Chinese humanoid robots, topped with AI-enabled "brains," as part of an attempt to protect the U.S. AI buildout.

#robot #china #ai #robotics #cybersecurity #News #Reuters #Newsfeed

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UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as his first international visitor and announced new jamming technology to protect Ukrainian drones.

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French workers raced to build firebreaks between Marcheprime and Blagon to stop wildfires from reaching the wine-growing region of Bordeaux as fires raged just short of 10 miles away.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #BordeauxWildfire #FranceWildfires #Marcheprime #Blagon #Bordeaux #France #Wildfire #Evacuation #Heatwave #SebastienLecornu #BreakingNews #WorldNews #EuropeWildfires #ClimateChange #FranceFire #Firebreak #2026 #EuropeHeatwave #WesternEurope #NaturalDisaster

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The Security Council met to discuss the escalating conflict in Ukraine following intensified Russian attacks. UN officials warned that more than 170 civilians have reportedly been killed and over 1,000 injured since the Council's last briefing on 9 July, urging all parties to protect civilians, uphold international law and resume dialogue toward an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire.

Check out the new trailer for Onslaught! In theaters September 4, 2026.

A mother living in a trailer park tries to protect her loved ones from a threat that has escaped from a secret military base, while mercenaries try to contain it.

© A24

European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius explained the competitive advantages of Europe’s IRIS² secure satellite connectivity programme.

Kubilius said IRIS² will compete through quality, not simply quantity.

He noted that the system will include around 300 satellites, operating across both low Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit.

According to Kubilius, this dual-orbit approach will provide additional quality and resilience for secure satellite communication services.

He also highlighted quantum encryption as one of the programme’s most important technological advantages.

Kubilius said this unique technology will make IRIS² genuinely secure and strengthen Europe’s ability to protect sensitive communications.

He confirmed that the first stage of IRIS² is expected to become operational in 2029, with additional services to follow.

#Kubilius #IRIS2 #space #Encryption #SpaceSecurity

European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu presented the Commission’s communication on the European Pillar of Social Rights after the College meeting.

Mînzatu said the Pillar remains Europe’s social compass, built around 20 principles designed to make sure the European model delivers for every citizen.

She highlighted major achievements linked to the Pillar, including the Pay Transparency Directive, the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive, the Child Guarantee and the Platform Work Directive.

The Executive Vice-President warned that Europe now faces new challenges, including the rising cost of living, housing affordability, energy bills, inequality, security threats and the impact of new technologies.

A major focus was labour market activation. Mînzatu said around 50 million Europeans are outside the labour market, including 33 million women, and stressed the importance of affordable and accessible childcare to help parents return to work.

She also announced future action through a European Care Deal, aimed at improving working conditions and attractiveness in the care sector.

On technology, Mînzatu said the Commission will set up a high-level expert group to examine the medium- and long-term impact of AI on jobs, tasks and skills.

She also announced a new European Day in remembrance of victims of accidents at work and for the protection and dignity of workers, to be marked on 8 August, recalling the 1956 Marcinelle mining disaster in Belgium.

#SocialRights #WorkersRights #AI

ECB President Christine Lagarde unveiled the second theme shortlisted for the future euro banknotes: Rivers and Birds.

Lagarde said the idea behind the theme is deeply European. Rivers and birds cross borders, symbolizing freedom, unity and Europe’s connection to nature.

She noted that Europe’s wide variety of rivers and birds reflects both the continent’s beauty and its shared responsibility to protect nature.

On the front of the proposed banknotes, the designs show bird and river scenes. Examples include a wallcreeper and a mountain spring on the €5 note, and a kingfisher at a waterfall on the €10 design.

On the reverse side, the banknotes feature European institutions, highlighting the fundamental values of the European project. Lagarde pointed out that the European Parliament appears on the €5 note, while the ECB is shown on the €20 banknote.

The result is a vision of future euro banknotes that connects nature, freedom, European identity and shared values in a fresh new design direction.

#EuroBanknotes #Lagarde #ECB #Banknotes

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

- Secretary-General/Syria
- Deputy Secretary-General/Travel
- Secretary-General/Red Sea
- UN Office for Project Services
- Seafarers
- West Bank
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Burundi
- Venezuela
- Ukraine
- Climate
- International Days

UN OFFICE FOR PROJECT SERVICES

In a statement issued today, the Executive Director of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, said that the UN Task-force for the Strait of Hormuz that he has been coordinating has developed, in consultation with relevant parties, a practical confidence-building mechanism to facilitate safe, orderly and predictable maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, with a specific focus on fertilizers and related raw materials to prevent a massive food crisis. 

In the last four months, the Task Force team has consulted extensively with Member States and has received overwhelming support, particularly from the most vulnerable countries. 

This Mechanism is ready to become operational, subject to the will of all Parties in the conflict and in the region. 

Mr. Moreira da Silva said it is time to give a chance to an operational mechanism to build confidence and to build trust.

He continues to engage with all relevant parties through the Task Force, while reiterating the Secretary-General’s own call for restraint and de-escalation. 

SEAFARERS

The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez, unequivocally condemned the latest reported attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea area. 

These attacks are indefensible, he said. They endanger the lives of seafarers, while threatening the security of international shipping, of the safety and security of marine environment and the stability of the global supply chains. 

Meanwhile, Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, also called for urgent action to remedy the plight of thousands of stranded seafarers who are facing a dire humanitarian and human rights crisis across the Strait of Hormuz.

He said his Office has received information that some seafarers have been abandoned at sea by shipowners who have left them without support, without repatriation plans or even without paying their wages.

WEST BANK

The Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Ramiz Alakbarov, today said that the continued loss of civilian life across the occupied West Bank is deeply alarming.

He said today’s violent incidents southwest of Nablus, which resulted in the killing of four Palestinians and two Israelis, injuries to several others, and extensive damage to Palestinian property, underscore the urgent need to protect civilians and prevent further escalation in the occupied West Bank.

Mr. Alakbarov said Israel must take immediate steps to prevent settler violence, to protect civilian communities, and ensure those responsible for attacks are held accountable. And he said Palestinians must unequivocally reject violence and incitement to take immediate steps to prevent attacks against Israelis.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-24

Two Danish coastal cliffs where palaeontologists have uncovered 55-million-year-old fossils of prehistoric wildlife are likely to gain World Heritage status as UNESCO's committee meets in South Korea

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Residents of Hijes, Spain, and nearby towns used tractors, water tanks, and sprays to create firebreaks and control wildfires threatening their communities.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #wildfire #spain #hijes

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As wildfires rage in central Spain, residents of Hijes and of neighboring municipalities joined forces to extinguish a fire threatening their town.

#wildfire #spain #heatwave #climatechange #europe #News #Reuters #Newsfeed

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Long-awaited reforms to Hong Kong's sexual offence laws will introduce stricter penalties for sexual crimes, but survivors warn that the proposed changes don’t go far enough to protect victims. Jessie, a survivor who shared her story with AFP, said she felt “oppressed and helpless” after testifying against the man she said attacked her. The judge had acquitted the defendant, saying he may have "honestly but mistakenly" believed that she consented.

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European Commissioner Michael McGrath stressed the importance of protecting free, independent and pluralist media across all EU Member States.

Speaking during the press conference on the Rule of Law Report, McGrath said journalists must be able to carry out their public service role freely and safely.

He highlighted the European Media Freedom Act, which largely came into application last August, and said the Commission is working with Member States to ensure full implementation.

McGrath also underlined the importance of the protection and safety of journalists, saying all Member States are expected to take the necessary steps to safeguard their working environment.

He referred to the Anti-SLAPP Directive, which aims to protect journalists and public watchdogs from abusive lawsuits linked to public participation.

McGrath said the EU directive covers cross-border SLAPP cases, but the Commission also encourages Member States to address domestic SLAPPs through national measures.

He also mentioned media funding support, including the Media Resilience Programme and the future AgoraEU programme under discussion in the next EU budget.

His message was clear: democracy depends on respect between public authorities, the judiciary, media and civil society — and journalists must be protected from intimidation, pressure and abusive legal action.

#MediaFreedom #RuleOfLaw #Journalists

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

- Trip Announcement/Syria
- Security Council
- Syria/Transitional Justice
- Middle East
- Senior Appointment
- Lebanon
- Sudan
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Afghanistan
- Rwanda
- Venezuela
- UNHCR/Mauritania

TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT/SYRIA

The Secretary-General will arrive in Syria later this week at the invitation of the Government of Syria. In Damascus, he is scheduled to meet with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, as well as other government officials including the Foreign Minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani.

This will be António Guterres’ first visit to Syria as Secretary-General of the United Nations. Throughout his stay in Syria, he will reaffirm the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the Syrian Government and the Syrian people at this defining period in the country’s history. He will also underscore the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty, its unity, and its territorial integrity.

The visit will offer the Secretary-General an opportunity to witness both the hope and the challenges of the political transition and recovery, as well as the impact of the enduring of years of conflict. During the visit, he will hear first-hand from representatives of Syrian civil society, women’s organizations and diverse communities.

While in Syria, the Secretary-General also plans to visit our colleagues from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, otherwise known as UNDOF.

We will continue to keep you informed with details of the visit as it happens.

SECURITY COUNCIL

This morning, the Security Council also met to discuss Syria. Claudio Cordone, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, briefed from Damascus and told council members that despite the challenges, the opportunities for Syria are indeed real.

He said the past month has demonstrated both the opportunities and the fragility of Syria's transition. He told council members that important institutional milestones have been reached, but building confidence will require an effective and balanced system of governance, with the meaningful participation by women and all components of Syrian society, continued progress on accountability and transitional justice, and tangible improvements in the daily lives of the Syrian people.

Mr. Cordone also reiterated our support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, adding that sustained commitment from the international community, including the Security Council, remains critical.

Also briefing was our colleague Edem Wosornu, who, as you know, is OCHA’s Director of the Crisis Response Division. She also briefed on the humanitarian situation in the country.

Since December 2024, she said, some 1.7 million refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned to their communities, but recovery is not measured only by how many people return. It is measured by whether they can stay, whether they can rebuild and whether they can survive.

For many families in the country, she said daily life continues to be defined by difficult choices and uncertainty.

She asked council members for sustained and predictable humanitarian funding, investments in the foundations of recovery and finally, she called on them to prevent further instability, protect civilians and preserve humanitarian access.

Those remarks have been shared with you.

SYRIA/TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

Also staying on Syria, there will be an Arria-formula meeting of the Security Council on transitional justice and the issue of missing people in Syria. Our friend the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, will be briefing.

He will stress that justice and inclusivity, centred on victims, survivors, and the families of the missing, are essential to rebuilding trust and securing a more peaceful future for all Syrians.

His remarks will be shared with you and posted online.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-21

European Commissioner Michael McGrath presented the opening remarks on the 7th edition of the Rule of Law Report, describing it as a key tool to monitor and protect democracy across the European Union.

McGrath said the report examines rule of law developments in all Member States and, since 2022, includes recommendations that help drive reforms through cooperation between the Commission, Member States and EU institutions.

He stressed that the rule of law is not an abstract legal concept, but something citizens feel directly in their daily lives: equal rules for all, transparent institutions, accountability, protection against corruption and journalists who can speak truth to power.

McGrath compared the annual Rule of Law Report to a regular health check for Europe, helping to prevent problems before they deepen.

He said this year’s report shows a broadly positive trajectory, with nearly one in two recommendations from 2025 addressed fully or partially by Member States, although progress remains uneven.

The Commissioner highlighted examples from Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, including judicial reforms, anti-corruption measures and new lobbying transparency rules.

McGrath also underlined the importance of the European Media Freedom Act, saying free and independent media are not a luxury of democracy, but one of its foundations.

Looking ahead, he said the Commission will strengthen the link between rule of law recommendations and EU financial support in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, while also preparing new anti-corruption initiatives, including a review of the EU’s anti-fraud architecture and measures to strengthen the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

His message was clear: in a time of political polarization, pressure on democratic institutions, economic uncertainty and external threats, the rule of law is not only a principle to defend — it is part of the solution.

#RuleOfLaw #Democracy #AntiCorruption

European Commissioner Michael McGrath confirmed that the Rule of Law Report will continue as an annual exercise of the European Commission.

McGrath said the report adds real value by supporting Member States in improving the rule of law environment in their countries.

He explained that the Commission wants to build a closer link between rule of law recommendations, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and access to EU funds under the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

However, McGrath stressed that there will be no automatic link between a specific recommendation in the annual report and a funding condition.

He said Member States will be required to include investments and reforms that protect and strengthen the rule of law in their national and regional partnership plans.

Those plans, including milestones and targets, will be discussed between Member States and the Commission, with a role for the Council.

McGrath also said compliance with horizontal conditions on rule of law and fundamental rights will be a prerequisite for support under those plans.

His message was clear: the EU is preparing a closer, fairer and more proportionate link between rule of law, fundamental rights and European funding.

#RuleOfLaw #EUFunds #MFF

European Commissioner Michael McGrath stressed the importance of protecting free, independent and pluralist media across all EU Member States.

Speaking during the press conference on the Rule of Law Report, McGrath said journalists must be able to carry out their public service role freely and safely.

He highlighted the European Media Freedom Act, which largely came into application last August, and said the Commission is working with Member States to ensure full implementation.

McGrath also underlined the importance of the protection and safety of journalists, saying all Member States are expected to take the necessary steps to safeguard their working environment.

He referred to the Anti-SLAPP Directive, which aims to protect journalists and public watchdogs from abusive lawsuits linked to public participation.

McGrath said the EU directive covers cross-border SLAPP cases, but the Commission also encourages Member States to address domestic SLAPPs through national measures.

He also mentioned media funding support, including the Media Resilience Programme and the future AgoraEU programme under discussion in the next EU budget.

His message was clear: democracy depends on respect between public authorities, the judiciary, media and civil society — and journalists must be protected from intimidation, pressure and abusive legal action.

#MediaFreedom #RuleOfLaw #Journalists

European Commissioner Michael McGrath backed the comments of Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen on media freedom and public service media.

McGrath said the key protections are now part of EU law through the European Media Freedom Act.

He stressed that the Commission’s focus is on ensuring the full implementation of the Act across all Member States.

According to McGrath, this includes safeguarding the independence of public service media.

He also underlined that public broadcasters must have an adequate level of funding to carry out their important democratic role.

His message was clear: media freedom in Europe depends not only on legal protections, but also on independent and properly funded public service media.

#MediaFreedom #RuleOfLaw #PublicMedia

European Commissioner Michael McGrath confirmed that the Rule of Law Report will continue as an annual exercise of the European Commission.

McGrath said the report adds real value by supporting Member States in improving the rule of law environment in their countries.

He explained that the Commission wants to build a closer link between rule of law recommendations, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and access to EU funds under the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

However, McGrath stressed that there will be no automatic link between a specific recommendation in the annual report and a funding condition.

He said Member States will be required to include investments and reforms that protect and strengthen the rule of law in their national and regional partnership plans.

Those plans, including milestones and targets, will be discussed between Member States and the Commission, with a role for the Council.

McGrath also said compliance with horizontal conditions on rule of law and fundamental rights will be a prerequisite for support under those plans.

His message was clear: the EU is preparing a closer, fairer and more proportionate link between rule of law, fundamental rights and European funding.

#RuleOfLaw #EUFunds #MFF

A Seattle woman's video of an unusually round raccoon named "Jimothy" went viral this week, drawing millions of views and prompting a wave of sightings from other residents. Kiana Hall, who spotted and named "Jimothy," spoke to Reuters about the animal's unexpected popularity.

#Jimothy #raccoon #seattle #viral #wildlife


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The local government in the Australian city of Canberra once again faced calls to explore a trial of roadside "virtual fence" technology to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife. The renewed push came after a neighboring council across the border committed A$20,000 ($14,000) to test the straightforward technology over a 12-month period.


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European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque said the Commission will replace the 2015 EDIS proposal, describing it as a placeholder that no longer reflects today’s banking reality.

She explained that the objective remains the same: completing the Banking Union and ensuring stronger protection for depositors across Europe.

Albuquerque recalled that the Banking Union was created after the financial and sovereign debt crises, when banks created risks for states and states created risks for banks.

She said the EU must finally address this “doom loop” between banks and sovereigns, while avoiding the use of taxpayers’ money in future banking crises.

The Commissioner stressed that liquidity must be guaranteed if a bank fails, especially in the case of cross-border banks with parent companies and subsidiaries in different Member States.

She underlined that all Europeans should feel their deposits are equally protected, with the existing €100,000 deposit guarantee applying across the EU.

Albuquerque also made clear that Europe is not trying to copy the United States or any other jurisdiction.

Her message was strong: the EU must complete its Banking Union, protect citizens’ deposits and build a European financial model that is efficient, competitive and fully its own.

#Banks #BankingUnion #EDIS #EUFinance

European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque said the EU should take another look at how Basel III rules have been implemented in Europe.

She explained that other competing jurisdictions within the Basel framework adapt the rules to their own banking sectors, specificities and policy objectives.

Albuquerque said the EU has made choices in the past that included some additional layers, or “gold plating”, at European level.

With the benefit of experience, she argued that the Commission now needs to review whether some of those layers remain necessary.

A key focus will be proportionality, especially for small and non-complex institutions with simpler business models and limited international activity.

She stressed that proportionality is not only about the size of a bank, but also about whether its business model is simple or complex.

Albuquerque said the EU should remove unnecessary complexity while continuing to protect financial stability as a prerequisite.

Her message was clear: Europe can make banking rules easier, more proportionate and more competitive without abandoning the core objective of a stable financial system.

#BaselIII #BankingUnion #EUFinance #Banks

European Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque said simplification is now a core principle for everything the European Commission does.

She explained that every new initiative must ask whether it is being designed in the simplest possible way.

However, Albuquerque stressed that simplification does not automatically mean using omnibus packages, especially in a complex sector like banking.

She said the EU banking framework is complex because it must preserve financial stability and protect the progress achieved since past crises.

