Amid a noisy line of vehicles obstructing the ring road of Bucharest, a farmer emerged holding a lamb with the flag of Romania around its neck. “We became Europe’s slaves”, said Ghiocel, 47, his cheeks rosy from the freezing late January temperatures, as he stroked the young animal. “That is no longer possible!” Beside him, … Read moreTractors on TikTok: Europe’s farmers send a loud pre-election message
European Union leaders are preparing for a crucial meeting that will be dominated by a second attempt at passing a 50-billion-euro ($54bn) amendment to the EU budget that will help finance Ukraine over the next four years. That amendment was vetoed by Hungary at December’s regular summit along with 20 billion euros ($21.7bn) in military … Read moreUkraine funding, Orban’s opposition set to dominate crucial EU summit
French farmers have blocked major motorways around France with tractors in a standoff with the government over concerns about inflation and competition from cheap imports. On Monday, farmers said they aimed to establish eight chokepoints on significant roads into Paris. “We need answers,” said Karine Duc, a farmer in southwestern Lot-et-Garonne, as she joined a … Read moreFrench farmers block major motorways around Paris as dispute escalates
The United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on a network of people who targeted Iranian opposition activists for assassination under Iran’s orders, the US Treasury Department has said. The US Treasury said the network was directed by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and put sanctions on 11 people connected to it, … Read moreUS, Britain announce sanctions on network that targeted critics of Iran
Finland, Europe’s easternmost liberal democracy and a new NATO member, is bracing for an important presidential election. The Nordic nation controls the European Union’s longest border with Russia and is one of a handful of EU members to have fought a war with Russia. Its position on Ukraine has been outspokenly and consistently against Russia’s … Read moreNew NATO member Finland set to pick president after 12 years of Niinisto
The United Nations and the United Kingdom say a two-state solution is key to bringing peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict as international pushback against Israel’s rejection of Palestinian statehood grows. The UK’s foreign minister said on Wednesday as he set off for a tour of the Middle East that he would highlight Britain’s long-term support … Read moreUN, UK push Israel on role of two-state solution in ending Gaza war
Russia and Ukraine traded deadly aerial attacks on civilian centres in the past week of the war, but Ukraine also scored hits on military and economic infrastructure deep in the Russian heartland, extending its reach to St Petersburg for the first time. Ukrainian military intelligence said it had struck an unspecified military target in St … Read moreDrones attack deep in Russia as Medvedev threatens Ukraine’s ‘existence’
The structure of the global benchmark Brent crude futures market and some physical markets in Europe and Africa have been reflecting tighter supply partly over concerns about shipping delays as vessels avoid the Red Sea due to missile and drone attacks. The disruptions – which have been the largest to global trade since the COVID-19 … Read moreOil supply tightens in Europe over Red Sea disruptions
FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino has called for worldwide stadium bans for fans and “automatic forfeits” for teams whose supporters hurl “abhorrent” abuse, following racist incidents at club matches in Italy and England. The head of governing body the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) said on Sunday that there was no place for discrimination of … Read moreFIFA’s Infantino calls for automatic forfeits for teams over racist abuse
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across towns and cities in Germany to protest against the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. On Sunday, rallies against the AfD were held in Berlin, Munich and Cologne, as well as in more traditional AfD voting strongholds in eastern Germany such as Leipzig and Dresden. … Read moreHundreds of thousands protest against far-right in Germany