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☆ Estonian PM Kallas Signals Interest in Top NATO Job -Politico
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

OSLO (Reuters) - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said late on Tuesday she would like to be considered for the job of NATO secretary general once Jens Stoltenberg steps down, Politico reported. Speaking at a Politico conference in Washington, Kallas responded "yes" when she was pressed on whether she'd like to be considered for the role, according to the report. NATO diplomats have said, however, Kallas may be regarded as too hawkish by some members of the Western defence alliance. Stoltenberg has been in post since 2014 and is due to step down in October 2024. Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has also said he would be interested in the job of leading NATO.

Persons: Kaja Kallas, Jens Stoltenberg, Kallas, Stoltenberg, Mark Rutte, Terje Solsvik, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Estonian, Politico, European Union, NATO, Dutch Locations: OSLO, Washington, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, NATO, Ukraine

☆ EU sees pragmatist in Brexit vote instigator Cameron on his return
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

As prime minister, Cameron called the referendum on European Union membership in 2016, although he campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU. "Welcome back David Cameron," Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, soon after Cameron was appointed as Foreign Secretary in a cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Another EU diplomat said Cameroon's absence from politics for seven years meant he was partly an unknown quantity, but felt he was more a pragmatist than not. Cleverly's term as foreign minister, under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, led to a turnaround in post-Brexit EU-UK ties, thawing from stubborn, bitter stand-offs to pragmatic negotiations yielding results. Sefcovic credited his past year working with Cleverly with "putting EU-UK relations back on track", adding that he looked forward to continuing this work with Cameron.

Persons: David Cameron's, Cameron, David Cameron, Mark Rutte, Rishi Sunak, Maros, James, Sefcovic, Philip Blenkinsop, Andreas Rinke, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: European Union, Britain, Twitter, Conservative, EU, European, NATO, Russia, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Britain, EU, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Berlin

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Ukraine tries to rally troops, urging them to resist being 'burned out' as counteroffensive drags
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visit the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged during summer by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine October 13, 2023. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there will be no easy victories in the counteroffensive to retake Russian-occupied territory, amid concerns over the relatively slow progress it has made to recapture land. "Now the colossal things that our people, all our warriors are doing, are taken for granted," he added. Ukraine is under pressure to deliver tangible results in its counteroffensive, which it launched in June, but its the front line spanning from southern to eastern Ukraine has not changed substantially. There are also concerns that military aid for Kyiv could decline, particularly given rising disaffection and war fatigue among Western publics and some politicians, and as the Israel-Hamas war continues.

Persons: Mark Rutte, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Holly Ellyatt Organizations: Dutch, Ukraine Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Odesa, Russia, Kyiv, Israel

Jerusalem and Gaza CNN —Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday a ground incursion into Gaza will take place and that current airstrikes were “just the beginning,” as new satellite images revealed the devastation wrought by Israel’s bombs in the besieged enclave. Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on May 1 Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on October 21 Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies Beit Hanoun, Gaza SATELLITE IMAGE ©2023 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIESThe IDF told civilians to leave the crowded northern portion of the Palestinian enclave, where the bombardment has been especially severe. UNRWA director for Gaza Tom White told CNN that aid workers would have to decide what aspects of life-saving aid they could and could not provide to civilians. A view of the rubble and ruins of buildings that were demolished in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on October 25, 2023. US President Joe Biden said Wednesday he told Netanyahu that if it’s possible to secure the release of hostages in Gaza ahead of an Israeli ground invasion, he should do so.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Netanyahu, Israel, “, –, ”, Peter Lerner, Maxar, Beit, Al Jazeera, Wael Al, Al, CPJ, Youssef Alzanoun, OCHA, Gaza Tom White, Mark Rutte, Hamas –, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, he’d Organizations: Gaza CNN, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, IDF, Protect Journalists, UN Relief and Works Agency, UN’s, US, European, Dutch, Ireland, Getty Images Qatar, Hamas, Qatari Locations: Jerusalem, Gaza, Israel, ”, Beit Hanoun, Al, Atatra, Hanoun, Ramallah, Israeli, Al Jazeera, Lebanese, Russia, Slovenia, Egypt, Germany

