President of european parliament

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’

Anthony Albanese is edging closer to sealing a majority in parliament as counting continues following the Australian federal election . While six seats remain close, it's expected the final tally will show Labor holding 76 seats to 61 for the coalition, with 14 on the crossbench. This represents an eight-seat gain for Labor and a 16-seat loss for the coalition on the 2019 election result. In the closest contest, the Victorian seat of Deakin, former minister Michael Sukkar is ahead of Labor's Matt Gregg by 74 votes. READ MORE: ‘Incredibly honoured and humbled’: Australia's Anthony Albanese sworn in as 31st prime minister Australian election: Labor, Greens, rugby great David Pocock set to hold the cards in the Senate What Australia's change of government means for New Zealand Australia's next prime minister: Who is Anthony Albanese? Former New South Wales minister and Liberal candidate Andrew Constance is tracking 105 votes ahead of sitting Labor MP Fiona … [Read more...] about Labor well placed for majority in Australian Parliament

North Koreans cheer missile launch in bizarre propaganda film 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 North Korea launched three missiles today, including a suspected intercontinental ballistic missile. All three of the warheads were fired from the capital Pyongyang, South Korean officials said. A statement from the South Korean government read: "North Korea's sustained provocations can only result in stronger and faster South Korea-U.S. combined deterrence and can only deepen North Korea's international isolation. "(Our) government is maintaining constant readiness to strongly and effectively respond to any kind of North Korean provocation." Related … [Read more...] about Kim Jong-un’s European ally sent threat: ‘North Korea can destroy us with three bombs’

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

America’s largest tech giants would have the public believe that they’re patriotic firms, fighting the good fight for our values at home and abroad. The truth is that these companies are breathtakingly cynical actors who wrap themselves in the Stars and Stripes and then discard them at their earliest convenience. For firms such as Google, Apple, Facebook (Meta) and Amazon to make the case that they are American businesses being unfairly targeted because of their success in order to provide European companies with a competitive edge is disingenuous bordering on laughable, but the tech giants hope to hire enough highly paid lobbyists to smother the truth under a mountain of gold-plated rubbish. But there’s an old saying: by their fruits, ye shall know them. Big Tech’s fruits – their actions – are not patriotic. In fact, they are amoral. American values of free speech, democracy, free enterprise, tough but fair free market competition, and paying what you owe in taxes (not a penny … [Read more...] about Big Tech isn’t patriotic, it’s amoral and cynical

According to some parts of the press, the Prime Minister is between the devil and the deep blue sea on the matter of the Northern Ireland protocol . It is assumed that he must choose between a trade war with the EU if he abandons it, or the end of the Good Friday agreement (GFA) if he retains it. This is a hugely mistaken analysis which has informed the flawed and sometimes deceptive briefing that has taken place in Washington to members of Congress. How did we get here? Let’s remember that Boris Johnson inherited Parliament’s Brexit mess when he became Prime Minister. Speaker John Bercow and other hardcore opponents of Brexit, were intent on carrying out what was, in effect, a coup d’état against the British people and their democratic decision. Their efforts culminated in the passing of the Benn Act which ostensibly tried to prevent a no-deal Brexit but was, in fact, intended to block any Brexit at all, a situation only resolved by electoral victory in December 2019. By this … [Read more...] about History will judge those who refuse to seek compromise on the Northern Ireland Protocol

EU proposal for ban on Russian gas blocked by Orban says expert 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 This allows the country's outspoken Prime Minister to to repeal existing laws and take coercive measures by decree, meaning his Government can respond quickly to challenges created by the war in Ukraine. Viktor Orban said his Government's first measures would be announced on Wednesday as he desperately attempts to stabilise Hungary's economy as the conflict in Ukraine rages on. The Hungarian leader and right-wing nationalist politician announced the move in a video posted to his Facebook page on Tuesday. Related articles Putin will be … [Read more...] about ‘On brink of economic crisis’ Viktor Orban declares state of emergency over Ukraine war

Louie Johnston was seven years old when his father, a police officer in Northern Ireland, was shot dead while on patrol in the town of Lurgan. A quarter of a century later, Johnston says his hopes that the killer will one day stand trial could be about to fade further. The UK government is planning legislation designed to help Northern Ireland draw a line under the so-called Troubles that blighted the region for three decades. Under the plan, which is being debated in the UK Parliament for the first time on Tuesday (local time), the authorities will seek to address more than 1000 of the unsolved murders from the era. Anyone who genuinely co-operates with investigations will get immunity from prosecution. The proposed bill has divided a region synonymous with tension between the mainly Protestant unionists, or loyalists, who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the UK and the predominantly Catholic nationalists who want an end to British rule. Yet, rather than along sectarian … [Read more...] about Unsolved murders haunt Northern Ireland’s past – and its future

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