Europe

Russian plan for nukes in Belarus raises questions

  by Didier LAURAS The Kremlin’s announcement that it will station nuclear weapons on the territory of its ally Belarus echoes US practice in Europe, but doubts remain over how far Russia will take the plan. Opting to rattle the nuclear sabre yet again following his February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin is shoring up his tough image at home and attempting to raise the pressure on Kyiv’s Western allies, analysts say. But […]

Germany braces for transport ‘mega-strike’

by Deborah COLE Agence France-Presse BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Transport staff across Germany are set to stage a major strike on Monday to push for wage hikes in the face of brisk inflation, as passengers brace for serious disruptions. Workers at airports, ports, railways, buses and metro lines throughout much of Europe’s top economy are expected to heed a call by the Verdi and EVG unions to the 24-hour walkout. “A labour struggle that has […]

Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin says will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighbour and ally Belarus, bringing the arms to a country at the gates of the European Union. Putin has previously issued thinly veiled warnings that he could use nuclear weapons in Ukraine if Russia were threatened, reviving Cold War-era fears. He also said he would deploy depleted uranium ammunition if Kyiv received the controversial weaponry from the […]

Unrest in France prompts postponement of King Charles III visit

Paris, France | AFP | Saturday 3/25/2023 by Adam PLOWRIGHT and Dina JEHHAR Violent pension reform protests in France led to the postponement Friday of King Charles III’s trip to the country, highlighting the growing security and political problems faced by President Emmanuel Macron. The French president condemned the latest burst of violence overnight, while a human rights watchdog criticised the “excessive use of force” by police during recent demonstrations. King Charles’ first foreign trip […]

Large asteroid to zoom between Earth and Moon

  Paris, France | AFP | Saturday 3/25/2023 by Daniel Lawler A large asteroid will safely zoom between Earth and the Moon on Saturday, a once-in-a-decade event that will be used as a training exercise for planetary defence efforts, according to the European Space Agency. The asteroid, named 2023 DZ2, is estimated to be 40 to 70 metres (130 to 230 feet) wide, roughly the size of the Parthenon, and big enough to wipe out […]

Zelensky pleads for jets, missiles, after visit to frontline

by Victoria Lukovenko Agence France-Presse KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday told European leaders that “delays” sending fighter jets and long-range missiles could extend the war, after he paid a visit to the frontline southern region of Kherson. On the train home from the war-ravaged areas, Zelensky gave an emotional account of what he had seen as he addressed a summit of his EU counterparts gathered in Brussels via video link, […]

Violence flares as French protesters vent fury at Macron reform

  Protesters clashed with French security forces Thursday in the most serious violence yet of a three-month revolt against President Emmanuel Macron’s hugely controversial pension reform. Almost 150 police were injured and scores of protesters arrested nationwide, the government said, as a day of protests descended into chaos in several cities including Paris, where protesters lit fires in the historic centre of the city. The uproar over the imposition of the reform — which the […]

‘Guns and Roses’: Bulgaria arms trade booms on Ukraine war

by Vessela SERGUEVA Agence France-Presse KAZANLAK, Bulgaria (AFP) — With its huge munitions factories and endless rose fields, Kazanlak in central Bulgaria has been really living up to its “Guns and Roses” nickname since Moscow invaded Ukraine. Bulgaria’s booming arms industry has never had it so good, with exports estimated at $4.3 billion last year (about four billion euros) — three times its previous record. The country’s oldest arms maker Arsenal, which already employs 7,000 […]

Italy’s ‘Fourth Mafia’, little-known but extremely violent

by Alexandria SAGE Agence France-Presse FOGGIA, Italy (AFP) — It took a loaded pistol pointed at Lazzaro D’Auria’s head for the Italian landowner to finally say yes to the country’s newest and most violent mafia. The Puglia farmer had resisted their extortion attempts in the past –- the threats, the fires, the damage to his crops and property. But surprised by the early morning visit of a dozen men, including a boss with a gun, […]

Freed French journalist returns home to emotional welcome

  by Delphine TOUITOU with Camille LAFFONT in Niamey French journalist Olivier Dubois, 48, made an emotional return home on Tuesday following nearly two years in captivity in the Sahel, greeted by his family and President Emmanuel Macron at an airport near Paris. Dubois and 61-year-old US aid worker Jeffery Woodke, who was seized in southwest Niger in October 2016 — arrived in the Niger capital, Niamey, on Monday after being freed. Dubois stepped off […]

BBC urges staff to ditch TikTok over data fears

  The BBC said Monday that it had told staff to delete Chinese-owned video app TikTok unless it was needed for business reasons, with Western institutions increasingly taking a harder stance over data collection fears. The British broadcasting giant reported that it sent staff a message on Sunday saying: “We don’t recommend installing TikTok on a BBC corporate device unless there is a justified business reason. “If you do not need TikTok for business reasons, […]

‘Unlimited possibilities’: Key takeaways from Putin-Xi summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Chinese leader Xi Jinping for two days of closely-watched talks on Monday and Tuesday. Here are five key takeaways from the Putin-Xi summit: –  ‘A new era’ – The two days of talks at the Kremlin were heavy on pomp and ceremony as Putin and Xi hailed a “new era” in the two countries’ relationship. The Russian leader said that bilateral cooperation “has truly unlimited possibilities and prospects” and toasted the […]