European affairs_europe

The European Parliament would like "Ukraine to become an (EU) candidate country as quickly as possible," Roberta Metsola told Euronews "For us, Ukrainians are fighting our war. They are fighting a war in Europe, they are fighting against an autocratic dictatorship that is intimidating, and menacing and blackmailing the whole of the European Union and our whole continent," the president of the European Parliament told Euronews at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos. "If we don't say we are going to open our doors to countries fighting for the very fundamental values that we all share and are so proud to share, then how can we walk away from that?" Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, meanwhile, told Euronews that businesses in Ukraine are already slowly rebuilding. "The message we are hearing from businesses is that there is no future for business in Russia. So the focus now is on Ukraine and it is really about what … [Read more...] about European Parliament chief says Ukraine should be EU candidate ‘as quickly as possible’

Water is life, but climate change poses a major threat to this precious resource in Europe and beyond. And as global temperatures rise, harsher droughts are set to further impact supply and access to clean water. Worldwide, one in ten people don't have access to a clean water source close to their home, which threatens their health and pushes communities into poverty. And with the global population predicted to increase into the second half of the century, competition for water resources is only going to get worse. More extreme weather events, including flooding, are predicted in the future too, while contaminants such as fertiliser could also make their way into waterways - impacting nature and supply sources for humans. The impact of water scarcity on business The fallout of water scarcity for infrastructure and industry is also huge. For sectors like agriculture, which, according to the World Bank Group, uses around 70 percent of global freshwater, the stakes … [Read more...] about The future of water: How can Europe fight the climate crisis?

Monkeypox could become entrenched in Europe forever if the current outbreak jumps to pets, health officials have warned. The warning comes as the number of cases in the United Kingdom triples to 57. All but one of the UK cases are in England, with the UK Health Security Agency announcing on Monday the identification of 36 more infections in England to go with the 20 previously known patients. One person with monkeypox has also been found in Scotland, but there are no known cases in Wales or Northern Ireland. Health officials insist the risk to the population remains low, but experts believe there is an urgent need to ensure animals do not contract the virus as they could become permanent reservoirs of disease. READ MORE: Monkeypox likely spread by sex at 2 raves in Europe Everyone is talking about monkeypox - so should you be worried? US says it has vaccines to treat monkeypox amid concerns over disease's spread Ministry of Health: Risk of monkeypox in New … [Read more...] about Monkeypox could become endemic in Europe if virus makes the jump to pets, experts say

Published 7 February Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Russia-Ukraine war US President Joe Biden has vowed to shut down a key Russian gas pipeline to Germany if Moscow invades Ukraine. Speaking after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Washington, Mr Biden said the US would "bring an end" to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Their talks came as French President Emmanuel Macron met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and expressed hope that war could be avoided. There are growing Western fears of a Russian invasion, which Moscow denies. Russia currently has more than 100,000 troops massed on Ukraine's borders. US officials said on Sunday that Russia has assembled 70% of military forces needed for a full-scale invasion . In recent weeks, Moscow has demanded that the Western military alliance Nato ban Ukraine from ever becoming … [Read more...] about Ukraine crisis: Nord Stream 2 will end if Russia invades – Biden

The government will not publish the legal advice around scrapping the Northern Ireland protocol , the Attorney General Suella Braverman has said. Speaking on ‘The Take with Sophy Ridge’ on Sky News, Ms Braverman said the government will explain the legal basis so people can understand the decision taken, but that it won't publish full legal advice as this is "incredibly rare". "We are not going to publish the legal advice.  It is incredibly rare for the government to publish its legal advice," she said. "I think what the government is doing is it will be setting out a bit more detail about the legal basis so that people have a bit more of an understanding about why we think the action taken is lawful." The UK has threatened to tear up the Northern Ireland protocol and suspend border checks in the Irish Sea as Unionists argue that it has driven a wedge between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. In a recent stand-off with the EU, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss accused the … [Read more...] about We won’t publish legal advice around scrapping Northern Ireland protocol, says Attorney General