☆ Zelenskiy says Russia probably targeted nuclear plant with drones
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"It is most likely that the target for these drones was the Khmelnitskyi nuclear power station," he said. "The shock wave from the explosion shattered windows, including on the nuclear power station's premises." Next time, we may not be so fortunate.”Ukraine's air force destroyed all 11 Russian drones launched overnight, the military said. "At night, the enemy struck territory near the Khmelnytskyi nuclear power plant. Ukraine's five nuclear power stations have been a point of contention in the 20-month-old Russian invasion.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Rutte, Nina Liashonok, Zelenskiy, Serhiy Tyurin, Rafael Grossi, Ihor Klymenko, Vasiliy Sydor, Pavel Polityuk, Robert Birsel, Tom Balmforth, Ron Popeski Organizations: Dutch, REUTERS, Rights, International Atomic Energy Agency, United Nations, Russia, Energy Ministry, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Odesa, Russian, Netishyn, Russia

☆ Israel Strikes Gaza, Lebanon Overnight; Netanyahu Convenes Generals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily RoseGAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes early on Monday and its aircraft struck southern Lebanon overnight, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of his top generals and his war cabinet to assess the escalating conflict. Israel's attacks concentrated on the Gaza Strip's centre and north, Palestinian media reported. A strike on a house near the Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, killed several Palestinians and wounded others, according to media reports. "The prime minister noted his nation's unity and determination to eliminate the military and governing capabilities of Hamas," Netanyahu's office said. French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will visit Israel this week.

Persons: Nidal, Emily Rose, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Israel, Lloyd Austin, ABC's, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Pope Francis, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Nidal al, Phil Stewart, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Health, Iranian, . Defense, Reuters, Iran, Hezbollah, GAZA Palestinian, White, Dutch Locations: Emily Rose GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Washington, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Syria, Israeli, Damascus, Aleppo, GAZA, Rafah, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Jerusalem

☆ French president Emmanuel Macron to visit Israel in coming days
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a video-conference with the families of French hostages by the Hamas militants who had entered Israel from the Gaza Strip, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, October 20, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Pool/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 22 (Reuters) - French president Emmanuel Macron will visit Israel in coming days, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said on Sunday. Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte "will arrive tomorrow and Tuesday and will meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu," it said on Sunday in a post on X. The Elysee has not yet confirmed the visit. Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau, Layli Foroudi Editing by Nick ZieminskiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Benoit Tessier, Mark Rutte, Netanyahu, Elizabeth Pineau, Nick Zieminski Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Israel, Dutch, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, Paris, France

A strike on a house near the Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, killed several Palestinians and wounded others, according to media reports. Israel has amassed tanks and troops near the fenced border around Gaza for a planned ground invasion aiming to annihilate Hamas. [1/5]An Israeli flag flutters from a self-propelled howitzer near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 22, 2023. Netanyahu also held a phone call with the leaders of France, Spain and the Netherlands late on Sunday, the Israeli leader's office said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will visit Israel on Monday and French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Tuesday.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Lloyd Austin, ABC's, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Pope Francis, Mark Rutte, Emmanuel Macron, Nidal al, Emily Rose, Phil Stewart, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Biden, Health, Iranian, Pentagon, . Defense, Reuters, Iran, REUTERS, Hezbollah, GAZA Palestinian, White, Israel, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Lebanon, Washington, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Syria, Israeli, Damascus, Aleppo, Rafah, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Dutch, Jerusalem