The Commissioner underlined that banking reform is not about helping banks for their own sake, but about ensuring that banks can finance Europe’s economy.

She argued that the sector requires a broad and coherent approach that can deliver major simplification without weakening safeguards.

Albuquerque also said that completing the Banking Union would itself be a major simplification exercise.

Her message was clear: Europe needs simpler banking rules, but simplification must be done carefully, consistently and in a way that strengthens the economy.

#BankingUnion #EUFinance #Simplification #Banks

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra defended the Commission’s proposal to broaden the aviation scope of the EU Emissions Trading System during the Q&A on the ETS review and energy package.

Hoekstra said the current situation is difficult to justify: passengers flying from Brussels to southern Italy, southern Spain or Greek islands pay ETS costs, while similar flights to nearby destinations across the Mediterranean may not.

He argued that from both a climate perspective and a level playing field perspective, it makes sense to cast the net wider.

At the same time, Hoekstra stressed that Europe is not asking anything from others that it is not also asking from itself.

He also explained how ETS revenues and free allowances should be reinvested. Companies receiving free allowances will be required to invest 100% of that value in decarbonisation on European soil.

Member States, meanwhile, will be required to direct 50% of ETS revenues back into the industrial sectors that generated the money.

Hoekstra said this is essential to avoid repeating the current problem, where ETS revenues do not sufficiently return to the industries that need to decarbonise.

His message was clear: the ETS review is designed to protect fairness, strengthen European industry and make sure climate revenues support real clean investment in Europe.

#Hoekstra #ΕTS #Aviation #CleanIndustry

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said the European Commission continues to support a global solution for cutting aviation emissions, stressing that aviation is one of the most international sectors in the world.

Speaking during the Q&A on the ETS review and Energy Package, Hoekstra said the preferred outcome remains the successful implementation of the ICAO CORSIA global carbon offsetting system.

However, he warned that the current geopolitical environment creates uncertainty about how fully CORSIA will be implemented in the early 2030s.

Hoekstra said the Commission’s proposal strikes a balance between ambition and pragmatism, giving CORSIA every opportunity to succeed while ensuring Europe is prepared if a global system falls short.

He explained that if CORSIA becomes a fully effective global framework, additional regional or domestic measures would no longer be necessary.

His message was clear: the best solution is a worldwide aviation climate system—but until that is guaranteed, Europe must protect both the climate and a level playing field.

#Hoekstra #CORSIA #ETS #Aviation

European Commissioner Michael McGrath presented the opening remarks on the 7th edition of the Rule of Law Report, describing it as a key tool to monitor and protect democracy across the European Union.

McGrath said the report examines rule of law developments in all Member States and, since 2022, includes recommendations that help drive reforms through cooperation between the Commission, Member States and EU institutions.

He stressed that the rule of law is not an abstract legal concept, but something citizens feel directly in their daily lives: equal rules for all, transparent institutions, accountability, protection against corruption and journalists who can speak truth to power.

McGrath compared the annual Rule of Law Report to a regular health check for Europe, helping to prevent problems before they deepen.

He said this year’s report shows a broadly positive trajectory, with nearly one in two recommendations from 2025 addressed fully or partially by Member States, although progress remains uneven.

The Commissioner highlighted examples from Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, including judicial reforms, anti-corruption measures and new lobbying transparency rules.

McGrath also underlined the importance of the European Media Freedom Act, saying free and independent media are not a luxury of democracy, but one of its foundations.

Looking ahead, he said the Commission will strengthen the link between rule of law recommendations and EU financial support in the next Multiannual Financial Framework, while also preparing new anti-corruption initiatives, including a review of the EU’s anti-fraud architecture and measures to strengthen the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

His message was clear: in a time of political polarization, pressure on democratic institutions, economic uncertainty and external threats, the rule of law is not only a principle to defend — it is part of the solution.

#RuleOfLaw #Democracy #AntiCorruption

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra defended the Commission’s proposed EU ETS review during the Q&A on the ETS and energy package.

Hoekstra said the debate should not focus only on the linear reduction factor, arguing that climate ambition must be judged by the full package of measures.

He explained that the proposal sets a 3.7% linear reduction factor for the first five years and 1.7% for the following five years, with more work done earlier because later emissions cuts become harder.

Hoekstra stressed that the figures are fully aligned with the European Climate Law and the EU’s climate targets.

He said the major difference compared with the current system is the stronger focus on investment on European soil, support for clean industry and measures to ensure a level playing field.

According to Hoekstra, Europe must avoid a situation where industry leaves the EU, because that would hurt the climate, businesses and workers.

His message was clear: Europe must produce in Europe, protect jobs and make industry much cleaner — not export emissions and lose competitiveness.

#WopkeHoekstra #EUETS #ClimateAction #CleanIndustry

EU foreign policy chief Kallas visits EU naval mission in the Red Sea

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited personnel serving with the EU's ASPIDES and ATALANTA naval missions, receiving operational briefings and meeting troops deployed to help protect shipping routes in the Red Sea. Euronews correspondent Toby Gregory accompanied Kallas during the visit.

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European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen presented the European Commission’s energy package and electrification plans during the press conference on the ETS review and clean transition.

Jørgensen warned that Europe’s dependence on external energy is economically unsustainable, saying the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already cost Europe more than €50 billion in extra energy payments without receiving any additional energy.

He said Europe needs more homegrown clean energy to protect its economy, strengthen competitiveness and fight climate change.

A central message of his remarks was electrification. Jørgensen said Europe’s electrification rate has been stuck at 23%, and the Commission now wants to double it in 14 years.

He argued that Europe must replace “black, expensive, polluting molecules” with “cheap, clean, homegrown electrons.”

The plan includes lowering electricity prices, reducing fossil fuel subsidies, accelerating renewables and nuclear, expanding smart meters, improving grid flexibility and reaching 200 gigawatts of storage capacity by 2030.

Jørgensen also highlighted the role of electric technologies in homes, transport and industry, including heat pumps, electric vehicles, electric furnaces and e-boilers.

He said switching from gas boilers to heat pumps could cut the average EU household’s heating bill by up to 60%, while clean electrification value chains already employ more than 4 million people across the EU.

His message was clear: Europe must choose lower bills, cleaner air, homegrown energy, security and electrification — because the age of fossil fuels is coming to an end.

#DanJørgensen #CleanEnergy #Electrification

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with the first Ukrainian Order of Europe during the ceremony for the Day of Ukrainian Statehood and the Day of the Baptism of Kyivan Rus-Ukraine.

In a powerful speech, Zelenskyy recalled 28 February 2022, when Ukraine submitted its application to join the European Union while Russian forces were at the gates of Kyiv, air strikes were hitting the country, and Ukraine’s leadership was working amid fortifications and sandbags.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine already believed then that its future would be peaceful and European. He thanked von der Leyen for believing in Ukraine from the beginning, before support for Ukraine became “mainstream.”

He highlighted Ukraine’s European path: the application, candidate status, accession negotiations and the opening of clusters on the road to full EU membership.

The Ukrainian President said the hearts of Ukraine and Europe had long been open to one another, and that the opening of all accession clusters would only confirm what Ukrainians already know: Ukraine and Europe are one home.

Zelenskyy said he had signed the law creating the Order of Europe and was honoured to present the first award to von der Leyen for her personal contribution to Ukraine’s EU path, resilience, independence and the security of Europe.

The ceremony ended with a message of unity, resilience and faith in victory, as Zelenskyy called on Ukrainians to protect their statehood, freedom and one another.

The message from Kyiv was clear: Ukraine remembers who stood with it when the danger was greatest — and Europe’s support is now part of Ukraine’s historic path to freedom and EU membership.

#Ukraine #VonDerLeyen #Zelenskyy #OrderOfEurope

EU High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas held a bilateral meeting with Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister of Djibouti, during her visit to the country.

The meeting underlined the European Union’s growing focus on the Horn of Africa, a region central to maritime security, regional stability, migration, trade routes and the security of the Red Sea.

Djibouti plays a strategic role at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and global shipping lanes, making cooperation with the EU especially important at a time of rising geopolitical tension.

For Kallas, the meeting was part of the EU’s wider effort to strengthen partnerships with key African countries and support stability in a region affected by conflict, humanitarian pressure and security risks.

The message from Djibouti was clear: Europe is deepening its engagement in the Horn of Africa, working with regional partners to protect stability, secure maritime routes and respond to shared challenges.

#KajaKallas #Djibouti #HornOfAfrica #RedSea

EU High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas held a bilateral meeting with Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister of Djibouti, during her visit to the country.

The meeting underlined the European Union’s growing focus on the Horn of Africa, a region central to maritime security, regional stability, migration, trade routes and the security of the Red Sea.

Djibouti plays a strategic role at the crossroads of Africa, the Middle East and global shipping lanes, making cooperation with the EU especially important at a time of rising geopolitical tension.

For Kallas, the meeting was part of the EU’s wider effort to strengthen partnerships with key African countries and support stability in a region affected by conflict, humanitarian pressure and security risks.

The message from Djibouti was clear: Europe is deepening its engagement in the Horn of Africa, working with regional partners to protect stability, secure maritime routes and respond to shared challenges.

#KajaKallas #Djibouti #HornOfAfrica #RedSea

The Trump administration's latest nominee to lead the nation' top public health agency drew frustrated reactions from some U.S. senators on Wednesday when they pressed her on whether she would protect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from political meddling.

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An international team of about 80 scientists and crew will sail to Greenland aboard the polar research ship RSS David Attenborough to study whether the island's melting glaciers could disrupt a major Atlantic current system and alter Europe's climate.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #BoatyMcBoatface #RSSdavidAttenborough #Greenland #GlacierMelt #ClimateChange #AtlanticCurrent #BritishAntarcticSurvey #NationalOceanographyCentre #ArcticResearch #ClimateScience #GlobalWarming #PolarResearch #BreakingNews #WorldNews #Science #Environment #2026 #ClimateEmergency

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Iran's president on Tuesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's "rude language" against his country as the U.S. launches further strikes in the region. Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would retaliate and "respond in action and protect what we believe in, every inch of our soil."

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Okinawa is one of Japan’s best-known manta ray habitats, but researchers say basic questions remain about how the animals move, where they feed and how they may be affected by warming seas, coral reef degradation and the pressure of tourism. Now a group of divers are deploying a systematic approach to tagging these sea creatures to track their movements and how they live.

(AP video shot by Katie Tam)

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EU High Representative Kaja Kallas outlined a packed agenda ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council, with Ukraine, Russia sanctions, the Black Sea, Armenia, the Middle East, the Gulf, Sudan and the Western Balkans all on the table.

Kallas said ministers would begin with the issue of Ukrainian civilian detainees held in Russian-occupied territories. She stressed that beyond prisoners of war and abducted children, civilians such as teachers and journalists are also being detained, and the EU is looking at ways to help secure their release and gather better information about their cases.

On Ukraine, Kallas said the EU hopes to agree on 250 new listings — the largest number so far — as a response to Russia’s recent attacks on civilians. She also said work continues on the 21st sanctions package, although agreement has not yet been reached.

She also highlighted the EU’s Black Sea strategy, including cooperation between Bulgaria and Romania on a maritime hub to protect critical infrastructure and respond to hybrid threats.

Kallas said ministers would discuss a new partnership mission for Armenia to help counter hybrid threats, as well as the Middle East and Gulf security, including the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz open and protect freedom of navigation.

On the Middle East, she said the Commission’s options paper is now on the table, with member states expected to discuss whether they are ready to support more concrete measures.

Her message was clear: the EU wants tougher action on Russia, more support for Ukraine, stronger protection of strategic regions, and clear pressure on actors destabilising the Middle East, Sudan and the wider European neighbourhood.

#KajaKallas #Ukraine #RussiaSanctions

President Trump said he wanted Gulf nations to reimburse the United States for helping protect the Strait of Hormuz and regional security.

#trump #hormuz #iran #shipping #middleeast #News #Reuters #Newsfeed

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa arrived in Paris, France, where they were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron for the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine.

The Paris meeting brought together European and allied leaders to strengthen support for Ukraine and discuss security guarantees as Russia’s war continues. Reuters images showed von der Leyen, Costa, Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other leaders attending the meeting at Les Invalides in Paris.

The Coalition of the Willing talks focused on how Europe can deliver more concrete support for Ukraine, including military assistance, long-term security guarantees and stronger air and missile defence. Reporting from Paris said Ukraine and nine European countries announced a new initiative to develop a shared ballistic missile defence system for Europe, aimed at countering the threat from Russian missile attacks.

For von der Leyen and Costa, the arrival in Paris sent a clear message of EU unity: Europe is not only discussing Ukraine’s future — it is trying to organise the defence, financing and security architecture needed to protect it.

Macron’s welcome underlined France’s central role in the Coalition of the Willing, as European leaders push to keep Ukraine armed, protected and politically backed against Russia.

The message from Paris was clear: Europe is stepping up, Ukraine remains at the centre of the continent’s security, and Russia must see that support for Kyiv is not fading.

#Ukraine #VonDerLeyen #Costa #Macron

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa arrived in Paris, France, where they were welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron for the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine.

The Paris meeting brought together European and allied leaders to strengthen support for Ukraine and discuss security guarantees as Russia’s war continues. Reuters images showed von der Leyen, Costa, Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other leaders attending the meeting at Les Invalides in Paris.

The Coalition of the Willing talks focused on how Europe can deliver more concrete support for Ukraine, including military assistance, long-term security guarantees and stronger air and missile defence. Reporting from Paris said Ukraine and nine European countries announced a new initiative to develop a shared ballistic missile defence system for Europe, aimed at countering the threat from Russian missile attacks.

For von der Leyen and Costa, the arrival in Paris sent a clear message of EU unity: Europe is not only discussing Ukraine’s future — it is trying to organise the defence, financing and security architecture needed to protect it.

Macron’s welcome underlined France’s central role in the Coalition of the Willing, as European leaders push to keep Ukraine armed, protected and politically backed against Russia.

The message from Paris was clear: Europe is stepping up, Ukraine remains at the centre of the continent’s security, and Russia must see that support for Kyiv is not fading.

#Ukraine #VonDerLeyen #Costa #Macron

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen receives the Special Panel report on children’s safety online, opening the door to stronger EU action against harmful social media platforms and addictive digital design.

The report, handed over by Professor Jorg M. Fegert and Dr Maria Melchior, examines how online platforms, algorithms and harmful digital features affect children’s mental health, wellbeing and development.

Von der Leyen’s message is powerful: parents should raise children — not predatory algorithms. She warns that social media is not a toy and that Europe must protect children from systems built to capture attention, encourage addiction and expose young users to harmful content.

The European Commission will now review the report and prepare a proposal after the summer, with possible measures on age-appropriate restrictions, safer platform design, age verification and a social media start date for children.

#ChildSafety #BigTech #VonDerLeyen #SocialMedia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says children’s safety online is an absolute priority and that Europe needs a common approach to protect young people from the risks of social media.

Speaking after receiving the Special Panel report on children’s safety online, von der Leyen says the debates happening across EU Member States show a major societal change and a growing awareness of the risks children face online.

Her message is clear: online risks do not stop at national borders, and separate national decisions are not enough. The European Commission will study the different proposals from Member States and work toward a harmonised EU solution.

Von der Leyen says there is now broad agreement that social media platforms must be regulated when they seek access to children — including at what age, under what conditions, and only if platforms can prove they respect safety and provide age-appropriate content.

#VonDerLeyen #ChildSafety #SocialMedia #BigTech

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says children’s safety online is an absolute priority and that Europe needs a common approach to protect young people from the risks of social media.

Speaking after receiving the Special Panel report on children’s safety online, von der Leyen says the debates happening across EU Member States show a major societal change and a growing awareness of the risks children face online.

Her message is clear: online risks do not stop at national borders, and separate national decisions are not enough. The European Commission will study the different proposals from Member States and work toward a harmonised EU solution.

Von der Leyen says there is now broad agreement that social media platforms must be regulated when they seek access to children — including at what age, under what conditions, and only if platforms can prove they respect safety and provide age-appropriate content.

#VonDerLeyen #ChildSafety #SocialMedia #BigTech

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen receives the report of the Special Panel on Children’s Safety Online, marking a major step toward new EU action to protect children from harmful digital platforms.

The report was handed over by the panel’s co-chairs, Professor Jorg M. Fegert and Dr Maria Melchior, after months of expert work on the risks, harms and impact of social media algorithms on children.

Von der Leyen says the evidence is clear: Europe must protect childhood from addictive design, predatory algorithms, harmful content, cyberbullying and online risks that affect children’s sleep, mental health and wellbeing.

Her message to Big Tech is direct: platforms created these systems, and now they must prove that their services do no harm. The European Commission will review the report and present a proposal after the summer on children’s online safety, age-appropriate restrictions and safer access to social media.

#ChildSafety #VonDerLeyen #BigTech #SocialMedia

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a powerful warning on children’s safety online, saying Europe must act to protect children from addictive algorithms, harmful content and social media platforms that were never designed with their wellbeing in mind.

Speaking as the Special Panel on Child Safety Online handed over its report, von der Leyen says parents should raise children — not predatory algorithms. She warns that young people across Europe now spend 4 to 6 hours a day on screens, while many face anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, sleep loss and exposure to harmful content.

Her message to Big Tech is direct: social media is not a toy. Platforms built these systems, and now they must prove they do no harm. Under the Digital Services Act, Europe’s rule is “safety by design,” with providers required to remove harmful features, addictive algorithms, dark patterns and unsafe content.

Von der Leyen also backs age-appropriate restrictions, a privacy-preserving EU age verification app, and a possible social media start date for children. Reuters reports that the Commission plans to propose new EU-wide limits on children’s social media access, with a tiered approach expected after the summer.

The message is clear: Europe is preparing a major fight with Big Tech to protect childhood before algorithms shape another generation.