There were some amused comments as German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her entourage swept in at the Council of the Baltic Sea States in Kristiansand in Norway. "It's the German delegation” people chuckled. The Germans' masks were the give-away. Mask-wearing is no longer a thing in Norway – everyone else gathering for the Council of Baltic Sea States was mask-free, making the Germans look a little angsty. But angst is not the new German foreign minister's style, and the masks were soon discarded as the meetings began. All eyes were on Baerbock as she made her debut in this setting. The turning point "I want to thank Annalena personally and Germany for taking leadership in Europe , and especially northern Europe, after this war,” said Baerbock's Norwegian counterpart at the closing press conference. "In Norway we see that there has been a turning point in Germany's position… and we fully appreciate that,” she added, referring to the massive investment in the … [Read more...] about Baltic sea countries rally together against Russia

Sinn Fein told Conservatives on Tuesday to “stop pandering to the DUP” by threatening to rip up the Northern Ireland Protocol at a historic meeting in Parliament. Mary Lou McDonald, the party leader who has predicted a referendum on Irish reunification in the next decade, accused Boris Johnson of using the row over the Brexit treaty to distract from partygate and the calls for his resignation. "We've made the case very clearly that Boris Johnson needs to stop playing games, stop using Ireland as either a bargaining chip in this confrontation with the European system, or indeed as a distraction in his domestic affairs," she said before meeting Tory MPs. The event was an unprecedented diplomatic effort from Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the IRA and a party that has always refused to take up its seats in Westminster. The Bill would also stop future inquests and civil actions related to the Troubles, although it does not fully close the door to criminal … [Read more...] about Tories told to stop using Protocol row as ‘distraction from partygate scandal’ or risk trade war with EU

Ukraine: MoD has given 'optimistic' account of conflict says expert Get our free Ukrainians in the UK email for updates, changes and news SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The EU 27 approved the suspension of customs duties on Ukrainian products on Tuesday. The move, aimed at facilitating Kyiv's export of goods into Europe was lambasted in France . Related articles Ukraine: 'President messed up' Russian elite turning on Putin Russian General killed after missile attack on aircraft Generation Frexit campaigners blasted the temporary plan claiming it would cause a disadvantage to EU producers. They wrote: "Without consulting anyone, the 27 decide to suspend the customs duties of Ukraine … [Read more...] about ‘No citizen elected her!’ VDL under fire as calls for France to leave the EU explode

Ukraine: Host warns of bread shortages following wheat blockade Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info According to the UK's MoD, "no significant merchant shipping activity in or out of Odesa" has been recorded since Russia 's war on Ukraine began on February 24. The ministry's report echoes the assessments of Ukrainian and Western officials who in recent weeks have warned the pressure on prices triggered by disrupted grain supplies is forcing people in poorer nations, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, into a tricky situation. Related articles Russian General killed after missile attack on aircraft Moscow in … [Read more...] about Putin’s Black Sea blockade wreaks havoc on world with millions facing hunger – MoD update

Turkish security forces have allegedly discovered Swedish anti-tank weapons being used by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), according to reports, adding to Turkey's resolve to block Sweden's accession to NATO. As a part of Operation Claw-Lock, Turkish soldiers were able to raid caves they suspect had been used by the PKK in northern Iraq on Tuesday, according to a Daily Sabah report . Turkey has recently said it will block Finland and Sweden's bids to join NATO because of what it sees as their lax attitude towards Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants, who are considered terrorists by Ankara. The PKK, which has been fighting a war for independence against the Turkish state since 1984, is also listed as a terrorist group by the U.S. and the European Union due to deadly attacks the group has carried out in the country. The security forces carried out raids on several caves on Tuesday in the area in Iraq after five Turkish soldiers fighting against the PKK were … [Read more...] about Turkey Finds Potential Evidence to Use Against Sweden Joining NATO