☆ Netanyahu says French, Dutch leaders to visit Israel this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Miriam Alster/Pool via REUTERS/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsJERUSALEM, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will visit Israel this week. Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the two leaders "will arrive on Monday and Tuesday" and meet with him. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; editing by John StonestreetOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Miriam Alster, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Ari Rabinovitch, John Stonestreet Organizations: U.S, Hamas, Rights, Dutch, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy and Dutch PM Visit Odesa, Agree to Boost Air Defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ODESA, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, visiting the Black Sea port of Odesa, vowed on Friday to improve Ukraine's air defences and to increase the security of a "humanitarian corridor" for grain exports. In August, Ukraine announced a new humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea following Moscow's withdrawal from a deal allowing the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. It has sought safe shipping routes as air strikes inflicted damage on its port and grain export infrastructure near the Black sea and on the Danube River. Zelenskiy described the air strikes as "vile tactics" and thanked Rutte for a new air defence package which would include missiles for Patriot air defence systems. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine was nearing an agreement with some partners on insurance for ships using the corridor but gave no details.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Rutte, Zelenskiy, Rutte, Iryna Nazarchuk, Olena Harmash, Timothy Heritage Organizations: Reuters, Dutch, Kyiv, Rutte, Patriot Locations: ODESA, Ukraine, Black, Odesa, Netherlands

☆ Biden, Macron, others have voiced support for Israel following deadly Hamas attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US President Joe Biden addresses the terrorist attacks in Israel from the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 7, 2023. President Joe Biden on Saturday detailed a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which he expressed support for Israel after the deadly attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. "I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the Government and people of Israel. According to Netanyahu's office, the Prime Minister also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Saturday, both of whom "expressed full support for Israel's right to defend itself." In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also condemned the attacks and voiced support for Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Biden, Magen David Adom, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Antony Blinken, Blinken Organizations: White, Israeli, Israel, Palestinian, Hamas, Government, Terrorism, Saturday, U.S, Gaza, Palestinian Health Ministry, Minister's, Dutch, European Union Locations: Israel, Washington ,, United States

☆ World reacts to surprise attack by Hamas on Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The UK will always support Israel’s right to defend itself," Foreign Minister James Cleverly said in a social media post. URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION"I unequivocally condemn the attack carried out by Hamas terrorists against Israel. DUTCH PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE"Just spoke with Prime Minister @netanyahu about the unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel. POLISH FOREIGN MINISTER ZBIGNIEW RAU"I strongly condemn Hamas' ongoing attacks on Israel. AUSTRIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALEXANDER SCHALLENBERGSchallenberg strongly condemned what he called a "cowardly and underhand" attack on Israel by Hamas.

Persons: Mahmoud Issa, OLAF SCHOLZ, Scholz, EMMANUEL MACRON Macron, Macron, JAMES, James, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, JOSEP BORRELL, Borrell, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Erdogan, MARK RUTTE, @netanyahu, Rutte, MIKHAIL BOGDANOV, Mikhail Bogdanov, Israel, Israel's, ZBIGNIEW RAU, Rau, PETR PAVEL, Pavel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ALEXANDER SCHALLENBERG Schallenberg, HADJA LAHBIB, Ros Russell, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Twitter, SAUDI ARABIA'S, OF, AK Party, DUTCH, Hezbollah, Gaza, MINISTRY, Israel, State, SWISS DEPARTMENT OF, BELGIAN, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, Germany, SAUDI, Egypt, TURKISH, Ankara, Netherlands, RUSSIAN, MIKHAIL BOGDANOV Russia, Iran, Lebanese, Ukraine, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, CZECH, Czech Republic, Czech, AUSTRIAN, Belgium, Greece

☆ Italy and Britain pledge joint action against 'illegal migration'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ROME, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Italy and Britain want to lead the way in Europe in the fight against "illegal migration", the right-wing prime ministers of the two countries said in a joint op-ed published on Friday. The article is another show of unity between two governments whose tough approach on immigration has come under fire from charities and human rights advocates. French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also took part in the talks, held on the sidelines of a wider summit in Granada, Spain. At this meeting, "leaders committed to take action to support one another to tackle the challenges of illegal migration," Meloni and Sunak said, adding: "We're proud that Italy and the UK are leading on this together." Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Ursula von der Leyen, Alvise Armellini, Stephen Coates Organizations: The Times, Albanian, Edi Rama, Thomson Locations: Italy, Britain, Europe, Ukraine, Dutch, Granada, Spain

