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☆ NATO chief says Trump’s comments on abandoning alliance endangers US and European troops
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

In a statement Sunday, Stoltenberg said such comments put European and American soldiers at an increased risk. He also criticized American defense pacts with Asian allies Japan and South Korea. The conflict has raised concerns Putin may have further expansionist ambitions, which the leader denies, or that a NATO country may become directly embroiled. European Council President Charles Michel also hit back against the comments and said they reemphasize the need to keep the alliance strong. You got to pay your bills.”Biden said Sunday that Trump “is making it clear that he will abandon our NATO allies” and outlined the potential consequences of Trump’s comments.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Donald Trump, Trump, Stoltenberg, ” Stoltenberg, “, NATO Ally, ”, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Trump’s, Joe Biden’s, Charles Michel, ” Michel, ” Trump, ” Biden Organizations: CNN, NATO, International Criminal, Washington, European, Atlantic Treaty Organization, Sunday, Trump, “, Ukraine Locations: Russia, Europe, South, Taiwan, Asia, Japan, South Korea, Ukraine, Sweden, Finland, Turkey, China, Korea, North Korea, Philippines, United States, Pacific, Soviet Union, Canada, Poland, Baltic States, Israel

☆ Trump’s incendiary NATO remarks send very real shudders through Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Nick Paton Walsh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

NATO gives it a global bedrock of legitimacy, support for the dollar, and the post-Soviet hegemony it thrives upon. Saturday’s misunderstanding considered, Trump’s comments come at a devastatingly bad time for Europe. The more the US bemoans its allies and their miserly neglect of NATO, and withdraw from it, the less powerful it is. Is NATO willing to go to war with Moscow over Russian-speaking parts of the Baltic state of Estonia? He is not simply saying the US won’t help NATO allies who haven’t paid.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, doesn’t, –, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Tucker Carlson, Russia’s, ’, Charles Michel, Trump’s, haven’t Organizations: London CNN, Trump, NATO, Republican, GOP, Putin, Fox News, Kremlin, Senior, Britons, European Locations: Russia, Europe, Ukraine, Kyiv, America, Moscow, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Romania, France, Baltic, Estonia, Svalbard, Russian, Finland, Sweden, Western Europe

☆ Three Dead in Senegal Protests Over Delayed Presidential Election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Diadie Ba and Ngouda DioneDAKAR (Reuters) - The death toll amid protests in Senegal over the postponement of the presidential election until December has climbed to three, as concerns grow that one of the remaining democracies in coup-hit West Africa is under threat. The ministry has so far confirmed only one death, a student in the northern city of Saint-Louis on Friday. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm a reported second death: a 23-year-old merchant on the outskirts of Dakar, according to CFS. "We urge all parties to act in a peaceful and measured manner, and we continue to call on President Sall to restore the electoral calendar, restore confidence, and bring calm to the situation," it said. The postponement bill backed by parliament included the extension of his tenure until his successor is installed after the election now reset for Dec. 15.

Persons: Ba, Dione DAKAR, Macky Sall, Sall, Ndiame Diop, Louis, Guy Marius Sagna, Alessandra Prentice, Hugh Lawson Organizations: West African, ECOWAS, Cartogra Free, Reuters, Friday, U.S . Bureau, African Affairs Locations: Senegal, Africa, Dakar, Zinguinchor, Cartogra Free Senegal, Saint

☆ The US, China, and Europe's economies are drifting apart. The global 'decoupling' is moving markets.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe biggest players in the global economy are on different trajectories, and markets around the world are reflecting the shifting landscape. "Signs of decoupling are present in global growth, trade, and equity markets," Bank of America strategists wrote in a Friday note. AdvertisementTo that point, the outlook for the Euro area looks softer. BofA expects Euro area growth at 0.4% in 2024 and 1.1% in 2025. Growth forecasts for US, Euro Area, and China.