#VonDerLeyen #ChildSafety #BigTech #SocialMedia

As hazards become more frequent, complex and interconnected, cities face growing risks driven by climate change, rapid urbanization, population growth and development patterns that place people and assets in harm’s way. Extreme heat, flooding, earthquakes, technological disruptions and other hazards threaten lives, infrastructure and development gains. Ahead of the 2026 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction under the theme “Resilience Starts at Home”, this session poses an urgent question: are our cities built to protect people where they live? With SDGs 6, 9 and 11 under review, this discussion highlights why investing in resilient cities is essential to safeguard communities and sustain progress.

Speakers:

- Mr. Kamal Kishore, SRSG for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR
- Dr. Esam Halawani, Decision Support Center Director, Al Madina Region Development Authority

Moderator: Ms. Elaine Reyes, News Anchor, UN Insider & Americas Now (CGTN America)

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Ukraine is now doing better militarily, financially and politically than at any time during Russia’s war.

Speaking at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Stubb said Ukraine’s improved position is strongly linked to its growing long-range strike capacity, including drones and missiles.

He said Ukraine is using those capabilities to hit Russian oil refineries and other critical energy infrastructure, putting increasing pressure on Moscow and its war machine.

But Stubb also stressed that Ukraine urgently needs stronger air defence. He said it is extremely important to find Patriot missiles and air defence systems for Ukraine, so Kyiv can better protect its people, infrastructure and military forces from Russian attacks.

His message from Ankara was clear: Ukraine is hitting Russia harder than ever — but to survive and win, it still needs more air defence, more Patriots and faster Western support.

#Ukraine #Stubb #PatriotMissiles #Russia

The hillsides in Andalusia stand scorched after Spanish firefighters managed to protect houses from the fast-moving fire in Los Gallardos that killed at least 12 people and has so far burned around 6.600 hectares.

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European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde welcomes the European Parliament’s vote to ensure that the euro is accepted across the euro area — both in cash and in digital form.

Lagarde says the decision is an important step toward making the euro fit for the future, protecting the role of cash while preparing for a digital euro that would be free, simple, inclusive and available for everyday payments across the euro area.

The European Parliament confirmed its negotiating position on the digital euro in Strasbourg, opening the way for final talks with EU governments. Lawmakers want the digital euro to strengthen Europe’s payment sovereignty, protect privacy and financial stability, and reduce dependence on non-European payment systems.

For Lagarde and the ECB, the message is clear: Europe’s currency must remain trusted, accessible and accepted everywhere — whether people pay with banknotes, coins or a future digital euro.

#Lagarde #DigitalEuro #ECB #Euro

Israel's has launched a project aimed at clearing part of the seas to give beach space back to the population. The Associated Press was granted an exclusive inside look at the initiative.

#shorts #israel #seamunition #exclusive #middleeast

Palestinians in Sinjil, occupied West Bank, have formed a grassroots volunteer group to defend their town from rising settler violence, saying the Israeli military and their own government have proved unable or unwilling to protect them.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #Sinjil #WestBank #SettlerViolence #Palestinians #IsraeliSettlers #OccupiedWestBank #MiddleEast #SettlerAttacks #WestBankViolence #PalestinianRights #Netanyahu #GazaWar #BreakingNews #WorldNews #IsraelNews #HumanRights #Displacement #NightPatrols

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Demand for SK Hynix's $28 billion US share sale was more than seven times available shares, underscoring huge investor appetite. George Godber, UK Fund Manager at Polar Capital, explains why it is such a popular stock.

#News #SKHynix #artificialintelligence #technology #Reuters #Newsfeed

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After surging by the most since May, oil prices eased as markets reassessed the risk to crude supplies. George Godber from Polar Capital told Reuters that while traders may be underestimating the risk, the most sensible assumption is that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.

#News #Markets #Business #Reuters #Newsfeed


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US President Donald J. Trump said he remains deeply frustrated with NATO, accusing Allies of relying too heavily on the United States while not being there for America in return.

Speaking during his bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Trump said the US pays “billions and billions” too much to protect other countries. He argued that Washington protects NATO Allies, but they do not always offer the same support when the United States needs it.

Despite his criticism of the Alliance, Trump strongly praised Mark Rutte, calling him a “great leader” and saying NATO countries are lucky to have him.

Trump described Rutte as one of NATO’s biggest assets, even as he continued to press Allies on burden-sharing, defence spending and fairness toward the United States.

The exchange captured the tension of the Ankara Summit: Trump attacking NATO’s cost to America while openly backing Rutte’s leadership.

#Trump #NATO #MarkRutte

US President Donald J. Trump raised Greenland as a major security concern during the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, while accusing NATO Allies of not treating the United States fairly.

Trump said Greenland is a “big problem” for Washington and argued that the United States has spent more than $1 trillion protecting European countries from Russia, even though he claimed the threat is geographically distant from America.

He criticised Allies for not being there when the US wanted support, saying Washington has long protected Europe but has not received the same level of backing in return.

Trump also said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte understands his concerns, linking the Greenland issue to wider frustrations over burden-sharing, transatlantic fairness and the future of NATO security.

The remarks added another tense moment to the Ankara Summit, showing how Greenland, Russia, NATO spending and US frustration with European Allies have become central issues in the Alliance debate.

#Trump #Greenland #NATO #Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said NATO is a defensive Alliance protecting one billion people across the United States, Canada and 30 European Allies.

Speaking after the meeting of Heads of State and Government at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Rutte stressed that NATO will never attack another country. But he made clear that if anyone tries to attack NATO territory, the Alliance will respond forcefully and defend itself.

Rutte said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine belongs to an outdated playbook of the 19th and 20th centuries, arguing that in the 21st century no country should attack another sovereign nation.

He also underlined that NATO is defending more than territory. It is defending democratic values, including free elections, free media, the right of journalists to report, and the right of people to demonstrate and express their views.

His message was clear: NATO is defensive, but not weak. The Alliance stands ready to protect its territory, its people and its democratic way of life.

#NATO #MarkRutte #Democracy #Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was asked about Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ statement that Greece still faces an open threat of war from Türkiye.

Speaking after the meeting of Heads of State and Government at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Rutte said NATO is an Alliance of 32 nations and that bilateral issues between Allies can arise.

But he made clear that his role is not to act as a public commentator on disputes between NATO members. Instead, he said his priority is to maintain Alliance unity.

Rutte explained that when there are discussions or irritants between Allies, he avoids public comments so that he can be useful behind the scenes if the countries involved want NATO’s support.

His message was diplomatic but clear: NATO wants to keep Greece and Türkiye inside the same Alliance framework, avoid public escalation and preserve unity at a time of major security pressure from Russia, Ukraine, Iran and wider regional instability.

#NATO #Greece #Türkiye #MarkRutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed US disappointment over European support during Operation Epic Fury, saying the issue was not about NATO as an institution, but about individual bilateral agreements between the United States and European Allies.

Rutte acknowledged that Washington was disappointed in some specific cases involving access to bases, but described these as isolated examples.

He stressed that, when looking at Europe as a whole, European Allies largely fulfilled their bilateral agreements with the United States.

According to Rutte, this support enabled up to 5,000 sorties from European bases during Epic Fury, making Europe a major platform for US power projection.

He said the operation would have been very difficult without European bases, underlining why the United States has long invested in its European Allies: to keep America safe, protect the Atlantic and ensure threats such as Russian nuclear submarines do not reach US shores.

His message was clear: despite tensions and criticism, Europe remains central to American military power and transatlantic security.

#NATO #MarkRutte #EpicFury #UnitedStates

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that Russia and China pose a growing strategic risk in the Arctic, saying the Alliance must work together to keep the region safe.

Speaking after the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, Rutte said concerns about Arctic security are justified, especially as Russia and China seek greater access and influence in the High North.

He said NATO’s Arctic defence effort involves the seven countries bordering the Arctic: the United States, Canada, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway. These countries, backed by the rest of the Alliance, are working together to protect Arctic security through initiatives including Arctic Sentry, launched by the Supreme Allied Commander.

Rutte also addressed Greenland, saying separate trilateral talks are taking place between the United States, Greenland and Denmark. These talks are focused on future investments, possible deployments and ensuring that any commitments remain valid if Greenland’s constitutional position within the Kingdom of Denmark changes.

His message was clear: the Arctic is becoming a major security front for NATO — and the Alliance does not want Russia or China to gain the upper hand.

#NATO #ArcticSecurity #MarkRutte #Greenland #Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the United States remains fully committed to NATO, stressing that the Alliance is also essential for American security.

Rutte said NATO helps protect the United States by securing the Atlantic, Europe and the Arctic — preventing threats such as Russian nuclear submarines from reaching America’s shores.

But he also underlined Washington’s clear expectation: European Allies and Canada must equalise their defence spending with the United States.

According to Rutte, that is now happening.

He described the increase in European and Canadian defence spending as a major victory for President Trump, who has long pushed Allies to spend more, and a loss for Vladimir Putin, as NATO becomes stronger, better funded and more capable.

His message from the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye was clear: the US commitment to NATO remains strong, but Europe and Canada must carry more of the defence burden — and they are now moving in that direction.

#NATO #MarkRutte #Trump #Putin #DefenceSpending

US President Donald J. Trump met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, in a tense bilateral moment dominated by Iran, NATO burden-sharing, Greenland and Spain.

Trump praised the Summit and thanked President Erdoğan for hosting, but quickly shifted to sharp criticism of Iran, saying the United States had responded forcefully after attacks on ships and warning that Tehran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

He also expressed frustration with NATO Allies, saying they were not ready to help the United States on Iran, even though Washington has spent heavily to protect Europe from Russia. Trump argued that the US has carried too much of the NATO burden for too long.

The US President also raised Greenland as a major issue and criticised NATO’s handling of it, while reserving some of his strongest words for Spain, accusing Madrid of failing to pay enough, refusing to participate properly and being a poor NATO partner.

Despite his criticism, Trump praised Mark Rutte as a strong NATO Secretary General and called him one of the Alliance’s biggest assets.

The meeting showed both sides of the Ankara Summit: public unity among NATO leaders, but also deep tensions over defence spending, Iran, Greenland, Spain and the future of transatlantic burden-sharing.

#NATO #Trump #MarkRutte #Iran #AnkaraSummit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte addressed the Iran ceasefire and recent attacks on ships, saying the United States was right to react forcefully.

Rutte said the response was “absolutely necessary” after Iran violated the ceasefire. He pointed to ships being attacked as evidence that firm action was needed to protect security and stability.

His message was clear: when a ceasefire is broken and maritime security is threatened, NATO Allies cannot ignore it.

The statement comes as NATO leaders discuss wider security challenges at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, including Iran, freedom of navigation, regional instability and the need to protect key maritime routes.

#NATO #MarkRutte #Iran #Ceasefire #Hormuz

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, as Ukraine pressed Allies for stronger air defence against Russia’s daily missile and drone attacks.

The bilateral meeting came as Ukraine’s urgent need for Patriot air-defence missiles dominated summit discussions. Major media reported that Zelenskyy was expected to press partners for more Patriot interceptors, while Reuters framed the Summit around major NATO arms deals, defence production and continued support for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen has repeatedly stressed that a strong Europe means a strong NATO, and that the EU is mobilising major defence investment to close capability gaps, strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base and deepen cooperation with Ukraine’s battlefield-tested defence sector.

For Zelenskyy, the message in Ankara is urgent: Ukraine needs more air defence, more anti-ballistic capabilities and faster military support to protect civilians, soldiers and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks.

The meeting also underlined the growing role of the European Union in Ukraine’s defence future — from funding and industrial cooperation to joint procurement and long-term security support.

The message from Ankara is clear: Europe is standing with Ukraine, NATO is focused on deterrence, and Kyiv’s most urgent request is more Patriot missiles to stop Russia’s attacks.

#Ukraine #VonDerLeyen #Zelenskyy #NATO #PatriotMissiles

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, as Ukraine pressed Allies for stronger air defence against Russia’s daily missile and drone attacks.

The bilateral meeting came as Ukraine’s urgent need for Patriot air-defence missiles dominated summit discussions. Major media reported that Zelenskyy was expected to press partners for more Patriot interceptors, while Reuters framed the Summit around major NATO arms deals, defence production and continued support for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen has repeatedly stressed that a strong Europe means a strong NATO, and that the EU is mobilising major defence investment to close capability gaps, strengthen Europe’s defence industrial base and deepen cooperation with Ukraine’s battlefield-tested defence sector.

For Zelenskyy, the message in Ankara is urgent: Ukraine needs more air defence, more anti-ballistic capabilities and faster military support to protect civilians, soldiers and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks.

The meeting also underlined the growing role of the European Union in Ukraine’s defence future — from funding and industrial cooperation to joint procurement and long-term security support.

The message from Ankara is clear: Europe is standing with Ukraine, NATO is focused on deterrence, and Kyiv’s most urgent request is more Patriot missiles to stop Russia’s attacks.

#Ukraine #VonDerLeyen #Zelenskyy #NATO #PatriotMissiles

The EU will "always ensure" the interests of member states are "fully protected", a European Commission spokesman says, after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off all trade with Spain. "We expect the US to honour its commitments under that joint statement as we have honoured ours," EU trade spokesman Olof Gill says, referring to a trade pact signed last year between Brussels and Washington. SOUNDBITE

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Road closures and bamboo bridges made by volunteers help protect Taiwan's largest terrestrial crab species during breeding season when they return to ‌the sea to lay eggs.

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For egg-carrying crabs navigating the coastal mangrove forests of Tainan in southern Taiwan, the journey to the sea is perilous — but they don't make it alone. A passionate band of volunteers is helping to protect local mangrove land crabs by monitoring population numbers, collecting research data and closing roads during peak migration periods.

#taiwan #crab #sea #tainan

Washington remains completely committed to NATO, despite concerns about US President Donald Trump's willingness to protect allies, the military alliance's secretary general says at the opening of a key summit. SOUNDBITE

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Nairobi man shares home with rescued birds

Nairobi's 'Birdman' Rodgers Magutha rescues injured birds and lives with them, while defending his unusual bond with wildlife and conservation work.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, thanking NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and Türkiye for hosting the Summit and the Defence Industry Forum.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s defence companies have crucial battlefield experience to share with NATO Allies. He stressed that Ukraine has hundreds of defence sector companies, and that their innovation and real war experience can help strengthen cooperation with partners.

But his most urgent message was about air defence.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs to find a way to receive as many missiles as possible, as quickly as possible, for Patriot air defence systems. He specifically referred to PAC-3 and PAC-2 missiles, saying they are urgently needed to protect civilians, critical infrastructure and Ukrainian soldiers from Russia’s daily attacks.

He said Russia is beginning to show weakness on the battlefield, but warned that this is not enough. Ukraine still needs more pressure on Moscow, more anti-ballistic capabilities and stronger sanctions.

The message from Ankara is clear: Ukraine is fighting, Russia is weakening, but Kyiv urgently needs Patriot missiles to defend its people and keep the pressure on Putin.

#Ukraine #Zelenskyy #NATO #PatriotMissiles #Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, delivering a strong message of support for Ukraine as Russia continues its daily attacks.

Rutte praised Ukraine’s recent battlefield successes, including strikes against Russian energy and defence infrastructure deep inside Russia. He said Ukraine is also slowing Russia’s advances on the frontline, while Moscow continues to pay an enormous human cost.

Rutte warned that Vladimir Putin is willing to sacrifice 30,000 to 35,000 Russian soldiers a month, calling on young Russians to think again before joining the military.

But both leaders made clear that Ukraine’s most urgent need remains air defence.

Rutte repeated it three times: “Air defence. Air defence. Air defence.” He said Ukraine’s cities, civilians and vital infrastructure must be protected.

President Zelenskyy thanked NATO and Türkiye for hosting the Summit and stressed the importance of Ukraine’s defence industry sharing battlefield experience with Allies. He said Ukraine urgently needs more missiles for Patriot air defence systems, including PAC-3 and PAC-2 missiles, to defend civilians and Ukrainian soldiers against Russia’s daily attacks.

Zelenskyy said Russia is showing weakness on the battlefield, but warned that this is not enough. Ukraine needs more pressure, more anti-ballistic systems and stronger sanctions on Russia.

The message from Ankara is clear: Ukraine is fighting, Russia is bleeding, but Kyiv urgently needs more air defence to protect its people and keep pressure on Putin.

#NATO #Ukraine #Zelenskyy #WeAreNATO #PatriotMissiles

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a major new NATO Drone Edge initiative at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, Türkiye, warning that drones have fundamentally changed modern warfare.

Rutte said drones are now a decisive factor on the battlefield — from Ukraine to the Middle East and across the Alliance — while NATO Allies have also faced repeated drone incursions.

In response, NATO Allies will invest more than $40 billion in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years, building systems to detect, identify and neutralise hostile drones before they threaten Allied territory. NATO also aims to train five times as many drone operators in Allied armed forces by the end of 2027.

To speed up procurement, NATO will launch a counter-drone marketplace, making sure systems are NATO-tested, NATO-compatible and available for rapid purchase. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency will also support contracts worth hundreds of millions of euros for surveillance drones.

Rutte said NATO is increasing drone training through NATO Flight Training Europe, with Finland, France and Sweden joining the project, bringing participation to 20 Allies and 16 training centres across eight countries.

The message from Ankara is clear: NATO is building a drone-ready Alliance — investing in transatlantic defence industries, learning battlefield lessons from Ukraine, and preparing to protect nearly 1 billion citizens against the full range of drone threats.

#NATO #DroneWarfare #MarkRutte #Ukraine

NATO’s New Industrial Power: Rutte Calls for More Weapons, Faster Production, Stronger Defence! NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte delivered a powerful keynote speech at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, Türkiye, calling for a transatlantic defence industrial revolution to confront a more dangerous world.

Using a football analogy during the World Cup, Rutte said no team wins alone. NATO, he argued, works the same way: political leaders set the direction, armed forces are on the pitch every day, and the defence industry provides the equipment, innovation and production capacity that make deterrence and defence possible.