☆ Italy and Britain Pledge Joint Action Against 'Illegal Migration'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

ROME (Reuters) - Italy and Britain want to lead the way in Europe in the fight against "illegal migration", the right-wing prime ministers of the two countries said in a joint op-ed published on Friday. The article is another show of unity between two governments whose tough approach on immigration has come under fire from charities and human rights advocates. French President Emmanuel Macron, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also took part in the talks, held on the sidelines of a wider summit in Granada, Spain. At this meeting, "leaders committed to take action to support one another to tackle the challenges of illegal migration," Meloni and Sunak said, adding: "We're proud that Italy and the UK are leading on this together." (Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Editing by Stephen Coates)

Persons: Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Ursula von der Leyen, Alvise Armellini, Stephen Coates Organizations: The Times, Albanian, Edi Rama Locations: ROME, Italy, Britain, Europe, Ukraine, Dutch, Granada, Spain

☆ European leaders say they can’t fully replace U.S. support to Ukraine as funding fears grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Gathering in Granada, Spain, for a summit of the European Political Community, European leaders sought to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion. He has insisted, however, that a majority of members across both major parties support funding Kyiv. "Ukraine needs the support of the European Union, which is sure, they will have it and we will increase it. "As far as I oversee the situation in the United States, I am very confident of support for Ukraine from the United States. Asked whether the EU could step in if the U.S. does not resume its support for Ukraine, Rutte said, "It is not necessary.

Persons: Josep Borrell, Jorge Guerrero, Joe Biden, Robert Fico, Washington's, Borrell, Viktor Bondarev, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Ursula von der Leyen, Biden, Mark Rutte, Rutte Organizations: EU, Representative, Union for Foreign Affairs, Palacio, Congreso, Afp, Getty, Political Community, Wednesday, Republican, U.S . Congress, European Union, Kyiv, Russia's Federation, Committee, Defense, Security, European Commission, Congresos, Political, Europa Press, Dutch, U.S . House, Representatives, Hague, Ukraine Locations: Granada, Spain, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Russian, Slovakia, Kyiv, EU, America, Russia, Andalusia, United States, Netherlands

CNN —A 32-year-old student has been arrested after a “targeted” shooting rampage in the Dutch city of Rotterdam left three people dead on Thursday, according to local authorities. The suspect later went into a classroom at the prestigious Erasmus University Medical Center nearby, where he fatally shot a 46-year-old doctor, Westerbeke said. The alleged gunman – who studied at Erasmus University – was ultimately arrested under the hospital’s helipad, Westerbeke said. Bas Czerwinski/ANP/AFP/Getty ImagesNetherlands' police officers gather near the entrance to Erasmus University Medical Center (Erasmus MC) in Rotterdam on September 28, 2023. He had a gun in his pocket and was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was detained, according to Westerbeke.

Persons: Fred Westerbeke, “, ”, Westerbeke, –, Erasmus University –, ” Westerbeke, Erasmus MC, Bas, Mark Rutte Organizations: CNN, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus University, EMC, Medical, Czerwinski, Getty, Netherlands, Erasmus, Bas Czerwinski, Authorities, NOS, Netherlands ’, Twitter Locations: Dutch, Rotterdam, Netherlands

☆ Japan PM Kishida spoke about Fukushima water release with G20 leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Katya Golubkova | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event on the day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 9, 2023. Japan started releasing treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean last month, and faced harsh criticism from China which immediately banned all seafood imports from Japan. Japan says the water release is safe, noting that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has also concluded that the impact it would have on people and the environment was "negligible." "Prime Minister Kishida explained that the data monitored since last month's (water) discharge has been made public in a prompt and highly transparent manner. The Fukushima water release was among topics at Kishida's meetings with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Japan foreign ministry said in separate statements.