Persons: —, Janet Yellen, BofA, SPX Organizations: Service, Bank, Business, Bank of America, Wall, Federal Reserve, ECB, Bank of America Global Locations: China, There's, Germany, Spain, Europe

☆ What's Next in Pakistan Election Deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

By Gibran Naiyyar PeshimamISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's national election ended with no party winning a majority in parliament, in polls marred by militant violence, political turmoil and questions of transparency. The two, along with other smaller parties, form a coalition government in which Sharif or his brother is prime minister and important positions are given to other parties. The two parties were in government together for 16 months till August, with Bhutto Zardari as foreign minister and Sharif's brother Shehbaz as prime minister. BHUTTO ZARDARI PUSHES TO HEAD COALITION GOVERNMENTWhile Sharif and Khan's candidates won the most seats, no party can form government without the PPP. With both looking to keep the other out of power, the PPP strikes a deal to make the young Bhutto Zardari prime minister.

Persons: Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam, Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, SHARIF, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Benazir Bhutto, Bhutto Zardari, Shehbaz, Khan, BHUTTO ZARDARI, Sharif's, Gibran Peshimam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Monetary Fund, National Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party Locations: Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam ISLAMABAD, Sharif, Pakistan

☆ Spanish Police Scuffle With Farmers, Truck Drivers on Fifth Day of Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

A group representing drivers, Plataforma Nacional, and a newly created farmers' group, Plataforma 6-F, on Saturday came together to jointly demand action from Spanish and European leaders. Members of both groups, waving Spanish flags, wearing yellow vests and shouting 'Viva Espana', gathered in a car park near the Atletico de Madrid stadium and voted in favour of joining forces. That is why we are calling on politicians to take responsibility and do something," said Manuel Hernandez, head of the Plataforma Nacional, representing truck drivers. Since Tuesday, Spanish farmers have joined their counterparts from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Belgium in daily protests that include blocking several highways and ports. Both groups vowed to keep protesting, in Madrid and across the country, until their demands were met.

Persons: Manuel Hernandez, Catarina Demony, Guillermo Martinez, Jessica Jones, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Spanish, European Union, Plataforma Nacional, Saturday, Espana, Atletico de Madrid, Nacional, Socialist Locations: MADRID, Madrid, Spanish, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium

☆ Prague, Budapest Hold up EU Move to Sanction Violent Israeli Settlers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +3 min

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in December he would propose similar measures. The EU has not spelled out what the sanctions would entail but officials have said they would include bans on travel to the EU. The EU has already imposed sanctions on Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks and diplomats say more are in the pipeline. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Wednesday now was "definitely not the time" to sanction Israeli settlers, state news agency MTI reported. (Additonal reporting by Jan Lopatka in Prague and Boldizsar Gyori in Budapest; Editing by Nick Macfie)

Persons: Andrew Gray, John Irish, Josep Borrell, Israel, Peter Szijjarto, MTI, Jan Lipavsky, Jan Lopatka, Boldizsar, Nick Macfie Organizations: West Bank, West Bank ., EU Locations: John Irish BRUSSELS, PARIS, EU, Hungary, Czech Republic, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, United States, Britain, Budapest, Czech, France, Prague

☆ Why Rashida Tlaib's sister is trying to get voters to choose 'uncommitted' over Biden in the Michigan Democratic primary
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewAs President Joe Biden faces fresh questions related to his age and memory , another point of pressure is brewing in the battleground state of Michigan. Elabed is Tlaib’s younger sister, while Alawieh was once a top staffer to the Michigan congresswoman. Today, I’m joining 30+ of my elected colleagues from across SE Michigan in pledging to cast an “Uncommitted” vote in the upcoming presidential primary election. Uncommitted Michigan Democrats opposed to Biden’s policy in Gaza can demonstrate that we hold his margin of victory for re-election,” reads the group’s website . “Senior Biden officials were talking about the mistakes as more of a messaging problem,” said Alawieh.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Layla Elabed, Abbas Alawieh, Alawieh, “, Rashida Tlaib, Elabed, Tlaib, Tlaib’s, I’m, — Abdullah H, “ Trump, “ Biden, Robert Hur’s Organizations: Service, Business, Michigan Democrats, Democratic Rep, American, Democratic, Muslim, Michigan, Uncommitted Michigan, Biden White, Biden, United Locations: Michigan, Gaza, Israel, “, Dearborn, Detroit, Palestinian, Lebanon, Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, United States