Rutte said Allies have already made major progress since the NATO Summit in The Hague, where they committed to invest 5% of GDP in defence, accelerate production and speed up innovation. European Allies and Canada spent nearly 20% more on defence last year, adding $139 billion, while the combined increase for 2025 and 2026 is projected at $258 billion.

But Rutte warned that money alone is not enough. Cash must become real capabilities: more air defence systems, strike capabilities, satellite communications, ammunition, drones, counter-drone systems and resilience. He said $37 billion has already been invested in expanding the defence industrial base itself, including larger factories, new production lines and more capacity.

By next year, NATO expects to produce around four million artillery shells annually — almost twice as many as last year. But Rutte warned the match is far from over.

He said Russia is pouring almost half of its national budget into its war machine, while China, North Korea and Iran continue expanding military capabilities and increasingly working together. His warning was clear: NATO does not have the luxury of time.

Rutte called for long-term orders, faster contracts, a “bonfire of red tape”, stronger supply chains, skilled workers and greater industrial risk-taking. He also said NATO is releasing, for the first time, a public consolidated demand signal to help industry understand exactly what the Alliance needs.

His message to defence companies was direct: NATO needs you to produce more, innovate faster and help protect nearly 1 billion people across the Alliance.

From Ukraine’s battlefield-driven drone innovation to cooperation with the EU and Indo-Pacific partners, Rutte said NATO must combine the assets, technologies and industries of 32 Allies to show Russia and the world that the transatlantic defence industrial base is mobilising with purpose.

#NATO #MarkRutte #DefenceIndustry #Ukraine #Russia

NATO Allies opened a new chapter in Allied space operations at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum in Ankara, announcing major multinational projects to strengthen space, surveillance and early warning capabilities.

NATO said space is no longer a distant frontier. It is now critical infrastructure for economies, military operations and security. Modern armed forces depend on satellites for communications, intelligence, surveillance, missile tracking and battlefield connectivity.

The biggest announcement was HALO — Hybrid Alliance Layered Operations in Space — a new multinational project launched by eight Allies: Denmark, Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and Türkiye.

HALO will explore the development of a mega-constellation designed to improve high-speed communications, intelligence and missile tracking. The goal is to overcome the limits of single-nation satellite fleets, which can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, jamming and physical destruction.

NATO also highlighted its space-based intelligence initiative APSS — Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space, with Spain becoming the 19th Ally to join. Spain will contribute coastal surveillance imagery from its Atlantic constellation satellites.

Türkiye announced major new investments in space and surveillance, including two high-resolution satellites built by TÜBİTAK Space Institute, low-orbit satellite and military communications systems with ASELSAN, and early warning radar systems under its Steel Dome air defence architecture.

NATO also pointed to the Starlift initiative, involving Allies and Indo-Pacific partners, to build resilient launch infrastructure so replacement satellites can be launched quickly in an emergency.

The message from Ankara is clear: NATO is moving beyond land, sea and air. The Alliance is building a stronger space shield to protect communications, detect threats, track missiles and defend nearly 1 billion citizens in a more dangerous world.

#NATO #SpaceSecurity #HALO #MissileDefence

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a major expansion of the Alliance’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities with the purchase of up to five MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft.

Rutte said ISR is vital for NATO because it gives Allies the situational awareness needed to make the right decisions and stay ahead of threats.

The Triton aircraft will provide persistent surveillance over large maritime areas, day and night. Flying for long periods at high altitude, they can cover vast open-water zones more efficiently than most other aircraft.

Rutte said Triton will help NATO detect threats early, protect sea lines of communication, and support operations in demanding regions such as the High North.

Built by Northrop Grumman, with transatlantic industry supporting mission systems, data infrastructure and operations, the project is another example of “Made in NATO” cooperation — creating jobs and strengthening security on both sides of the Atlantic.

Denmark, Finland, Germany and Norway are participating in the Triton initiative, boosting NATO’s ability to monitor critical maritime areas and defend Allied territory in a more dangerous world.

#NATO #Triton #NorthropGrumman #MarkRutte #ISR

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a major upgrade to the Alliance’s airborne warning and control power with the joint procurement of up to 10 Saab GlobalEye aircraft.

For decades, NATO has relied on its E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System fleet as the Alliance’s “eyes in the sky,” operating from northern Norway to southern Türkiye. But Rutte said those aircraft are reaching the end of their lives — and NATO must now prepare for the next generation of threats.

The new GlobalEye aircraft will protect NATO’s owned and operated surveillance and early warning capability for decades to come. From a single platform, GlobalEye can provide simultaneous surveillance across air, maritime and land domains, giving commanders a clear operational picture.

Rutte said the system can detect, track and identify complex threats, including drone swarms, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles — exactly the threats NATO must be ready to face in a more dangerous world.

The programme is another “Made in NATO” success story, delivered by European and Canadian industries with essential contributions from US industry. Several Allies are also launching a multinational project to procure and field more airborne early warning capabilities for their national needs.

#NATO #GlobalEye #Saab #MarkRutte #AirDefence

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced a major expansion of the Alliance’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities with the purchase of up to five MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft.

Rutte said ISR is vital for NATO because it gives Allies the situational awareness needed to make the right decisions and stay ahead of threats.

The Triton aircraft will provide persistent surveillance over large maritime areas, day and night. Flying for long periods at high altitude, they can cover vast open-water zones more efficiently than most other aircraft.

Rutte said Triton will help NATO detect threats early, protect sea lines of communication, and support operations in demanding regions such as the High North.

Built by Northrop Grumman, with transatlantic industry supporting mission systems, data infrastructure and operations, the project is another example of “Made in NATO” cooperation — creating jobs and strengthening security on both sides of the Atlantic.

Denmark, Finland, Germany and Norway are participating in the Triton initiative, boosting NATO’s ability to monitor critical maritime areas and defend Allied territory in a more dangerous world.

#NATO #Triton #NorthropGrumman #MarkRutte #ISR

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that if Ukraine is granted a license to manufacture Patriot missiles, it could protect the country and its neighbors, saying the main challenge is a shortage of interceptors.

#ukraine #zelenskyy

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“We need to be proactive and vigilant, and act before warning signs become mass graves,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated on prevention of genocide in his remarks to the General Assembly.

Earle Courtenay Rattray delivered remarks on behalf of the Secretary-General, presenting the 18th report on the Responsibility to Protect and warning that early warning signs of atrocity crimes are too often ignored.

Speaking at the 97th plenary meeting, Rattray said the report takes stock of two decades of progress since Member States committed to the Responsibility to Protect principle. “Atrocity crimes can happen anywhere. But their effects on the world, and on our humanity, are shared. While prevention begins at home, it can be supported collectively,” he said.

The report, he noted, reaffirms the responsibility of States to ensure cooperation with affected communities, civil society, and regional and international organizations. “The report we are discussing today — the 18th since this commitment was made — takes stock of two decades of progress. It includes a clear re-affirmation of the responsibility of States to ensure constructive and sustained cooperation with affected communities, civil society, subregional and regional organizations and the United Nations,” Rattray stated.

He pointed to a sharp rise in global conflict as evidence of the urgency of the report's findings. “This report is not only about looking back. It's also about taking action, now. The Responsibility to Protect commitment is more vital than ever. The world faced more than 120 conflicts in 2025. Conflicts are becoming more protracted, more complex, and more interconnected,” the Chef de Cabinet said.

Rattray added that responses to atrocity risks continue to fall short. “Too often, early warning signs are ignored. And responses are often too little, too late. This report makes specific calls to strengthen the Responsibility to Protect norm for this new era of instability and geopolitical risk,” he told the Assembly.

At the national level, he said, the report calls on Member States to invest in prevention and protection programming. “At the national level, it calls on Member States to invest in national prevention and protection programming, and forge partnerships with civil society by designating focal points and establishing new domestic institutional arrangements,” Rattray noted.

He said the report also calls for atrocity prevention to be woven into regional and multilateral tools. “At the regional and multilateral levels, it calls for integrating atrocity prevention across all the tools of peacemaking, conflict prevention and humanitarian efforts - including mediation and preventive diplomacy and dialogue, as well as security, technological, human rights and accountability frameworks,” he said.

Rattray closed with a call to the Member States, “We need to be proactive and vigilant, and act before warning signs become mass graves.”

Four Bengal tiger cubs, including a rare white tiger, were born at the Cuban National Zoo as the country grapples with economic difficulties and widespread shortages.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #world #Americas #Cuba #zoo #BengalTiger #wildlife

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended the strength of the Alliance, saying that debate is not a weakness — it is what makes NATO strong.

Speaking ahead of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Rutte said NATO is a democratic Alliance, which means Allies will always discuss, debate and disagree. But for 77 years, he stressed, NATO has always found common ground when it matters most.

His message was clear: NATO’s number one task is defence. The Alliance exists to protect the United States, Canada and Europe — and to make sure that no enemy could ever mount a successful attack against NATO territory.

At a time of war in Europe, rising Russian threats and pressure on Allied defence spending, Rutte’s remarks underline NATO’s central promise: democracies may debate, but when security is at stake, they stand together.

#NATO #MarkRutte #Article5 #Russia #EuropeanSecurity

UN chief António Guterres appealed on Monday for far-reaching, worldwide controls on Artificial Intelligence, as increasingly powerful AI chips that are designed for civilian use shift to the battlefield, where “killer robots” are already the norm.

Addressing the inaugural UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, the Secretary-General also insisted on the need for greater accessibility for the billions of people unable to access the revolutionary tech.

He insisted that any future agreement must be “worthy of global trust” and put safety first – and especially children’s - to protect them from digitally-generated manipulation and abuse.

Narrowing the digital gap
Other priorities for global checks and balances on AI should include locked-in access to the self-learning tech for developing countries, while all AI data centres should be powered by renewable energy by 2030, the UN chief stressed.

Although AI “sits at the heart of our common future”, it needs to be one where “machines can inform, but humans must decide, and answer”, Mr. Guterres told the summit gathered in Geneva, echoing calls for AI rules that he first made to the General Assembly in 2017.

In the three years since AI went mainstream, it has had a revolutionary impact across economies and societies, for better and for worse. Ahead of this, the UN has been leading international efforts to shape controls on the tech, culminating in Monday’s inaugural Global Dialogue on AI in Geneva.

The meeting involves companies, researchers, technical experts and civil society to discuss how to put humanity at the core of the transformative technology. A second Dialogue is scheduled for May 2027 in New York.
"AI is too consequential to be shaped by a few. We need a conversation that is global, inclusive and grounded in evidence," insisted Amandeep Singh Gill, UN Special Envoy for Digital and Emerging Technologies.


‘Great equalizer’
Used well and shared widely, AI “could compress decades of development into years” and become “the great equalizer of the 21st century”, the UN Secretary-General told delegates.

But before this can happen, the technology should be tested thoroughly for safety and legal responsibility assigned:
“When countries align on how to test systems, measure risk and assign responsibility, safety travels with the technology,” he said. “When they do not, a patchwork of incompatible rules raises costs, divides the world – and protects no one.”

Children’s safety and wellbeing should be priority in any future governance accord, Mr. Guterres continued, as he called for nations to adopt an AI Child Safety Pledge. “No child should be a guinea pig for unregulated AI…We do not let medicine reach a child until it is proven safe. We test every toy; yet AI has reached our children – their learning, their friendships, their most private questions, before anyone asked what it would do to them.”

What’s the Child Safety Pledge?

Under the UN child safety pledge, AI developers would need to prove:
• That the tech is safe – no company should deploy an AI system accessible to children without child-specific safety testing and independent oversight;
• Zero tolerance for sexual abuse – no company should allow its AI to generate sexual images of children; every company must detect, report, and remove them;
• When a child shows signs of distress, “the system must stop and connect them to real human support”, the UN chief said. “When a child is harmed, the answer must never be “the algorithm did it,” the UN chief said.
Human rights a priority
As second priority on AI controls, the UN chief stressed that human rights are not negotiable.
“AI must never strip away dignity or entrench discrimination. And in every high-stakes decision – in justice, in healthcare, in policing – machines can inform, but humans must decide – and answer,” he said.
Public funding in AI ‘a rounding error’
In a call for greater public investment in AI, the Secretary-General noted that private funding for AI infrastructure is approximately $500 trillion, while public support for AI capacity in developing countries remains “a rounding error”, by comparison.
To help close this gap, the UN chief announced that more than 20 countries had supported his initiative for a UN-supported Global Network for Exchange and Cooperation on AI Capacity Building.
“We cannot allow the digital divide to harden into an AI divide and the AI divide to become a development gap, a security gap, and a sovereignty gap,” he said.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte sends a clear message ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara: all 32 Allies must work together with as few barriers as possible to defend NATO territory.

Rutte says NATO must strengthen cooperation across the Alliance and across the Atlantic, especially when it comes to defence industrial output, joint production and sharing military capabilities. His message is practical and political: democratic Allies may disagree, but they must solve disputes and come together when security is at stake.

The remarks come as NATO’s Ankara Summit and Defence Industry Forum focus on turning the historic 5% defence investment plan into real production, cooperation and joint procurement. NATO says this year’s forum is centred on increased defence production and stronger industrial deterrence for the Alliance.

Rutte also stresses that internal political disagreements are normal in a democratic Alliance. His role, he says, is often to work discreetly behind the scenes to help solve long-standing issues between Allies — including between EU and non-EU European countries, Canada and the United States.

His final message is powerful: NATO has only one goal — to protect every inch of Allied territory against Russia, terrorism and any other threat. That requires unity, fewer barriers, and maximum cooperation from Europe to North America.

#NATO #Russia #DefenceIndustry #AnkaraSummit

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte says the United States is delivering on its PURL commitment to Ukraine, with air-defence interceptors already being sent and used on the battlefield.

Speaking ahead of the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Rutte praises Washington for keeping the flow of critical military aid moving through the PURL mechanism, while warning that NATO’s existing stockpiles of interceptors are limited.

His message is urgent: Ukraine needs more air defence, Russia’s attacks are continuing, and NATO must produce more interceptors to protect Ukrainian cities from missiles and drones. Rutte says Ukraine is already working with NATO Allies and partners to expand production, but warns that this will not bring immediate results.

The remarks come as NATO leaders gather in Ankara with Ukraine support and air defence high on the agenda. Fresh reports say Russia’s latest strikes on Kyiv killed at least 22 people, increasing pressure on NATO to provide stronger air-defence support.

Rutte’s message is clear: the United States is helping, Europe and Canada must keep backing Ukraine, and NATO must move from emergency deliveries to long-term weapons production.

#Ukraine #NATO #Patriot #AirDefence

Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/EudebatesTvLIVE?sub_confirmation=1 🔴LIVE from the European Parliament plenary session: debate on updated EU air passenger rights with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.

The debate follows the agreement reached with the Council to update EU rules on air passenger rights for the first time since 2004.

Parliament negotiators resisted efforts to weaken passenger protections when flights are cancelled or delayed, or when passengers are denied boarding.

The new rules aim to improve ticket price transparency, strengthen the rights of disabled passengers, and allow parents to sit next to their children at no extra charge.

The debate comes as millions of Europeans continue to face delays, cancellations, hidden fees and uncertainty when travelling by air.

The key question is simple: will the new EU rules make flying fairer for passengers — or will airlines still find ways around them?

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Ukraine must continue receiving the weapons it needs to defend itself against Russia — especially the Patriot interceptors that protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

Speaking ahead of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Rutte welcomed the G7’s latest statements on Ukraine and said Allies are focused on keeping the flow of equipment going.

He stressed that support must come from both sides of the Atlantic: Europeans are providing major help, but some essential systems can only come from the United States — including interceptors for Patriot air defence systems.

Rutte said there is a strong American and European commitment to keep supplies moving and make sure the money is there through the PURL programme, which helps finance priority military equipment for Ukraine.

He also pointed to the EU’s Ukraine Support Loan as another tool now “kicking into gear” to help sustain Kyiv’s defence. While he refused to give numbers, Rutte said he is confident that Europe and America will collectively make sure Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself. NATO’s transcript confirms Rutte singled out Patriot interceptors as crucial for defending Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure.

As Russian attacks continue, the message is clear: Ukraine’s fight depends on air defence, ammunition, funding and the continued unity of NATO Allies.

#NATO #Ukraine #Patriot #MarkRutte #Russia

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Alliance is ready to support efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, if requested.

Speaking ahead of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Rutte said the issue is legally outside NATO territory, but European Allies are already preparing. He pointed to a UK–French-led initiative involving many countries, with major pre-deployment of assets close to the theatre over the past two months.

According to Rutte, European Allies have been preparing capabilities such as demining, radar and other technologies needed to help secure maritime routes after the US-Iran deal. He said G7 leaders have discussed how this initiative could help deliver on the commitment to fully restore freedom of navigation.

Rutte made clear that NATO is not forcing itself into the operation. If NATO’s role is helpful, it is ready to help. If Allies can do it without NATO, that is also acceptable.

His message was careful but important: after the US-Iran deal, Europe is preparing to protect one of the world’s most critical shipping routes — and NATO is standing by if needed.

#NATO #MarkRutte #Iran #StraitOfHormuz #FreedomOfNavigation

The post Instrumentalised Migration or an Instrumentalised Court? appeared first on Verfassungsblog.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that the Alliance cannot keep shooting down cheap drones with very costly interceptors.

Speaking alongside Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, Rutte said NATO must urgently develop counter-drone technologies that match the low cost of the threat. His message was clear: if drones and drone swarms are cheap, NATO’s response must be fast, smart and affordable.

Rutte said Ukraine’s battlefield experience is essential, because Ukraine is already facing drone warfare every day. He stressed that NATO is “laser-focused” on delivering cutting-edge counter-drone defences at speed — moving from rapid experimentation to real capabilities that can protect Allied forces, skies and countries.