Persons: Fumio Kishida, Evelyn Hockstein, Kishida, Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak, Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman, Hikariko Ono, Ono, Li Qiang, Tayyip Erdogan, Mark Rutte, Anthony Albanese, Narendra Modi, Katya Golubkova, Chizu Organizations: Global Infrastructure, REUTERS, International Atomic Energy Agency, British, World Trade Organization, IAEA, Dutch, Australian, Indian, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, Japan, China, Saudi, Indonesia

☆ Factbox: Who is attending the G20 summit in New Delhi?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

People stand infront of Nataraja, a statue of Hindu lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer, installed next to 'Bharat Mandapam', the main venue of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, September 7, 2023. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain Acquire Licensing RightsNEW DELHI, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies kick off an annual summit meeting on Saturday to coordinate policy on food security, debt problems of vulnerable countries and climate action. Here is a list of those attending and some key leaders who are skipping the meeting in the Indian capital, New Delhi. G20 LEADERS:ARGENTINA'S PRESIDENT ALBERTO FERNANDEZ AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER ANTHONY ALBANESE BRAZIL'S PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVABRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZINDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI INDONESIAN PRESIDENT JOKO WIDODOITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONIJAPANESE PRIME MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMANSOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT YOON SUK-YEOLTURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDENEUROPEAN UNION: PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION URSULA VON DER LEYEN AND PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL, CHARLES MICHELSPECIAL INVITEES:BANGLADESH PRIME MINISTER SHEIKH HASINAEGYPT PRESIDENT ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISIMAURITUIUS PRIME MINISTER PRAVIND KUMAR JUGNAUTHNETHERLANDS PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU OMAN'S SULTAN HAITHAM BIN TARIK AL-SAID SINGAPORE PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG UAE PRESIDENT SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ZAYEDOTHERS ATTENDINGU.S. Treasury Secretary Janet YellenThe heads of the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Health Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, the Financial Stability Board and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. NOTABLE MISSING GUESTSCHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING (represented by Prime Minister Li Qiang)MEXICAN PRESIDENT ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADORRUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN (represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov)Sources: Reuters, officials, state media and domestic mediaCompiled by Aftab Ahmed and Shivangi Acharya; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shiva, Bharat Mandapam, Altaf Hussain, ALBERTO FERNANDEZ, ANTHONY ALBANESE, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, JUSTIN TRUDEAU, EMMANUEL MACRON, OLAF SCHOLZ INDIAN, NARENDRA MODI, JOKO, GIORGIA, FUMIO KISHIDA, FUMIO KISHIDA SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN PRINCE MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN, CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, YOON SUK, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, JOE BIDEN, URSULA VON DER, CHARLES MICHEL SPECIAL, SHEIKH HASINA, ABDEL FATTAH, PRAVIND KUMAR, MARK RUTTE, BOLA TINUBU, HAITHAM BIN TARIK, LEE HSIEN LOONG, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ZAYED, Janet Yellen, XI JINPING, Li Qiang, ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ, VLADIMIR PUTIN, Sergei Lavrov, Aftab Ahmed, Shivangi, Sanjeev Miglani, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA BRITISH, FUMIO KISHIDA SAUDI ARABIA'S CROWN, CYRIL RAMAPHOSA SOUTH, TAYYIP ERDOGAN U.S, OF, EUROPEAN, CHARLES MICHEL SPECIAL INVITEES, ABDEL FATTAH AL, Treasury, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Health Organisation, World Trade Organisation, International Labour Organisation, Organisation for Economic Cooperation, Development, Foreign, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, DELHI, BANGLADESH, SHEIKH HASINA EGYPT, NETHERLANDS, SINGAPORE, LEE HSIEN LOONG UAE, MEXICAN, RUSSIAN

☆ Dutch government presses ahead with Schiphol flight cap as airlines protest
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Flights will be capped at 452,500 per year, Harbers said, 9.5% below 2019 levels and lower than a previous proposal of 460,000. Airlines that use Schiphol including Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) have sued to try to prevent the cap at one of Europe's busiest airports. The decision is "arbitrary, ill-thought out and undercuts procedures normally used," said Ourania Georgoutsakou, managing director of industry group Airlines For Europe (A4E). Airlines opposed to the ban are appealing to the Dutch Supreme Court after losing an appeal in July. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which supports the airlines' case, on Thursday told the Dutch caretaker government not to proceed ahead of a national election in November.