☆ Supreme Court set to hear Trump challenge to Colorado ballot ban that cited 'insurrection'
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Six Republican and unaffiliated voters in Colorado had filed the lawsuit that led to the state Supreme Court ruling. Grimsley predicted that claim will be closely scrutinized by the Supreme Court justices during oral arguments. "I think the justices will be very interested in that question, if only because President or former President Trump has made that the lead argument in this case," Grimsley said. Three of the nine Supreme Court justices who will hear his appeal Thursday were appointed by Trump — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. Three other justices who were appointed by Republican presidents with Trump's appointees comprise a conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jared Polis, Doug Burgum, Trump, Joe Biden, Nikki Haley, Colorado's, Sean Grimsley, Grimsley, Mario Nicolais, Nicolais, Trump — Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett Organizations: Colorado, North Dakota, White, U.S, Supreme, Republican, Constitution, United, The, The Colorado Supreme Court, GOP, South Carolina Gov Locations: Washington ,, Colorado, United States, The Colorado

☆ Coup juntas threaten to quit West Africa bloc: Here’s what it means for the region — and Russia
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

ACCRA, Ghana - ECOWAS flag with member flags at the second extraordinary summit on the political situation in Burkina Faso, in Accra, Ghana, on February 3, 2022. OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso - Jan. 20, 2023: A banner of Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen during a protest to support the Burkina Faso President Captain Ibrahim Traore and to demand the departure of France's ambassador and military forces. Mali has ruled out leaving WAEMU, while Burkina Faso is considering it. "Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger will likely draw on the extractive sector to improve their weak economies. A recent UN Development Programme report surveyed 5,000 people who had directly experienced a recent coup or unconstitutional change of government, including citizens of Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan.

Persons: NIPAH DENNIS, Bola Tinubu, Vladimir Putin, Captain Ibrahim Traore, Alex Vines, there'd, Tinubu, Ouattara, —, Vines, Mucahid Durmaz, Verisk Maplecroft, Durmaz, Balima Boureima, insurgencies, Wagner, Niger, specter, Mohamed Bazoum, Rey Byhre Organizations: Getty, Economic, West African States, ECOWAS, Nigerian, Africa, Chatham House, CNBC, Algeria —, West, Cote D'Ivoire, Anadolu Agency, Getty Images, Wagner Group, West African Economic, Monetary Union, CFA, National Council for, UN Locations: ACCRA, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Accra, AFP, Mali, Niger, Sahel, Mauritania, OUAGADOUGOU, Chatham, France, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Algeria, Malian, Russia, Bamako, Mucahid, West Africa, Togo, Benin, Cote, NIAMEY, NIGER, Niamey, West, U.S, Moscow, WAEMU, Seme, Chad, Guinea, Sudan, The Gambia, Tanzania, Kati

☆ Britain suffered an embarrassing aircraft carrier malfunction just as China started showing off its new carrier
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

China touted the capabilities of its latest aircraft carrier just as a British vessel suffered an embarrassing malfunction that caused it to pull out of NATO exercises. Chinese state broadcasters recently devoted considerable airtime to discussing the Fujian, the aircraft carrier it launched in 2022, Newsweek reported. It came as the Royal Navy announced that its flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, had issues with a propeller shaft, meaning it had to withdraw from NATO's upcoming exercises. It is also stretching its naval capabilities by providing protection to vessels in the Red Sea targeted by Houthi rebels . And, quite simply, the Royal Navy doesn't have enough ships, particularly destroyers and frigates, he said.

Persons: HMS, Elizabeth, —, Wu Qian, Cao Weidong, Gerald R, Ford, Lord West, Prince Organizations: NATO, Newsweek, Royal Navy, Liberation Army, Popular Mechanics, Elizabeth British Royal Navy, US Naval Institute, Business, UK's Royal Locations: China, British, Fujian, East Asia, —, Taiwan, Elizabeth British Royal Navy China, Wales

☆ Spanish Farmers Blockade Roads for Second Day Against EU Policies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID (Reuters) - Spanish farmers blocked major highways with their tractors for a second day and disrupted access to port terminals as anger spreads in Europe's countryside against high costs, bureaucracy and competition from non-EU countries. "Some countries don't respect the rules, they don't have quality controls," said Juan, who grows lemons in Andalusia, and was on a blockade in front of the access to Malaga port. Fed up by the market situation and encouraged by similar protests in other European countries, Spanish farmers took their tractors out of their barns on Tuesday, two days ahead of protests scheduled by the country's main farmers associations. Over the past few weeks, farmers in European countries including Germany, France and Belgium have held protests that sometimes turned violent. Farmers say demanding rules imposed on them by the EU to protect the environment make them less competitive than peers in other regions, such as Latin America or non-EU Europe.