He also pointed to NATO’s recent ground-based interceptor exercises, including Project Flight Trap as part of Sabre Strike 26 in Lithuania, as an example of how the Alliance is testing new ways to defeat drones before they threaten NATO territory.

Ahead of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Rutte said more counter-drone initiatives are expected, as NATO pushes to transform innovation into real defence capability faster than before.

#NATO #MarkRutte #DroneWarfare #Ukraine #AirDefence

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs delivered a direct warning at NATO Headquarters: “The best way to protect us is to prepare for the worst.”

Asked about NATO’s presence in Latvia, the Baltics and the eastern flank, Kulbergs said the answer is clear: more Allied forces are needed on the ground.

For Latvia, deterrence means readiness. A stronger NATO presence, better defence capabilities and deeper Allied cooperation are the only way to face the growing security threats coming from the east.

His message was simple but powerful: doing more now is safer than doing too little later. As Russia’s war continues to reshape Europe’s security, Latvia is calling for stronger protection, stronger deterrence and a NATO eastern flank ready for any scenario.

#NATO #Latvia #Russia #EasternFlank #Deterrence

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica says European investment in Egypt and the wider region depends on stability, trust and predictable conditions.

Speaking in Cairo during the press point with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Šuica stresses that private investors need stable financial markets and a stable judicial system before committing capital.

She highlights EU financial instruments such as guarantees, blending and funding, saying each euro should be multiplied to mobilise larger investment.

Šuica refers to the investment conference where European investors pledged €49 billion and points to the EU–Egypt Investment Platform, which aims to mobilise €10.8 billion.

On the green transition, she says the EU is staying the course, but the process must happen step by step and not abruptly.

Her message is clear: the Mediterranean’s green transition must protect both the sea and the air, while delivering prosperity for the 600 million people living across the region.

#eudebates #Egypt #Cairo #EUEgypt #Investment #GreenTransition #Mediterranean #CleanEnergy

Mark Carney’s “Forward Guidance” on Canada’s energy future is more than a national policy message. It is a powerful inspiration for Europe, the European Union and Ursula von der Leyen.

Carney frames energy as the central test of sovereignty, affordability, security and climate action. He warns that global trade is being restructured, conflicts are driving up gas and food prices, AI is transforming economies, and climate change is intensifying storms, floods and wildfires.

His core message is striking: when a country controls its energy, it controls its future. Canada, he argues, must move faster, build bigger and work together — especially on energy infrastructure.

For Europeans, the lesson is clear. Europe faces the same three crises Carney describes: energy affordability, energy security and climate transition. The answer is not hesitation, but a massive push for homegrown, reliable, clean energy.

Carney’s strongest line could apply directly to the EU: the path to affordability is electrification, the path to competitiveness is electrification, and the path to sustainability is electrification.

He also stresses the need to double energy infrastructure, invest at scale, reform permitting, link systems, build with Indigenous peoples, and use a wide range of technologies — hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, gas, carbon capture and geothermal.

For Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission, this is a strategic message: climate policy must become industrial policy, energy security must become sovereignty, and the green transition must be built fast enough to protect citizens from outside shocks.

Canada’s energy future offers Europe one big lesson: values are not enough unless they are powered by infrastructure, investment and trust.

#eudebates #MarkCarney #Canada #EnergyFuture #VonDerLeyen #EuropeanUnion #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition

Pope Leo XIV visited Lampedusa, Italy, on the 250th anniversary of US independence, urging the world to treat migrants with greater humanity and calling on Americans to welcome and protect immigrants as a Catholic value of defending life.
#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #PopeLeo #PopeLeoXIV #Lampedusa #July4 #USIndependenceDay #250thAnniversary #ImmigrationPolicy #MigrantCrisis #Mediterranean #Vatican #CatholicChurch #Italy #Europe #WorldNews #BreakingNews #HumanRights #MigrantRights #PopeLeoImmigration

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Pope Leo marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence with an appeal to Americans to welcome and protect immigrants, in a letter sent to his home country as he visited Italy's migrant frontline island of Lampedusa. Reuters Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee explains.

#popeleo #vatican #lampedusa #immigration #july4

Donald Trump called on Americans to protect their freedoms against what he called a "communist" threat posed by progressive Democrats.

#trump #communism #america250 #july4

European Council President António Costa and ECB President Christine Lagarde take the stage at Les Rencontres Économiques d’Aix-en-Provence 2026 for a high-level debate on how Europe can navigate an uncertain world.

Moderator Benoît Cœuré opens with a stark warning: Europe must stop only worrying about the future and start delivering urgent solutions — on productivity, innovation, artificial intelligence, technology and the protection of Europe’s social model.

Costa presents Europe’s competitiveness strategy around the idea of “One Europe, One Market”: completing the Single Market, advancing the Savings and Investments Union, cutting bureaucracy, strengthening industrial policy, reducing strategic dependencies and tackling high energy prices.

Lagarde argues that Europe has a monetary union with the euro — but still lacks a real financial union. She warns that too many barriers still block the circulation of capital across Europe, limiting the funding needed for innovation, the energy transition and defence.

The debate also turns to geopolitics: Ukraine, China, unfair competition, transatlantic tensions, trade agreements, energy independence, European payment infrastructure and the future digital euro.

Their message is clear: Europe has the values, the institutions and the economic weight — but in a world without clear bearings, it must move faster, invest more, protect its sovereignty and turn ambition into power.

#Costa #Lagarde #eudebates #ECB #Competitiveness #Euro #Ukraine #China

European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis warns that global economic fragmentation is becoming a reality — and that businesses must stay engaged as Europe debates how to protect industry without sliding into protectionism.

Speaking in Istanbul during a fireside chat with Sinan Ülgen, Dombrovskis says the EU and Türkiye both face major trade deficits with China, driven in part by Chinese non-market policies and unfair competition.

He says Europe must be ready to defend itself when competition is unfair — but not by closing its markets to everyone. The challenge is to target specific problems without triggering broad economic isolation.

Dombrovskis frames the global imbalance in one striking formula: China needs to consume more, the United States needs to consume less, and Europe needs to invest more.

His message is clear: economic security must be a growth agenda, not a zero-sum game. To reduce global tensions, Europe must invest, China must rebalance, and major economies must cooperate before fragmentation becomes irreversible.

#Dombrovskis #EUTurkiye #Türkiye #Turkey #EUdebates #China

Mark Carney delivers a Canada Day speech in Ottawa with a message that echoes the big strategic warnings now heard across Europe: the world is more dangerous, economies are under pressure, democracies are being tested and countries must take control of their future.

Carney and Von der Leyen Share One Message: Democracies Must Build Strength or Be Tested! From Brussels to Ottawa: Carney Echoes von der Leyen’s Warning on Trade Wars, Defence and Democracy!


Carney says Canada faces a trade war it did not start, attacks on democracy and freedoms, climate change, global insecurity and wars abroad. His answer is national unity, resilience and action.

Like Ursula von der Leyen’s message to Europe, Carney calls for a country that can build faster, strengthen its economy, protect its values, invest in defence and reduce vulnerability in a more divided world.

He points to Bill C-5 as a national building permit and urges Canada to “build baby build” — homes, energy corridors, trade routes, defence capacity and one stronger Canadian economy.

Carney also calls for rebuilding and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces, saying leadership is defined not only by values, but by the value of strength.

His message is clear: Canada cannot wait for others to shape its future. It must unite, build, rearm, compete, protect democracy and act with confidence in a turbulent world.

#MarkCarney #CanadaDay #Canada #Ottawa #VonDerLeyen #BuildBabyBuild #TradeWar #Democracy #Defence #CanadianArmedForces #EconomicSecurity #StrategicAutonomy #ClimateChange #G7 #eudebates

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks in Cork during the press conference marking the visit of the College of Commissioners to the Irish Presidency.

On the alumina issue, von der Leyen says the European Commission is waiting for Ireland to complete its investigation before discussing the results together. She stresses that it is for Ireland to lead the investigation and set the timeframe.

Von der Leyen also addresses the issue of social media and children’s safety online. She says an expert group is currently working on the matter and will hand over its report to her on 13 July.

The report is expected to provide a comprehensive concept for different age groups and possible delays in social media access across the European Union.

Von der Leyen says the question is not only when children or teenagers should have access to social media, but when social media has access to children and teenagers.

Her message is clear: the EU is preparing a legal proposal to protect children online and create a common European approach to social media access and safety.

#VonDerLeyen #Ireland #eudebates #IrishPresidency #SocialMedia #ChildSafety #OnlineSafety

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin says maritime security is extremely important for Ireland and for Europe, especially when it comes to protecting undersea cables and critical infrastructure.

Speaking in Cork during the press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Martin says Ireland has an investment plan to provide more facilities and resources, with increased spending planned in the coming years.

He stresses that technology will play a key role in defending subsea cables, pointing to research at the Tyndall National Institute on sensors and advanced systems designed to protect critical undersea infrastructure.

Martin says this work is part of wider cooperation with European partners and also links to NATO’s Partnership for Peace framework, where there is growing attention to subsea cables, energy and critical maritime infrastructure.

His message is clear: protecting Europe’s undersea infrastructure is now a strategic priority, and Ireland sees technology, investment and international cooperation as essential to maritime security.

#MichealMartin #Ireland #eudebates #IrishPresidency #MaritimeSecurity #UnderseaCables #SubseaCables

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks in Cork during the press conference marking the visit of the College of Commissioners to the Irish Presidency.

Von der Leyen refers to the visit to the Tyndall National Institute, where she and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin saw research on advanced cable and sensor technologies.

She highlights research using extremely thin cables and acoustic signals to detect activity under the sea, including passing ships, sea mammals, earth movements and human-related activity.

Von der Leyen says this kind of innovation can help answer a key challenge: how to strengthen maritime security while keeping the right balance between surveillance and privacy.

Her message is clear: Europe needs to protect critical undersea infrastructure, but it must do so with technologies that support security without interfering in the daily lives of citizens.

#VonDerLeyen #Ireland #eudebates #IrishPresidency #MaritimeSecurity #UnderseaCables #SubseaCables

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin says maritime security is extremely important for Ireland and for Europe, especially when it comes to protecting undersea cables and critical infrastructure.

Speaking in Cork during the press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Martin says Ireland has an investment plan to provide more facilities and resources, with increased spending planned in the coming years.

He stresses that technology will play a key role in defending subsea cables, pointing to research at the Tyndall National Institute on sensors and advanced systems designed to protect critical undersea infrastructure.

Martin says this work is part of wider cooperation with European partners and also links to NATO’s Partnership for Peace framework, where there is growing attention to subsea cables, energy and critical maritime infrastructure.

His message is clear: protecting Europe’s undersea infrastructure is now a strategic priority, and Ireland sees technology, investment and international cooperation as essential to maritime security.

#MichealMartin #Ireland #eudebates #IrishPresidency #MaritimeSecurity #UnderseaCables #SubseaCables

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks in Cork during the press conference marking the visit of the College of Commissioners to the Irish Presidency.

Von der Leyen refers to the visit to the Tyndall National Institute, where she and Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin saw research on advanced cable and sensor technologies.

She highlights research using extremely thin cables and acoustic signals to detect activity under the sea, including passing ships, sea mammals, earth movements and human-related activity.

Von der Leyen says this kind of innovation can help answer a key challenge: how to strengthen maritime security while keeping the right balance between surveillance and privacy.

Her message is clear: Europe needs to protect critical undersea infrastructure, but it must do so with technologies that support security without interfering in the daily lives of citizens.

#VonDerLeyen #Ireland #eudebates #IrishPresidency #MaritimeSecurity #UnderseaCables #SubseaCables

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks in Cork during the press conference marking the visit of the College of Commissioners to the Irish Presidency.

On the alumina issue, von der Leyen says the European Commission is waiting for Ireland to complete its investigation before discussing the results together. She stresses that it is for Ireland to lead the investigation and set the timeframe.

Von der Leyen also addresses the issue of social media and children’s safety online. She says an expert group is currently working on the matter and will hand over its report to her on 13 July.

The report is expected to provide a comprehensive concept for different age groups and possible delays in social media access across the European Union.

Von der Leyen says the question is not only when children or teenagers should have access to social media, but when social media has access to children and teenagers.

Her message is clear: the EU is preparing a legal proposal to protect children online and create a common European approach to social media access and safety.

#VonDerLeyen #Ireland #eudebates #IrishPresidency #SocialMedia #ChildSafety #OnlineSafety

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the College of Commissioners to Cork for the opening of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Martin says it is a privilege and honour for Ireland to hold the Council Presidency for the eighth time, as the EU faces major challenges that require cooperation and delivery for citizens.

He sets out three central themes for Ireland’s six-month Presidency: competitiveness, values and security.

On competitiveness, Martin highlights the need to reduce regulatory and administrative burdens, deepen the Single Market, support strong trade, accelerate decarbonisation while keeping energy affordable, and drive Europe’s digital and AI transformation.

On values and security, he stresses the need to protect European citizens, democracies and the European way of life, built on freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights and dignity.

Martin also says Ireland will work with the Commission on online safety, especially the protection of children online.

On Ukraine, he reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to stand steadfastly with the Ukrainian people after more than four years of Russian aggression, and to support countries that wish to join the European Union on their path to membership.

He also points to the Middle East, saying Ireland wants the EU to act as a principled global actor and welcomes upcoming Commission options on trade with Israeli settlements.

On the EU’s next long-term budget, Martin says Ireland is committed to doing everything possible to reach agreement in the Council by the end of the year.

His message is clear: Ireland’s Presidency begins with ambition, but success will depend on partnership, delivery and close cooperation with the European Commission and all EU Member States.

#MichealMartin #VonDerLeyen #Ireland #Cork #IrishPresidency #EU2026IE

Irish Taoiseach Mich eál Martin responds to questions on EU–US trade, stressing that the relationship between the European Union and the United States remains extraordinarily strong and economically vital.

Martin says the new agreement is “overall a positive” because it provides a landing zone that allows the world’s largest trading relationship to continue, despite recent tensions in the global trade environment.

He also underlines Ireland’s strong relationship with the United States, while pointing out that the wider EU–US trading relationship is powerful in both goods and services.

Looking beyond Washington, Martin backs the European Commission’s strategy to expand trade agreements with global partners, including Australia and India. He cites the EU–Canada CETA agreement as proof of the benefits of trade deals, saying Ireland’s exports have increased fourfold since CETA entered into provisional application.

His message is clear: trade agreements can deliver real growth for European countries — and Ireland will support new EU deals that open markets, strengthen competitiveness and protect prosperity.

#eudebates #EUUS #Trade #UnitedStates #CETA #Canada #Australia #India #TradeDeals

European Coun cil President António Costa says the European Union is fully committed to maintaining strong relations with the United States and stabilising transatlantic trade and political ties.

Speaking in Dublin during the launch of Ireland’s EU Presidency, Costa says the EU–US trade agreement entering into force is “good news” because it gives European and American companies a stable and predictable framework for economic relations.

But Costa also stresses a key political point: Europe and the United States are both sovereign. While the EU celebrates American independence with its US partners, the 27 EU Member States are also independent countries that have chosen to work together as a Union.

His message is clear: Europe wants good relations with Washington — but it will continue to act together, defend its sovereignty and protect its interests as one European Union.

#eudebates #EUUS #Trade #UnitedStates #IrishPresidency #Ireland

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin says Ireland will act as an honest broker in the difficult negotiations over the European Union’s next long-term budget.

Speaking during the launch of Ireland’s EU Presidency, Martin says the challenge is to reconcile the different budget priorities of 27 Member States. Some believe the EU budget is too high, others believe it is too low. Some want to protect traditional pillars such as CAP and cohesion, while others want more investment in competitiveness, research and European industry.

Martin also points to the debate on new EU own resources, including proposals linked to digital services, cryptocurrency, online gambling, ETS and CBAM.

His message is clear: Europe must quickly clarify how much money it can realistically raise — and then match that with the Union’s ambitions for the next seven years.

#eudebates #IrishPresidency #EUbudget #MFF

European Council President António Costa defends the European Union’s trade strategy, stressing that the EU is a global trade powerhouse that prefers agreements over tariffs.

Speaking in Dublin during the launch of Ireland’s EU Presidency, Costa says Europe’s priority is fair, predictable trade with global partners.

He highlights the EU’s expanding network of trade agreements, including with the United States, India, Mexico and Indonesia, and says the EU already has dozens of trade deals in place with more being concluded.

His message is clear: Europe does not want trade wars. It wants strong, stable and rules-based trade relationships that protect businesses, support growth and strengthen the EU’s role in the global economy.

#Trade #Ireland #UnitedStates #Tariffs #TradeDeals

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
AI Panel and Trip Announcement
Finances
Peacekeeping Budget
Deputy Secretary-General
Lebanon
Sudan
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Venezuela
Ukraine
New Resident Coordinators: Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan
Central African Republic
Financial Contribution

AI PANEL AND TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

This morning, the Secretary-General introduced the preliminary report of the Independent Scientific Panel on AI. He noted that the Panel, which is made up of 40 experts from around the world, is the first global, fully independent scientific body dedicated to helping close the AI knowledge gap and assess the real impacts of Artificial Intelligence across economies and societies.

The report will inform the discussions taking place next week at the first Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance, which is taking place in Geneva.

And as he announced himself, the Secretary-General will be in Geneva on Monday to take part in the Dialogue and deliver a keynote address. He is also scheduled to hold a number of bilateral meetings with leaders who will be attending the AI Summit.

FINANCES

The Secretary-General, in a statement issued last night, welcomed the decision by the General Assembly to reform financial rules that were putting the Organization’s stability at risk. By its action, the Assembly has agreed to introduce, for a four-year trial period, a new methodology to ensure that unspent funds are returned to Member States only when they are backed by cash.

The Secretary-General said this decision will allow us to manage resources, especially for regular and peacekeeping budgets, in a more predictable and responsible way, and to better deliver on the mandates given to us by those very Member States.

The Secretary-General added that he had been calling for this change since very early in his mandate.