Persons: Yves Herman, Mark Harbers, Harbers, Ourania Georgoutsakou, Mark Rutte, Toby Sterling, Mark Potter Organizations: KLM, REUTERS, Rights, Aviation, European Commission, Airlines, Air France, Europe, Dutch, International Air Transport Association, U.S . Department of Transport, Thomson Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Schiphol

☆ The Netherlands gifted Ukraine a fleet of F-16 fighter jets 9 years after Putin's proxies blew MH17 out of the sky, killing 196 Dutch passengers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Netherlands is sending up to 42 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to help aid its war against Russia. The event marked the arrival of the first bodies of the victims of flight MH17, which was shot down over Russian separatist-controlled territory, killing all 298 passengers, including 196 Dutch nationals. Matthew LotzColijn said the tragedy also helped Dutch people contextualize Russia's war on Ukraine. REUTERSBut while the delivery of F-16 jets may seem symbolic, Colijn said it was largely a pragmatic move. The Dutch defense ministry has long been planning on phasing out its aging F-16 fleet, which it has been replacing with F-35s.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Mark Rutte, Chris Colijn, Matthew Lotz Colijn, Rutte, doesn't, Colijn, Piet Ploeg, Ploeg, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia Paul van Hooft, van Hooft, Van Hooft, I'm Organizations: Russia, Eindhoven Airbase, Service, Eindhoven, Malaysia Airlines Amsterdam, Ukraine —, Reuters, RTL Nederland, US Air Force, Fighting Falcons US Air Force, Tech, REUTERS, MH17, Foundation, Dutch, Hague, Strategic Studies Locations: Netherlands, Ukraine, Wall, Silicon, Kuala Lumpur, Russian, Russia

☆ How many F-16 jets will Ukraine get and how will they change war?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Denmark this month began training eight Ukrainian pilots in flying the jets, the Danish armed forces said. Officials from a coalition of 11 nations have said F-16 training will also take place in Romania. A Ukranian air force spokesman has said he did not expect Ukraine to be able to operate F-16 jets this coming winter. Designed in the 1970s and produced in the 1980s by General Dynamics, now a part of Lockheed Martin (LMT.N), the F-16 jets that Ukraine will receive are around 40-years-old. Russia warned that supplying jets to Ukraine would escalate the war.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Rutte, de Wouw, Mette Frederiksen, Zelenskiy, Oleksiy Reznikov, Lockheed Martin, Esben Salling Larsen, Salling Larsen, Vladimir Barbin, Johannes Birkebaek, Jacob Gronholt, Terje Solsvik, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Dutch, REUTERS, Rights, Danish, Russian, Ukraine's Defence, NATO, General Dynamics, Lockheed, Royal Defence College, WHO, JETS, Gripen, Saab, Pedersen, Thomson Locations: Eindhoven, Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, UKRAINE, Danish, Skrydstrup, Greece, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, RUSSIA, Russia, Russian, Norway, Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, Copenhagen

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy in Netherlands in push to boost air defences
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is greeted by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, during his visit to Eindhoven, Netherlands, August 20, 2023. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw Acquire Licensing RightsEINDHOVEN, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrived in the Netherlands on Sunday in an ongoing push to boost Ukraine's air defences, days after the United States approved the possible delivery of F-16 fighter jets by the Netherlands and Denmark. Zelenskiy will meet outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at a military air base in Eindhoven, Rutte's office said without providing further details. According to figures from the Dutch defence ministry, the Netherlands currently has 24 operational F-16s which will be phased out by mid-2024. Reporting by Bart Meijer, Stephanie van den Berg and Piroschka van der Wouw Editing by David Goodman, Elaine HardcastleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Rutte, de Wouw, Zelenskiy, Rutte, Oleksiy Reznikov, Lockheed Martin, Bart Meijer, Stephanie van den Berg, Piroschka van, David Goodman, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: Dutch, REUTERS, Rights, Global Peace Summit, Ukraine's Defence, Lockheed, Gripen, Thomson Locations: Eindhoven, Netherlands, States, Denmark, The Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Sweden