Persons: Juan, Inti Landauro, Emma Pinedo, Sharon Singleton Organizations: TVE, Farmers, European Commission Locations: MADRID, Europe's, Andalusia, Malaga, Germany, France, Belgium, EU, America, EU Europe

☆ EU Commission unveils a plan to slash emissions by 90%. Can it deliver?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Angela Dewan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The announcement will kick off months of talks that could take up to a year before the European Parliament rubber stamps the target. The European Greens — a faction of environmentally conscious lawmakers from several countries — are expecting big losses in the vote, after making sweeping gains in the 2019 election. “We’re looking at a European Parliament that is more in favor of regulatory freedom for member states,” Dufour said. The Greens had been successful in achieving a strong climate agenda through the EU parliament, he added. She said new conservative or even far-right lawmakers may also back some ambitious climate policies because so many make sense in terms of economics and security, as well.

Persons: —, Wopke Hoekstra, Andreas Solaro, Manon Dufour, ” Dufour, Dufour, Bas Eickhout, ”, Eickhout, Olivier Chassignole, ” Eickhout, I’m, Linda Kalcher, Kalcher Organizations: CNN, European Commission, EU, Parliament, European Greens —, Getty, Conservative, European People’s Party, EPP, Deal, European Greens, Greens, European Greens Party, ”, Green Locations: Lugo , Italy, AFP, Brussels, Bas, Dutch, Lyon, France, Brussel, Ukraine

☆ Group in Michigan Urges Protest Vote Against Biden Over Israel-Gaza War
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Reid J. Epstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The effort, called Listen to Michigan, is set to be formally announced on Tuesday. The campaign’s budget will be $250,000 and will include digital advertising, direct mail and phone and text banking to contact supporters, Ms. Elabed said. There is a history of Michigan Democrats using Uncommitted as a protest vote. In 2008, when Michigan defied Democratic National Committee rules by moving its primary up in the nominating calendar, Barack Obama’s campaign urged supporters to vote for Uncommitted against Hillary Clinton. In that contest, 40 percent of Democratic primary voters chose Uncommitted against Mrs. Clinton and three other candidates.

Persons: Biden’s, Biden, Layla Elabed, Rashida Tlaib, Elabed, “, ”, “ Tell Biden, Barack Obama’s, Hillary Clinton, Clinton Organizations: Uncommitted, Michigan Democrats, Michigan, Democratic Locations: Michigan, Israel, Dearborn, Mich

☆ Serbia's Parliament Convenes as Opposition Protests Vote Result
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

On Dec. 17, President Aleksandar Vucic's populist Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) secured nearly 47% of the votes in the parliamentary election and the opposition alliance Serbia Against Violence (SPN) almost 24%. At the opening session, opposition lawmakers blew whistles and waved banners reading "Election fraud" and "You stole elections", trading insults with their SNS counterparts. Radomir Lazovic, an opposition lawmaker, said plainclothed police and the parliament's security detail had stepped up checks at the parliament building to intimidate the opposition. Since the election, the SPN, other opposition parties and civil society groups have staged protests to demand a rerun of the vote. Serbia's opposition and rights watchdogs accuse Vucic and the SNS of stifling media freedoms, violence against opponents, corruption, and ties with organised crime.

Persons: Aleksandar Vucic's, Radomir Lazovic, Marinika, Vucic, Aleksandar Vasovic, Ros Russell Organizations: BELGRADE, Reuters, Serbian Progressive Party, SNS, European Union Locations: Serbia

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When the 2024 Grammy nominees were first announced, women dominated the major categories. And at Sunday's show, those nominations translated into awards: Every televised competitive Grammy went to at least one woman. But at the Grammys, where much of the focus is on performers, it appeared like women were ruling the industry. “I know that the way the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans,” she said. SZA, who led nominations with nine, took home three awards — but was completely shut out of the general field categories.