As he just said to you an hour ago, he is grateful to Member States for taking this important action, which will greatly benefit the incoming Administration and contribute to the financial stability of the Organization for a number of years.

PEACEKEEPING BUDGET

The Department of Peacekeeping Operations add that without the change approved by the General Assembly, the UN would have been forced to return $224 million now and another nearly $900 million by July of next year. The change, together with payment in full and on time by all Member States, will allow our peacekeeping missions to continue implementing their mandates and reverse some of the negative impact of the contingency plans implemented during the recently concluded budget cycle.

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix thanked Member States for their efforts and the time they devoted to reaching these agreements. He said that we will continue working to improve performance and efficiency so that we can deliver the greatest possible impact for the people and communities we serve, including by helping to protect civilians, monitor and maintain ceasefires, and advance solutions for lasting peace.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-07-01

The post Now or never: why the Digital Euro must not fail on privacy appeared first on European Digital Rights (EDRi).

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela speaks in Brazil about sustainable agriculture, coffee production and the importance of local communities in EU–Brazil cooperation.

Síkela says he was happy to visit Minas Gerais, a region known for its coffee, adding that as a coffee fan he is bringing several kilos home with him.

But he stresses that sustainability is the key point when it comes to business, agriculture and the link to deforestation. He says any EU partnership with Brazil must respect high sustainability standards, because failing to do so would go against Europe’s values and narrative.

Síkela also underlines the importance of involving local people and civil society in EU-supported projects. Local communities, he says, know the reality on the ground, can help target investments more precisely and act as a bridge between Europe and official authorities.

His message is clear: EU–Brazil investments must deliver real local benefits, support sustainable agriculture, protect forests and build trust with the communities directly affected.

#eudebates #Brazil #MinasGerais #Coffee #SustainableAgriculture #Deforestation

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela says digitalisation is a crucial part of the EU–Brazil partnership, covering artificial intelligence, telecommunications and the secure flow of digital information.

Speaking in Brazil, Síkela stresses that trust is the central point of the agreement. He says Europe and Brazil are trusted partners that can exchange digital information freely because they respect each other’s standards.

He underlines that digital cooperation is not only about technology, but also about security. Just as people protect their homes, children, bank accounts and money in the physical world, they must also protect them online and in the cloud.

Síkela says the EU and Brazil can do this better together through a trusted and reliable digital partnership that supports innovation, security and the digital transition.

#Sikela #Brazil #DigitalPartnership #AI #Telecommunications #Digitalisation

European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela rejects the use of the word “embargo” in relation to EU rules on animal products entering the European market.

Speaking in Brazil, Síkela says these rules are not an embargo, but part of agreements that are fully compatible with the negotiated framework.

He explains that products from live animals exported to Europe must be free from certain antimicrobials used either to promote growth, increase yield or treat diseases.

Síkela stresses that the issue is linked to immunity and antimicrobial resistance, and that the same restrictions apply to European producers as well as exporters from other countries.

His message is clear: the EU is defending a level playing field. The rules apply equally to all countries and are designed to protect consumers, public health and fair competition.

#MERCOSUR #Brazil #EUTrade #FoodStandards #AnimalProducts

European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra defends the EU’s approach to methane emissions, stressing that methane is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases driving climate change in the short term.

Hoekstra says methane does not stay in the atmosphere as long as CO₂, but it is far more aggressive over a shorter period and therefore creates a serious climate problem.

He argues that while reducing methane in agriculture can be more complex, the oil and gas sector often has a clear business case to stop leaks and prevent methane from escaping into the air.

Hoekstra also points to international support, saying he discussed the issue with Canada’s minister, who was on the same page despite Canada’s major oil and gas industry.

His message is clear: the EU intends to continue diplomatic efforts and solidify existing methane rules, because cutting methane emissions is one of the fastest ways to protect the climate.
#Methane #ClimateAction #GreenhouseGases #OilAndGas #Energy

European Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth Wopke Hoekstra says the Commission is still shaping its upcoming proposal on the EU Emissions Trading System after an orientation debate.

Hoekstra explains that the discussion was not the launch of a formal proposal, but a brainstorming process where ideas could be tested and questions raised.

He says the Commission has been listening closely to Member States and industries in order to design a proposal that is strong from a climate perspective, workable for industry and durable for the years ahead.

Hoekstra also stresses that climate policy must be politically viable. A proposal can be strong in substance, but it must also have “landing rights” in the political arena.

He says he looks forward to presenting the result on July 15.
#ETS #CarbonMarket #EmissionsTrading #ClimatePolicy #NetZero

Cypriot Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou warns that Turkey’s reported intention to invite only 26 EU Member States to COP31 is unacceptable.

Speaking after the Environment Council, Panayiotou says Cyprus has not been invited to any of the preparatory meetings hosted by Turkey, despite being both an EU Member State and a UN Member State.

She stresses that, as COP31 host country, Turkey has a responsibility to invite all UN Member States, including Cyprus, especially as Cyprus also holds a coordination role as Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Panayiotou says excluding an EU and UN Member State from a United Nations conference is contrary to the principles of inclusiveness and equal treatment that underpin the UN system and the UNFCCC process.

She calls on EU institutions and Member States to show unity and solidarity, and to deliver a clear message to Turkish authorities: the non-invitation of Cyprus to COP31 must not be accepted.

Her message is clear: Europe must protect its unity, defend the integrity of the UN climate process and ensure that all EU Member States are treated equally.

#MariaPanayiotou #Cyprus #Turkey #COP31

Seattle Aquarium is celebrating Seattle hosting matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup with soccer-themed ice treats for its otters. The aquarium's senior animal care specialist Katie Kalcik says it's important to celebrate holidays and special moments like these as they draw awareness to wildlife conservation.

#seattle #aquarium #worldcup #fifa #animals

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner calls for urgent progress on EU rules to protect children from sexual abuse.

Brunner says everything that helps protect children is welcome and stresses the need to conclude negotiations on the long-term regulation against child sexual abuse.

He also warns that the current interim gap must be closed, saying children need support and protection as soon as possible.

His message is clear: Europe must act quickly to strengthen online child protection, close legal loopholes and ensure that children are protected from abuse and exploitation.

#eudebates #ChildProtection #ChildSexualAbuse #OnlineSafety

Eighty-one years after the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco, Guterres said the Charter “was a promise to the world that humanity can choose cooperation over chaos, law over lawlessness, dignity over domination, and hope over fear.”

He said, “for 81 years, we have strived to keep that promise alive.”

The Secretary-General said, “no border can hold back a warming planet. No country can govern artificial intelligence alone, and the pandemic alone, or shield its people from global shocks alone. In a world of shared dangers, cooperation is not naivete. It is the clearest idealism there is. But cooperation only works when it's grounded in rules. Rules that apply to all. Rules that protect all, rules set out in the Charter.”

Since 1945 the Charter has been a cornerstone of the international order and guiding framework for multilateralism. The vision set out in the Charter, to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, remains one of the most consequential collective commitments made.

Jürgen Ebner, Acting Executive Director of Europol, presents a new analysis on the European Union’s most threatening criminal networks, alongside European Commissioner Magnus Brunner and Themistos Arnaoutis, Chief of Cyprus Police.

Ebner says the report is not just a repetition of Europol’s previous assessment, but a “pulse check” on how organised crime has evolved and how effective law enforcement has been in disrupting it.

Europol identifies 730 criminal networks involving around 400,000 suspects. Ebner says these groups are agile, borderless, destructive and international by nature, involving around 120 nationalities. Their main business areas include drug trafficking, fraud, online fraud, organised property crime and trafficking in human beings.

He warns that the most resilient networks operate like global criminal enterprises. They are often hierarchical, clan-based, internationally connected, financially powerful, and protected by legal business structures, corruption, intimidation and countermeasures.

Ebner says around 80% of the criminal groups identified two years ago have disappeared, been dismantled or disrupted, showing that international police cooperation works. But he warns that targeting individual criminals is not enough: Europe must also attack the ecosystem that allows organised crime to survive.

His message is clear: law enforcement must follow the money, disrupt criminal digital infrastructure, protect Europe’s logistical hubs and strengthen cooperation across borders to make Europe safer.

#Europol #JürgenEbner #eudebates #OrganisedCrime #CriminalNetworks

European Commissioner Jessika Roswall explains the EU’s approach to new circular economy and packaging rules.

Speaking ahead of the Environment Council, Roswall says Europe must transform its economy by reducing waste, especially when it comes to packaging.

She notes that parts of the regulation will begin applying in August, while other measures will be phased in gradually up to 2030.

Roswall stresses that harmonised rules across the Single Market are important for businesses, consumers and Member States. She also says the Commission will continue providing clarity through guidance, FAQs and implementing acts as the new rules enter into force.
#eudebates #JessikaRoswall #CircularEconomy #Packaging #EU #Environment

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Apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage promise nobody can read your messages. Mostly true - but in 2026, encrypted chat has three gaps you can't ignore, and the biggest one might already be sitting on your own computer. We sat down with David Wiseman, BlackBerry's VP of Secure Communications, to find out what end-to-end encryption actually protects, what it doesn't, and how attackers are walking around it without breaking a single line of code.

Leave a reply with your requests for future episodes.

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Timestamps:
0:00 How Encrypted Chats Work
1:45 Signal, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Telegram
2:19 Sponsor
2:57 Metadata Still Leaks
4:02 Phishing, Linked Devices, and Recall
5:17 How to Protect Yourself
5:38 Credits

European Commissioner Magnus Brunner responds to questions on the EU proposal to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine until 20 March 2028.

Brunner stresses that nothing changes for Ukrainians who are already in the European Union and already receiving temporary protection. He also makes clear that the right to apply for asylum remains unchanged.

Responding to concerns about discrimination, Brunner rejects the claim and says the measure was requested by Ukraine itself. He warns against falling into what he calls a Russian propaganda trap, insisting that the EU proposal is designed to support Ukraine and its people.

His message is clear: Europe will prolong protection for Ukrainians fleeing war, but it will also coordinate with Ukraine and Member States on the scope of that protection as the war continues.

European Commissioner Magnus Brunner presents the European Commission’s proposal to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Commission proposes to prolong protection for Ukrainians in the EU until March 2028, giving millions of displaced people legal certainty, access to residence, work, education, healthcare and social support while the war continues. More than 4.3 million Ukrainians currently benefit from the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
This is a crucial decision for Europe: protect those fleeing war, support Ukraine’s resistance and prepare for the day when Ukrainians can rebuild their country in safety and dignity.

#EUdebates #Ukraine #TemporaryProtection #UkrainianRefugees

European Commissioner Magnus Brunner presents the European Commission’s proposal to extend temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine until 20 March 2028.

Brunner says the Commission is acting early — not waiting until 2027 — because Ukrainians living in the EU need clarity, stability and legal certainty now.

The message is also directed at Member States: Europe must prepare for what comes after temporary protection. Governments are being asked to look seriously at future pathways for people under protection, because “there will be a time after March 2028.”

This press point highlights one of Europe’s most sensitive challenges: continuing solidarity with Ukrainians fleeing war while preparing long-term solutions for residence, integration, return and the future of millions of displaced people.

Europe’s promise remains clear: protect people fleeing war, support Ukraine and plan responsibly for the years ahead.

#eudebates #Ukraine #TemporaryProtection #UkrainianRefugees

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson speaks at the Eastern Flank Summit during the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 in Gdańsk, Poland.

Kristersson says Russia is the greatest threat to European peace and security, stressing that supporting Ukraine and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank are essential to safeguarding Europe.

Although Sweden does not share a land border with Russia, he points to the Baltic Sea as a key security area, where Swedish authorities act against the illegal shadow fleet, protect maritime infrastructure and defend NATO airspace from Russian military aircraft.

He also highlights Sweden’s military presence in Latvia, Finland and Poland, and calls for stronger EU support for Europe’s defence industrial base, faster capability development and better financing for the eastern flank.
#eudebates #UlfKristersson #Sweden #Ukraine #NATO #BalticSea

“When States become the main violators of the rights of children, this signals a dramatic disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and an erosion of the principle that States bear the primary responsibility to protect their populations, including children,” a senior UN official said.

Briefing the Security Council, Vanessa Frazier, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, said, “The United Nations Monitoring and Reporting mechanism verified 38,558 grave violations against children, affecting 24,174 children. The process of verification was undertaken in 2025, thus including violations that have taken place in previous years. This is the highest verified number of children affected by violations in any year since the establishment of the children and armed conflict mandate.”

She noted that in 2025 the report showed a concerning shift. “For the first time, Government forces are the main perpetrators of grave violations against children overall, and specifically the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access.”

Frazier said, “That is not a marginal development. That is a profound and deeply troubling shift. When States become the main violators of the rights of children, this signals a dramatic disregard for international humanitarian and human rights law, and an erosion of the principle that States bears the primary responsibility to protect their populations, including children.”

According to the report, “The highest levels of violations in 2025 were verified in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.”

Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
Secretary-General Travel
Security Council
UNIFIL
Lebanon
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Yemen
Sudan
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ethiopia
Costa Rica
Women in Diplomacy
Guest Tomorrow

SECRETARY-GENERAL TRAVEL

The Secretary-General will be back in New York later today following his participation in London Climate Action Week.

This morning, the Secretary-General addressed the Climate and Development Finance Forum 2026. The Secretary-General underscored that climate adaptation is no longer about preparing for a distant future. It’s about managing risks in real time, as the searing heat now gripping London and far beyond makes unmistakably clear.

Also today, the Secretary-General addressed a Super Pollutants Reception. He noted that the climate crisis is accelerating, and we are now on course to overshoot the 1.5-degree limit in the coming years.

Our task, the Secretary-General stressed, is to keep that overshoot as small, short, and safe as possible, and to bring temperatures back down. He said that can’t happen without drastically reducing emissions, starting now, and accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels, starting now.

The Secretary-General stressed that it requires steps to end deforestation and protect nature, and it demands the world to move fast on super pollutants, the potent greenhouse gases that are behind nearly half the warming so far. He noted that methane is the super Super-pollutant, so cutting methane is the single fastest brake we can pull on a warming planet, adding that this is why he launched yesterday a global Call to Action on Methane.

Before leaving London, the Secretary-General met Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of International Maritime Organization. The Secretary-General expressed his full support to IMO’s efforts to release the seafarers stranded in the Gulf.

And last evening, the Secretary-General was awarded the Kew International Medal in recognition of his global leadership on climate change, biodiversity loss and collective action for people and planet. The Secretary-General said that he accepted the medal not for himself, but for the United Nations, and all those who work in the United Nations.

SECURITY COUNCIL

Vanessa Frazier, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, told the Security Council this morning that the United Nations Monitoring and Reporting mechanism verified 38,558 grave violations against children, affecting 24,174 children – which, she said, is the highest verified number of children affected by violations in any year since the establishment of the children and armed conflict mandate.

The Special Representative warned that this year’s report shows that, for the first time, Government forces are the main perpetrators of grave violations against children overall, and specifically the killing and maiming of children, attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access. That is a profound and deeply troubling shift, she said.

Ms. Frazier told the Council that the highest levels of violations in 2025 were verified in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Somalia.

She added that the growing integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into warfare is transforming the conduct of hostilities. Unless accompanied by meaningful human oversight, she said, these technologies risk increasing harm to children and distancing decision-makers from the human consequences of war.

Catherine Russell, the UNICEF Executive Director, told the Council about efforts taken by different governments – including in Colombia, Haiti and Syria – to improve the protection of children and end their recruitment for armed conflict. The Children and Armed Conflict framework works when there is political will, she said.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-24

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As a heatwave pushes temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit across Europe, companies are trying to protect workers, to keep operations running and to capitalize on soaring demand for anything that might offer relief.

#europe #heatwave #workers #workforce #economy

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Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin says momentum is building across Europe for stronger action to protect children online.

Speaking in Dublin, Martin says the European Commission is expected to bring forward concrete proposals on online safety for children, following growing debate among EU leaders and work launched by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Martin says Ireland already has domestic laws in place, but stresses that the most powerful solution would be a common European approach across all 27 Member States.

His message is clear: protecting children online must become a major European priority — and a united EU position could be powerful, tangible and impactful for families across Europe.
#Ireland #IrishPresidency #OnlineSafety #ChildSafety #SocialMedia

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola says Europe must protect children online with the same urgency as it protects them offline.

Speaking in Dublin alongside Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Metsola calls for a coherent European approach to online child safety, including action against manipulative game design and harmful digital practices that keep children trapped on screens.

“As a mother, the things our kids are seeing on their devices keep me up at night,” Metsola says.

She praises Ireland’s leadership in this area, recalling Jackie Fox’s campaign and Coco’s Law against cyberbullying, which helped inspire a united European Parliament position for stronger action at EU level.

Her message is clear: Europe cannot wait. Children need protection online — and Ireland has already shown the way.
#ProtectChildrenOnline #OnlineSafety #ChildSafety #Cyberbullying

From energy shocks to the impact of tariffs, prices are facing pressure from multiple sides and risk remaining a top economic issue. Price increases run the risk of eroding trust in institutions and triggering political blowback.

What response can effectively protect economic stability and social cohesion when cost of living becomes less certain?

Residents and farmers in Syria’s northeastern countryside scrambled to extinguish raging wildfires, desperately using water hoses and pieces of clothing to protect their wheat fields from being entirely consumed by flames.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #world #MiddleEast #Syria #wildfires

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This animal rescue organization in Germany is using drones to find and catch fawns to save them from being killed when farmers mow their fields.

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Shelters for wildlife are struggling with an influx of heat-stressed animals, a center near the Belgian city of Namur said, with birds nesting under roofs such as swifts, swallows and starlings at particular risk as temperatures soared.

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Refuges for wildlife are struggling with an influx of heat-stressed animals, a center near the Belgian city of Namur said, with birds nesting under roofs such as swifts, swallows and starlings at particular risk as temperatures on June 21 reached 93 Fahrenheit.