CNN —The Netherlands and Denmark will provide Ukraine with much sought-after F-16 aircraft in an agreement hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as “historic.”Kyiv has urgently been calling on its Western allies to provide F-16 jets, as its slow-moving counteroffensive is hampered by Russian air superiority. “The Netherlands became the first country to agree to provide Ukraine with F-16s after training. Conditions for the transfer include training Ukrainian personnel, setting up infrastructure and logistics, and receiving the necessary authorization, it said. Out of these 42, we need planes to help training in Denmark and later on in Romania,” Rutte said. Rutte said that language training for Ukrainian service personnel was ongoing and military training in Denmark would begin soon.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Mark Rutte, Ukraine ”, ” Zelensky, ”, Rutte, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ksenia Kuleshova, ” Rutte, Zelensky, Mette Frederiksen, Oleksii Reznikov Organizations: CNN, Kyiv, Zelensky, Dutch, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bloomberg, Getty, Danish, Ukraine’s Locations: Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, Eindhoven, Danish, Romania

☆ Zelenskyy vows retaliation for Chernihiv attack that killed 7 people and wounded almost 150
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday vowed stern retaliation for a Russian missile strike in the center of the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv that killed seven people and wounded almost 150 others the day before. He identified a 6-year-old girl named Sofia as among the dead in the attack and confirmed that the wounded included 15 children. Meanwhile, Russian air defenses jammed a drone flying towards Moscow early Sunday causing it to crash. Later on Sunday, Starovoit reported that a drone attack on an electrical substation on Saturday had left over 5,500 people in two districts without power, which was later restored. Successful strikes have exposed the vulnerabilities of Moscow's air defense systems.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Vyacheslav Chaus, Oleh Syniehubov, Mark Rutte, Rutte, Vyacheslav Gladkov, Roman Starovoit, Starovoit Organizations: NATO, Kharkiv, Gov, Internal Affairs Ministry, Dutch, Kyiv, Defense Ministry, Moscow, Russia's Defense Ministry, Kremlin Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Chernihiv, Ukrainian, Russia, Sweden, Lithuania, Sofia, Kupiansk, Vovchansk, Kharkiv, Netherlands, United States, Eindhoven, Denmark, Belgorod, Kyiv, Kursk

☆ Factbox: Resistance to green policies around Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Kuba Stezycki/File PhotoAug 10 (Reuters) - Europe faces growing pushback against policies to address climate change and protect the environment, causing its green agenda to start to fray as severe heatwaves and wildfires rage. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last month warned of climate policies that "unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs", days after his ailing Conservatives unexpectedly clinched a local election after opposing charges for the most polluting vehicles. Riding a wave of protests against the government's environmental policies, it unexpectedly beat the conservative VVD party in regional elections in March. POLANDPoland's government, long conservative on environmental policies at home and facing elections in October, has gone a step further by suing Brussels. The row has helped propel the far-right Alternative for Germany to second place in the polls.

Persons: Kuba, Rishi Sunak, Sunak, Mark Rutte, Kate Abnett, Sarah Marsh, Gloria Dickie, Anthony Deutsch, Angelo Amante, Pawel, Susanna Twidale, William James Organizations: REUTERS, Union, EU, BRITAIN, Conservatives, Farmer, Movement, Justice, Greens, Thomson Locations: Gryfino, Poland, Europe, ITALY, Italy, BRITAIN Britain, Britain, NETHERLANDS, POLAND, Brussels, GERMANY, Germany, Berlin, Bremen, London, Amsterdam, Rome, Warsaw

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