#belgium #wildlife #heatwave #climatechange #birds

Temperatures are set to climb across Europe, with a projected 104 degrees Fahrenheit across parts of France, while Northern Europe including Belgium and the UK are expecting temperatures over 86 Fahrenheit and even hotter in the coming days, as seen in a graphic.

The heat surge ‌on June 21, the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere and typically the start of the three hottest months of the year, raised concerns of an early and persistent onset of extreme conditions, prompting nationwide warnings, transport disruption and signs of strain on wildlife and at tourist hotspots.

#europe #heatwave #france #italy #belgium #climatechange

A severe heatwave gripped much of Europe, with temperatures nearing 104 degrees Fahrenheit, prompting nationwide warnings, transport disruption and signs of strain on wildlife.

#News #Reuters #Newsfeed #heatwave #europe

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Brussels' iconic Atomium landmark will close several sections to visitors as high temperatures cause its metal spheres to heat up, creating safety concerns for guests and staff. A severe heatwave gripped much of Europe, with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), prompting nationwide warnings, transport disruption and signs of strain on wildlife and at tourist hotspots.

#belgium #brussels #atomium #weather #heat #climate #europe #summer #climatechange #risingtemperature #live #Reuters #News

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• 
  1826 – Der Geophysiker und Polar­forscher Georg von Neu­mayer, Gründungs­direktor der Deutschen See­warte, wird geboren.
• 1851 – Die anläss­lich des ersten inter­nationalen Schach­turniers in London weilenden Adolf Anderssen und Lionel Kieseritzky spielen außer­halb des Turniers eine Partie, die als „Unsterbliche Partie“ bekannt wird.
• 1926 – Als Johanna Bruhn kommt in Berlin die Groß­aktionärin und Stifterin Johanna Quandt zur Welt.
• 1946 – Der Wirtschafts- und Sozial­rat der Vereinten Nationen gründet die Kommission zur Rechts­stellung der Frau.
• 2001 – Unter ungeklärten Umständen kommt in London Soad Hosni, eine der einfluss­reichsten Schau­spielerinnen im Nahen Osten und der arabischen Welt, durch einen Balkon­sturz ums Leben.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder in Munich with a clear message: Europe must deliver for its businesses, manage migration and protect citizens’ security and prosperity.

Metsola pledges Parliament’s support for dismantling Single Market barriers and cutting bureaucracy. She also highlights the EU Migration Pact now in application and the new return rules — arguing that Europe must ensure those without a right to stay are effectively returned.

#RobertaMetsola #MarkusSöder #Europe #EUCompetitiveness #Migration #Bavaria #Munich #EuropeanParliament #EUdebates

European Council President Antonio Costa says the EU will continue dialogue with China — but Europe cannot ignore the growing imbalance in its economic relationship with Beijing.

Costa repeats the EU strategy: de-risking, not decoupling. But with a trade deficit of around €1 billion per day, he says the current situation is not sustainable. EU leaders have asked the European Commission to urgently assess the available trade-defence toolbox and develop new instruments to protect Europe’s economic interests.

#AntonioCosta #EUCO #China #EUChina #TradeDefence #EuropeanUnion #Derisking #EuropeanEconomy #Competitiveness #Brussels #EUdebates

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
- Secretary-General/Trip Announcement
- Haavisto
- Sudan
- Lebanon/Israel
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kosovo
- Peacebuilding Week
- World Refugee Day
- International Day of Yoga
- International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice

SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT

The Secretary-General will arrive in London on Monday, where he will attend a series of events taking place during the London Climate Action Week. He will deliver a special address on climate and energy on Tuesday morning, outlining how renewable energy offers the clearest route to energy security, affordability and resilience.

The Secretary-General is expected to underscore that it is clear that our world is facing a climate crisis and an energy crisis, which, on the surface, may seem separate, but share the same destructive force: fossil fuels.

During his visit to London, the Secretary-General will participate in other events, including the Global Energy and Electrification Summit and the Local Leaders Summit, as well as the Climate and Development Finance Forum 2026.

The Secretary-General will also attend a Super Pollutants reception, in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III.

While in London, the Secretary-General will hold a bilateral meeting with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yvette Cooper. He will also meet with leaders attending the London Climate Action Week.

The Secretary-General is expected back in New York on 24 June.

HAAVISTO

The Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, spoke with the Commander-in-Chief of the Rapid Support Forces, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, earlier today.

The Personal Envoy underscored the need to urgently de-escalate the situation in the El Obeid area and avoid any actions that may further worsen the already-dire humanitarian situation and put civilian lives at risk. He emphasized that the focus of the parties to the conflict should turn towards advancing dialogue to end the war.   

They also discussed the latest political developments, including the recent Quintet-facilitated engagements with Sudanese civilian stakeholders in Addis Ababa.

The Personal Envoy is also engaging Member State partners with influence over the conflict parties to encourage their commitment to genuine dialogue and convey as a matter of urgency that an attack on El Obeid must be avoided.

We reiterate the call made by the Secretary-General in his statement yesterday for restraint from all parties in the El Obeid area and to take all necessary measures to respect and protect civilians. We must not allow the horrors of El Fasher to be repeated in El Obeid.

SUDAN

We have seen further reports of drone attacks overnight. For now, the area remains accessible.

OCHA says it and its humanitarian partners are focusing on moving food and other supplies into the city, while preparing for the potential movement of large numbers of people of the immediate area.

And for those who have been asking about our presence in El Obeid, I can tell you that we do not have a permanent presence in the city. However, despite access constraints, our humanitarian partners are still working on the ground, staying and delivering with WFP and others, to move more assistance there to help residents is an area that hosts more than 100,000 displaced people.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-19

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks after the European Council summit in Brussels, warning that Europe’s economic relationship with China has reached an unsustainable point.

She says EU imports from China have risen 45% in five years, while the EU’s trade deficit reached a record €360 billion last year — around €1 billion every day. Von der Leyen calls for European unity, diversification and “de-risking, not decoupling” to protect industry, jobs and Europe’s economic security.

She also announces progress on Ukraine’s EU accession, a 12-month rollover of Russian sanctions, continued work on a new sanctions package, an EU response to the Middle East crisis, and a new long-term EU budget from 2028.

#VonDerLeyen #EUCO #China #EuropeanUnion #Ukraine #RussiaSanctions #EUbudget #Trade #EuropeanEconomy #MiddleEast #Brussels #EUdebates

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten speaks on Day 2 of the European Council in Brussels, where EU leaders are discussing the next long-term EU budget.

Jetten says Europe cannot build an economy for the next decades with a budget designed for the 1990s.

He argues that the EU budget must reflect today’s priorities: security, stronger competitiveness and the modernisation Europe needs to face a more difficult world.

His message is clear: if Europe wants to compete, protect itself and grow, its financial framework must match the challenges of the future.

#RobJetten #Netherlands #EUCO #EuropeanCouncil #EUBudget #MFF #Competitiveness #Security #ModernEurope #EuropeanEconomy #EUFinance #Brussels #EuropeanUnion #EU #eudebates

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez speaks at the European Council summit in Brussels on Ukraine, the Middle East, the EU budget, migration and China.

Sánchez says Spain remains open to any diplomatic effort that can help achieve peace in Ukraine and end Russia’s war, while continuing military, humanitarian and public support for Kyiv.

On the Middle East, he welcomes the US-Iran peace agreement and says Spain will work to help stabilise the situation, especially around the Strait of Hormuz. He also says Spain will extend its social shield for three more months to protect households and businesses from volatile energy prices.

On the next EU budget, Sánchez says Spain is still far from agreement. He criticises the proposal as lacking ambition on cohesion, agriculture, competitiveness, education, training, science, innovation, digital transition and climate policy.

He also rejects return hubs and the externalisation of migration policy, calling them ineffective, costly and damaging to Europe’s values.

#PedroSanchez #Spain #EuropeanCouncil #EUCO #Ukraine #Russia #IranDeal #StraitOfHormuz #MiddleEast #Gaza #WestBank #Lebanon #EUBudget #MFF #CohesionPolicy #CAP #Migration #ReturnHubs #China #EuropeanUnion #EU #eudebates

Hassan Fadlallah, a member of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc says a proposed U.S.-Iran memorandum reflects a “real victory” for Tehran and includes commitments that protect Lebanon’s sovereignty.

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Rob Jetten, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, speaks at the European Council summit in Brussels about China, competitiveness and EU financing.

Jetten says Europe needs more coordination in its engagement with China in order to protect the European economy and boost competitiveness.

Asked whether Spain and Germany accept that reality, he says that is a question for their leaders. Asked about delaying RRF repayments and possible new Eurobonds for defence, Jetten gives a clear answer: no.

His message is short but firm: Europe must coordinate on China, but not solve every challenge with more common debt.

#RobJetten #Netherlands #China #EuropeanCouncil #EUCO #EuropeanUnion #EU #Competitiveness #EuropeanEconomy #TradePolicy #RRF #Eurobonds #Defence #CommonDebt #Brussels #Europe #eudebates

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, speaks about Syria and the need to protect all communities in the country.

Kallas says the EU is in constant contact with Syrian authorities and is stressing that the rights of all groups represented in Syria must be respected.

She highlights Syria’s diversity and says the EU has raised these issues in high-level political dialogue, including how a future constitution can reflect the rights of minorities and communities.

Kallas also stresses that real protection requires functioning institutions: a working judicial system, effective policing and accountability. She says the EU is also working with regional actors to help support Syria’s stability.

#KajaKallas #Syria #SyrianCommunities #MinorityRights #HumanRights #Accountability #RuleOfLaw #Justice #EuropeanUnion #EU #ForeignPolicy #MiddleEast #Stability #RegionalActors #eudebates

Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, speaks at the European Council in Brussels about maritime security and freedom of navigation.

Kallas says EU defence and foreign ministers have discussed how to protect vital sea routes, with Operation ASPIDES already active in the Red Sea and now operating with a record number of ships.

She also points to a France-UK-led coalition of the willing ready to help in the Strait of Hormuz. Kallas says these efforts can work hand in hand to protect shipping, support stability and defend Europe’s economic security.

#KajaKallas #ASPIDES #RedSea #StraitOfHormuz #MaritimeSecurity #FreedomOfNavigation #EuropeanCouncil #EUCO #EuropeanUnion #EU #France #UK #CoalitionOfTheWilling #Shipping #MiddleEast #Security #Brussels #eudebates

Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:
- Sudan
- Lebanon
- Occupied Palestinian Territory
- Ebola
- Deputy Secretary-General/Travel
- Libya
- Kosovo UN Youth Assembly
- Climate/Africa
- Joint FAO-WFP Anticipatory Action Appeal
- UN Open Source Week 2026
- International Day for Countering Hate Speech
- Sustainable Gastronomy Day

SUDAN

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the escalation of fighting in and around El Obeid, North Kordofan state, including drone attacks impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The Secretary-General is particularly alarmed by reports of the deployment, by the Rapid Support Forces, of substantial military reinforcements around El Obeid which may indicate an imminent ground offensive into the city. Such an offensive would potentially be placing yet another major population centre in Sudan at grave risk of large-scale violence.

The Secretary-General calls for restraint from all parties and urges them to take all necessary measures to respect and protect civilians.  

Far too many times in this conflict, clear warnings have failed to trigger concerted action by the international community. The Secretary-General urges all those with influence over the parties to exert it to prevent further bloodshed. We must not allow the horrors of El Fasher to be repeated in El Obeid.

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. He urges the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces to engage with international efforts, including those of his Personal Envoy for Sudan, Pekka Haavisto, to facilitate de-escalation and to reach a negotiated settlement to end this devastating conflict.

Humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance in El Obeid and across the Kordofan region, despite the deteriorating security situation. A humanitarian worker was among the civilians killed by drone strikes in residential neighbourhoods in El Obeid in the last week.

The Secretary-General stresses that humanitarian workers and supplies must be able to move safely wherever they need to go. Humanitarian operations must be protected and they must be facilitated. El Obeid is a crucial hub for humanitarian response efforts across the broader Kordofan state.

Civilians who wish to leave must be allowed to leave safely. Those choosing to remain must be respected, they must be protected and they must have access to the humanitarian relief that they need.

The Secretary-General reminds all parties of their clear obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including the respect and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access.

As I mentioned, despite the volatile situation, our humanitarian partners, including NGOs and local responders, remain on the ground to provide rapid, essential assistance.

And also, we have a statement on the worrying situation in and around El Obeid from the High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and that is being shared with you.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-18

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said European Allies must be ready to help protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at NATO HQ in Brussels on 18 June 2026, Pevkur said the issue must first be discussed with the United States, and that Allies need clarity on what exactly is required before deciding which assets could be sent.

He said the US-Iran agreement may help clear the situation and could make additional action unnecessary. But if international support is needed, Europe should take part.

Pevkur’s message was cautious but clear: the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for navigation, and European partners may have a role in keeping it free.

#HannoPevkur #Estonia #NATO #StraitOfHormuz #Hormuz #Brussels #FreedomOfNavigation #EuropeanSecurity #US #Iran #NATOMinisters #MaritimeSecurity #Europe #Defence #MiddleEast

Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty delivered a doorstep statement at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 18 June 2026, ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence.

McGuinty said Canada was proud to attend the ministerial for the first time after meeting — and going above — NATO’s 2% of GDP defence spending target. He said Canada is now working toward the 3.5% core defence target and the wider 5% defence investment goal by 2035.

Canada confirmed in March that it had achieved NATO’s 2% defence spending benchmark, while the 5% pledge includes 3.5% for core defence and 1.5% for broader security-related investments.

McGuinty also stressed that Canada remains fully committed to NATO and unwavering in its support for Ukraine at a critical moment in Russia’s war. His Brussels visit included participation in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, hosted by Germany and the United Kingdom.

On the Middle East, McGuinty said Canada remains available to assist the multinational maritime mission led by the United Kingdom and France, aimed at preparing a proper response and protecting maritime security.

His message from Brussels was clear: Canada is back above 2%, NATO is strong, Ukraine support continues, and Ottawa is ready to help protect global security.

#DavidMcGuinty #Canada #NATO #Brussels #Ukraine #DefenceSpending #NATOAlliance #UkraineSupport #Russia #MiddleEast #MaritimeSecurity #EuropeanSecurity #DefenceMinisters #CanadaNATO #StandWithUkraine

Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson said Sweden does not exclude contributing to a possible multinational mission linked to security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking at NATO HQ in Brussels on 18 June 2026, Jonson said Sweden is part of a wider coalition of around 40 states, led by France and the United Kingdom, and is reviewing whether it could contribute to such a mission.

His comments came as NATO Defence Ministers gathered ahead of the Ankara Summit, with Allies discussing Ukraine, defence spending, industrial production and wider security threats. The Hormuz issue has become a major concern for global trade and energy security, with several Allies looking at how to protect maritime routes and keep navigation open.

Sweden’s message was cautious but clear: Stockholm is studying its options, and may join a broader Allied effort if the mission moves forward.

#Sweden #PalJonson #NATO #StraitOfHormuz #Hormuz #UK #France #Brussels #NATOMinisters #MaritimeSecurity #FreedomOfNavigation #EuropeanSecurity #AnkaraSummit #Defence #MiddleEast

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke in Brussels about his discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence.

Rutte said they discussed the state of the war, Ukraine’s military needs and how Allies can provide the weapons and air defence systems Kyiv needs to keep fighting and protect its cities and critical infrastructure.

He said Ukraine is “really doing well”, pointing to reports of heavy Russian losses — around 30,000 to 35,000 Russian losses per month — calling the figures “really incredible.”

Rutte also said Zelenskyy was in a good place after returning from the G7 Summit, where Ukraine received strong backing in the final declaration.

The message from Brussels was clear: Ukraine is still fighting hard, Russia is paying a heavy price, and NATO Allies are focused on keeping Kyiv supplied with weapons and air defence.

#MarkRutte #Ukraine #Zelenskyy #NATO #Russia #Brussels #G7 #UkraineWar #AirDefence #MilitaryAid #EuropeanSecurity #NATOAlliance #RussianLosses #DefenceMinisters #StandWithUkraine

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said discussions are constantly ongoing with all Allies to ensure Ukraine receives what it needs to keep defending itself against Russia.

Speaking in Brussels, Rutte highlighted the continued flow of crucial equipment from the United States into Ukraine, especially interceptors for Patriot air defence systems. He called this support essential for Ukraine’s ability to protect its people, cities and critical infrastructure.

Rutte thanked the United States for continuing to supply this vital equipment, while also saying he is working with all 32 NATO Allies and relevant partners to secure the necessary funding.

His message was clear: Ukraine still needs weapons, Patriot interceptors remain crucial, and NATO is pushing Allies to keep the support flowing.

#MarkRutte #Ukraine #NATO #UnitedStates #Patriot #AirDefence #Russia #Brussels #Zelenskyy #MilitaryAid #StandWithUkraine #NATOAlliance #DefenceMinisters #EuropeanSecurity #UkraineWar

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte defended NATO’s readiness in Brussels, explaining again that the NATO Force Model is a planning tool — but confirming that the United States has lowered part of its planned contribution because it must prepare for possible multiple-theatre conflicts.

Rutte said Europe and Canada now need to backfill those gaps. He stressed that, if war broke out, all Allies — including the United States — would “max out” what they can do to defend the Alliance.

His message was firm: NATO would fight that war and win it.

Rutte also praised the G7 conclusions on Ukraine and underlined the importance of continued US support, especially air defence and Patriot interceptors needed to protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

Asked about US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Rutte called him a great friend of the Alliance, saying Hegseth’s pressure on Europe and Canada to match US defence spending is now producing results. He pointed to more than $90 billion in extra defence spending by European Allies and Canada, nearly a 20% increase, and Germany’s plan to double defence spending by 2029 compared to 2021.

The message from Brussels was clear: Europe is spending more, the US is demanding more, Ukraine still needs support, and NATO 3.0 is taking shape.

#MarkRutte #NATO #UnitedStates #Europe #NATO3 #PeteHegseth #Ukraine #Russia #Brussels #Article5 #DefenceSpending #Patriot #G7 #EuropeanSecurity #NATOAlliance

MEP Manfred Weber, President of the EPP Group, calls on EU leaders not to forget future-oriented priorities in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

Weber says the next stage of MFF negotiations will be led by the Irish Presidency, but warns that it may be easier for Member States to cut areas like the competitiveness fund, HORIZON and defence. He says these are exactly the innovative parts of the EU budget that Europe must protect.

Weber stresses that the European Parliament has already finalised its position and now asks the Council to speed up, clarify its vision for future financing and avoid weakening the tools Europe needs to compete, innovate and defend itself.

#ManfredWeber #EPP #MFF #EUBudget #EuropeanParliament #EuropeanCouncil #IrishPresidency #HorizonEurope #Competitiveness #Defence #Innovation #EUFunds #EuropeanUnion #EU #FutureOfEurope #Europe #eudebates

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on 17 June 2026, ahead of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting.

The visit came at a critical moment for Latvia and NATO’s eastern flank. Kulbergs, who became Latvia’s Prime Minister after the collapse of the previous government, has put defence, drones and Allied presence at the centre of his agenda. NATO confirmed that Rutte received Kulbergs in Brussels for a joint press point.

According to Reuters reporting carried by live coverage, Kulbergs warned that Latvia and the eastern flank needed more boots on the ground and stronger Allied presence, saying the best way to protect the country is to prepare for the worst. He also stressed that “drones do not have borders”, calling for closer cooperation on anti-drone defence.

The meeting followed Latvia’s recent drone cooperation deal with Ukraine, as Riga seeks to strengthen air defence, surveillance and joint production by learning from Ukraine’s battlefield experience.

As NATO prepares for its Ankara Summit, the message from Brussels was clear: Latvia is on the frontline, Europe must strengthen its defences, and NATO must be ready before the next crisis arrives.

#MarkRutte #AndrisKulbergs #Latvia #NATO #Brussels #EasternFlank #Drones #AirDefence #Ukraine #Russia #Baltics #EuropeanSecurity #NATOAlliance #Defence #Security

Tick bites typically spike in May. Here's how to dress and protect yourself during tick season. (AP video: Mary Conlon and Shelby Lum).

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Rescued grizzly bear brothers Scout and Montana spent the day exploring, wrestling and playing in man-made snow added to their habitat to recreate conditions they might experience in the wild, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

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Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, responds to criticism that the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum undermines fundamental rights.

Brunner argues the opposite: clearer and more effective rules can better protect people, reduce dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes, and ensure protection reaches those genuinely in need.

He says Europe must fight illegal migration routes, smugglers and human traffickers in order to create space for legal migration and real protection, while UNHCR, IOM and international organisations continue to monitor the implementation of the Pact.

#MagnusBrunner #MigrationPact #AsylumPact #EUMigration #HumanRights #FundamentalRights #EuropeanUnion #EU #Migration #Asylum #Smugglers #HumanTrafficking #Mediterranean #AtlanticRoute #LegalMigration #UNHCR #IOM #Cyprus #Europe #eudebates

Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, speaks in Lefkosia, Cyprus, after the Informal Ministerial Conference on the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Brunner calls the Pact a milestone for European migration policy, saying the EU now has a comprehensive system with clearer rules, stronger border procedures, faster returns and a new balance between responsibility and solidarity.

He points to falling irregular arrivals, stronger cooperation with EU agencies, and deeper migration partnerships with countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and India. Brunner says Europe must reduce illegal arrivals, fight smugglers, protect people in need and build a stronger external migration policy.

Context checked: the Pact entered into force on 12 June 2026, with EU leaders presenting it as a new phase for migration management while rights groups continue to raise concerns over return hubs and fast-track procedures. (apnews.com) (eunews.it)

#MagnusBrunner #MigrationPact #AsylumPact #EUMigration #EuropeanUnion #EU #Cyprus #Lefkosia #Nicosia #ECOFIN #Borders #Asylum #Migration #Returns #Frontex #Eurodac #EULISA #EUAA #MigrationPolicy #Europe #eudebates

ECR MEP Rihards Kols speaks in the European Parliament debate on the EU’s role in peace and stability in the Middle East after the announced deal between the United States and Iran.

Kols welcomes reports of a US-Iran memorandum of understanding as an encouraging sign, saying even a rough framework is better than nothing if it reduces the risk of a wider war.

But he warns that the details matter. An arrangement with Iran alone will not automatically deliver regional stability, and Israel’s security cannot be treated as an afterthought in any final deal.

Kols also stresses the importance of Gulf states, arguing that they are not bystanders and that their cooperation will be essential for any durable regional order.

His message is clear: the EU must invest more seriously in partnerships that protect open sea lanes, regional stability and shared security interests.

#RihardsKols #ECR #EuropeanParliament #Iran #USIranDeal #MiddleEast #Israel #GulfStates #Security #RegionalStability #EuropeanUnion #EU #StraitOfHormuz #SeaLanes #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #eudebates

The post The No-Benefit-Rule’s Struggle for Survival appeared first on Verfassungsblog.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivers opening remarks ahead of the G7 Summit in Évian, France, under the French Presidency.

Her message is direct: the world is facing geopolitical fragmentation, economic reconfiguration and rapid technological change. She warns that global imbalances and overcapacity are becoming dangerous for the global economy, pointing to the EU’s record trade deficit with China and insisting that Europe’s strategy is “de-risk, not decouple.”

Von der Leyen also focuses on Ukraine, saying Europe will keep its unwavering support as Russia’s war continues. She highlights the EU’s €90 billion loan package for Ukraine, new support for winter preparedness and the importance of anchoring Ukraine in Europe.

The speech also turns to the Middle East, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, energy security, AI safety and the protection of children online. At G7 Évian, Europe’s message is clear: unity, resilience and democratic coordination are now essential.

#VonDerLeyen #G7 #G7Summit #G7Evian #EuropeanUnion #EuropeanCommission #EU #Europe #Ukraine #China #AI #MiddleEast #Iran #StraitOfHormuz #Trade #Security #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #ChildrenOnline #eudebates

Britain will ban children aged under 16 from using a range of social media apps, including Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube, to protect them from harmful content and excessive screen time, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday.

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Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, comments on maritime security after discussions with EU foreign and defence ministers.

Kallas says the EU has held intensive talks on the operation and confirms that more ships are now joining Operation Aspides, the EU mission focused on protecting maritime security in the Red Sea.

She also points to the Strait of Hormuz, where a Franco-German coalition is expected to operate, as tensions remain high and Houthi threats continue to raise concerns over global shipping routes.

Her message is clear: Europe must act with partners to protect freedom of navigation, secure trade routes and respond to growing instability in the Middle East.

#KajaKallas #OperationAspides #RedSea #StraitOfHormuz #Houthis #EuropeanUnion #EU #MaritimeSecurity #MiddleEast #FreedomOfNavigation #Security #Diplomacy #EUForeignPolicy #Shipping #GlobalTrade #Geopolitics #Europe #eudebates

Britain will ban under-16s from using a range of social media apps, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday, calling it “a big moment for our country.”

Starmer told a news conference that he will fight back if technology companies resist the move, intended to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

#shorts #britain #keirstarmer #socialmedia #ban

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces government action to protect children online.

#uk #starmer #internet #children #britain #onlinesafetyact #live #Reuters #News

Keep up with the latest news from around the world: https://www.reuters.com/

Watch live as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a social media ban for young teenagers, designed to protect children from harmful content and excessive screen time.

#live #uk

At the Festival of the New European Bauhaus 2026, Helle Søholt, CEO and Co-Founder of Gehl, and Hanna Bondar, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament and architect, discussed how Europe can design cities that put people first.

Søholt explained the principle of “life, spaces, buildings”: planning must begin with people, their needs, their daily lives and their access to opportunity.

She said beauty in Europe’s cities cannot exist without sustainability and inclusion, warning that public spaces are also a human right.

Bondar brought the discussion into the urgent context of Ukraine’s recovery.

She said Ukraine cannot wait until the end of the war to rebuild. Recovery must begin now — but it must be transparent, accountable, inclusive and shaped with public participation.

Bondar stressed the need for inclusive construction, especially for people with limited mobility and those injured during the war.

She also spoke about Ukraine’s work on a new urban planning and construction code, built through a bottom-up process involving experts, MPs, ministries, NGOs, local authorities and professional associations.

Her message was powerful: Ukraine’s recovery must protect citizens, restore communities and create a more human future.

The dialogue showed what the New European Bauhaus means in practice: not just better buildings, but better lives, stronger public spaces and cities designed with people at the centre.

#NewEuropeanBauhaus #NEB2026 #HelleSoholt #HannaBondar #Ukraine #Reconstruction #UrbanPlanning #PublicSpaces #Architecture #Inclusion #Sustainability #EUdebates

This week's top stories of the week include:

00:16 - Ghana's first marine sanctuary: Almost 200 countries across the world have pledged to protect 30% of their ocean by 2030. But right now, there’s a lot of work to do, with just 10% of the global ocean protected. #Ghana just took a big step forward with the establishment of the Greater Cape Three Points marine protected area.

01.56 - AI satellites re-shaping Earth observation: Orbitworks plans to launch a 10-satellite constellation later this year. Rather than capturing images in orbit and transmitting them back to Earth for analysis, which creates a time lag, the satellites will use #AI to process data directly in space. CEO Hamdullah Mohib is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Here, he explains how the technology works.

04.24 - Japan's new word for extreme heat: In 2007, Japanese weather forecasters began to use a new word - ‘moshobi’, meaning extremely hot day - to describe when the mercury climbed past 35˚C. 

05.53 - Empowering indigenous forest protection: Indigenous cultures have a lot to teach the world, says Indonesian rainforest activist Bustar Maitar. And the first thing is to respect nature by taking from it only what you need. Maitar enjoyed a successful career with Greenpeace, winning ‘zero deforestation’ pledges from major multinationals. But he was drawn back to Papua to fight for forests there - and also, through his EcoNusa Foundation, to defend the rights, culture and livelihoods of #Indigenous communities, from which will emerge the next generation of #forest stewards.

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Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said NATO’s strength lies in the fact that it brings together 32 democracies that continue to respect their commitments, even when governments change.

Speaking at the joint press point with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Støre said the Alliance has endured since 1949 through many political changes, elections and new administrations.

He stressed that what remains constant is the respect for NATO obligations and the shared commitment to collective defence.

Støre also highlighted the situation in the High North, saying Norway is working even more closely with the United States than before.

He said this cooperation is focused on maintaining low tension in the region while strengthening the ability to observe, follow and track developments.

His message was clear: political change does not weaken NATO when Allies keep their commitments. In the High North, Norway and the United States are deepening cooperation to protect security and stability.

#JonasGahrStore #MarkRutte #NATO #Norway #UnitedStates #HighNorth #Arctic #CollectiveDefence #Democracy #Security #TransatlanticAlliance #EUdebates

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said countries across the Alliance are increasing their defence investments as security threats grow.

Speaking at a joint press point with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Rutte said Allies are stepping up, including the United Kingdom, which increased its defence spending last year.

He acknowledged that higher defence investment is not easy, because governments always face trade-offs with other important public spending.

But Rutte stressed that the core task of every government is to keep its country safe while also maintaining a strong economy.

He said these are the two pillars of NATO’s deterrence and defence: a strong economy that sustains jobs and prosperity, and the security needed to protect people and territory.

His message was clear: NATO Allies must invest more in defence, but security cannot be separated from economic strength.

#MarkRutte #NATO #DefenceSpending #Security #Economy #UnitedKingdom #CollectiveDefence #Deterrence #TransatlanticAlliance #Norway #EUdebates

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva urged euro area governments to be very careful with fiscal flexibility during the current energy shock.

Speaking at the IMF press briefing on the 2026 Euro Area Article IV Consultation, Georgieva said the European Commission had tried to design a tight escape clause, allowing countries to use existing flexibility first and only rely on additional flexibility in exceptional circumstances.

She stressed that governments should not make decisions based on the hope that the supply disruption will end soon.

According to Georgieva, the duration and economic impact of the disruption remain highly uncertain.

She warned that countries must preserve fiscal space, especially because they also face other major priorities.

Her message was particularly strong for countries with high deficits and high debt: be cautious, protect fiscal credibility and do not spend money that is not available.

The IMF’s message was clear: support may be needed, but it must be cautious, targeted and fiscally responsible in a time of deep uncertainty.

#KristalinaGeorgieva #IMF #EuroArea #Eurogroup #FiscalPolicy #EnergyShock #PublicFinances #Debt #Deficit #EuropeanEconomy #EUdebates

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at NATO Headquarters, praising Norway’s leadership and its growing role in Allied security.

Rutte highlighted Norway’s contribution to NATO’s collective defence, including its highly capable armed forces, participation in NATO activities across all domains, and support for forward land forces in Lithuania and Finland.

He also pointed to Norway’s role in NATO air policing missions and its efforts to protect key supply lines to Ukraine.

Rutte stressed that the Arctic and the High North are of growing strategic importance for NATO, saying Norway’s expertise and leadership are essential to the Alliance’s posture in the region.

He welcomed Norway’s rise in core defence spending to over 3% of GDP in 2025, calling it exactly the kind of increase NATO needs across the Alliance.

Ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara, Rutte said Allies will focus on defence investment, capability targets, industrial production and building a stronger, fairer and more capable NATO.

Ukraine was also central to the message. Rutte praised Norway as a leading contributor to NATO’s support efforts, including a recent contribution of over 300 million US dollars, and welcomed deeper Norway–Ukraine defence cooperation, including support for drone production.

His message was clear: from the High North to NATO’s eastern flank, Norway is strengthening the Alliance — and helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

#MarkRutte #JonasGahrStore #NATO #Norway #HighNorth #Arctic #Ukraine #Defence #Security #AnkaraSummit #Russia #TransatlanticAlliance #EUdebates

Wearing earplugs at concerts can help prevent hearing damage and more young people are embracing them. Starting at around 85 decibels, your hearing can be impacted with prolonged listening. Experts say earplugs turn the volume down, not off, and will protect ears for many more concerts to come.

Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis said finance ministers broadly agree on the need to protect vulnerable households and businesses while remaining fiscally prudent.

Speaking after the Eurogroup meeting, Pierrakakis stressed that fiscal policy must not contradict monetary policy and that short-term crisis responses must be consistent with Europe’s long-term goals.

He said the way Europe reacts to today’s energy crisis will have consequences for decades, just as the energy shocks of the 1970s shaped major policy choices on oil, nuclear power and energy security.

Pierrakakis said Europe’s energy strategy is clear: more interconnectors, more storage, more investment in electricity grids and stronger energy infrastructure.

He acknowledged that Member States have different views on flexibility under the escape clause, with some preferring no flexibility and others asking for more.

But he said the European Commission has found the right balance by targeting flexibility toward energy investments that reduce vulnerability.

Pierrakakis pointed to IMF analysis showing that energy investments made since 2022 have helped reduce the current impact of the Middle East crisis.

His message was clear: investing in energy infrastructure is not only climate or industrial policy. It is social policy, economic policy and security policy for all Europeans.

#KyriakosPierrakakis #Eurogroup #EnergySecurity #EnergyInfrastructure #Interconnectors #ElectricityGrids #EnergyStorage #FiscalPolicy #EuropeanEconomy #MiddleEast #EUdebates

At the “Paris Call for the Two-State Solution, Peace and Regional Security” Forum, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot hosted a high-level push to keep the two-state solution alive at a moment when hopes for peace are fading.

The Paris meeting brought together Israeli and Palestinian civil society representatives, international officials and peace activists to send one urgent message: war must not erase the possibility of peace. According to Reuters, Barrot said the international community must refuse to let war eclipse peace, while the forum’s “Call for Action” urged a permanent ceasefire, an end to settlements, reconstruction of Gaza, governance reform, and stronger support for civil society.

The forum also comes as civil society groups call on G7 leaders to act on Gaza, revive the two-state solution and protect peacebuilding efforts before the opportunity disappears. The Guardian reported that activists warned time is running out, while stressing that peace still needs people-to-people work, humanitarian access, transparent reconstruction and a credible political horizon.

#JeanNoelBarrot #TwoStateSolution #ParisCall #Gaza #Palestine #Israel #France #Peace #MiddleEast #Ceasefire #RegionalSecurity #HumanRights #Diplomacy #G7 #CivilSociety

European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said Europe must respond to the current economic pressure with fiscal discipline, targeted support and stronger investment in the future.

Speaking after the Eurogroup meeting, Dombrovskis warned that the energy shock, weaker growth, high interest rates and growing defence needs are all putting pressure on public finances.

He said next year’s budgets must reflect this reality, with careful consolidation, rigorous prioritisation and policies that safeguard fiscal sustainability.

Dombrovskis also said the European Commission and the IMF broadly agree on the euro area outlook and on key reform priorities: strengthening energy resilience, deepening the Single Market and advancing the Savings and Investment Union.

On energy, he stressed that support for households and businesses must be temporary and targeted, and must not increase demand for fossil fuels.

At the same time, Europe must scale up homegrown clean energy, continue electrification and strengthen grid infrastructure.

Dombrovskis also highlighted the importance of technological sovereignty, saying AI, cloud and chips will be central to Europe’s productivity, growth and competitiveness.

He said tech sovereignty and competitiveness must go hand in hand, supported by private capital, deeper capital markets and stronger European investment capacity.

His message was clear: Europe must stay fiscally responsible while investing in clean energy, digital technology, defence resilience and the foundations of long-term competitiveness.

#ValdisDombrovskis #Eurogroup #EuropeanCommission #EuropeanEconomy #EnergySecurity #CleanEnergy #TechSovereignty #AI #Chips #Cloud #SavingsAndInvestmentUnion #EUdebates