Persons: Miley Cyrus, Victoria Monét, Lainey Wilson, Karol G —, Bonito, Paramore, Taylor Swift, we’re, Phoebe Bridgers, boygenius, Bridgers, Neil Portnow, Portnow, ” Bridgers, Harvey Mason, we’ve, Swift, “, ”, couldn't, Finneas, Billie Eilish, ” Jay Z, ” Emily Lordi, —, Janelle Monae, Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill ”, Lordi, Billie Eilish’s, Billie Holiday’s, Miley, Tina Turner, Taylor, Tracy Chapman, SZA, intersectionally, Leslie Ambriz, Gary Gerard Hamilton Organizations: ANGELES, urbana, Associated Press, AP, USC, Initiative, Recording Academy, Academy, Jay, Dre, Vanderbilt University Locations: Dua Lipa, Lipa, American

☆ Russia's war in Ukraine has had an unlikely consequence — it has revived the EU's plans to get even bigger
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

People hold a banner and Ukrainian flags during a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia. As part of the Western Balkans block waiting for EU-membership, Serbia is caught in a geostrategic rivalry between its Western allies and Russia. Davos, SWITZERLAND — As spiking geopolitical tensions thrust the European Union into the spotlight, attention has turned to the strategically important Western Balkans. The Western Balkans, comprised of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Serbia, represent a notable gap in the map of EU membership in southeastern Europe. "I see the European Union more ready for the Balkans than the Balkans for the European Union," Miroslav Lajčák, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Western Balkans, told CNBC last month.

Persons: —, Miroslav Lajčák, Lajčák Organizations: EU, Union, European Union, Belgrade, Pristina, CNBC Locations: Ukraine, Belgrade, Serbia, Balkans, Russia, Davos, SWITZERLAND, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Europe, Yugoslavia, European, Western Balkans

In the past week, Kosovo police searched the premises of Serbia-administered institutions and of an ethnic Serb non-governmental organization, confiscating papers and computers believed to hold documentation contrary to the country’s laws. Most of Kosovo uses the euro, even though the country isn’t part of the EU. “The EU urges Kosovo to avoid unilateral actions that could raise tensions, and to address these issues through the EU-facilitated dialogue,” the EU statement said. Serbian forces fought a 1998-99 war with ethnic Albanian separatists in what was then the province of Kosovo. About 13,000 people, mostly ethnic Albanians, died until a 78-day NATO bombing campaign pushed Serbian forces away.

Persons: Jeffrey Hovenier, ”, Besnik Bislimi, Aleksandar Vučić, Albin Kurti, Josep Borrell Organizations: European Union, Kosovo, Police, Ambassador, EU, Serbian, Kosovo police, NATO, Belgrade doesn’t Locations: PRISTINA, Kosovo, United States, Serbia, Serbian, Belgrade, Kosovo’s, Serbs, Kosovo Serb, EU, Hovenier

U.S. President Joe Biden reacts as he attends the opening of the Biden for President campaign office in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., February 3, 2024. President Joe Biden won a landslide victory in South Carolina's Democratic primary Saturday, where voters sent a clear message that they are ready for Biden to pivot to the November election. Biden's overwhelming margin of victory left no question about who Democratic voters want to be on the ballot in November. Republicans will vote in their party primary on Feb. 24, where former South Carolina Gov. Unlike the Republican battle, the Democratic primary has, so far, been notable for its civility.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Donald Trump, —, Williamson, Phillips, Nikki Haley Organizations: Biden, South, Democratic, NBC News, Black, South Carolina Gov, GOP, Republican Locations: Wilmington , Delaware, U.S, South Carolina, In Iowa, New Hampshire

☆ Farmers’ protests have erupted across Europe. Here’s why
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Sophie Tanno | Chris Liakos | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

This week, the farmers’ protests struck at the heart of the European Union, when they rolled into Brussels on Thursday as leaders held a major summit on Ukraine. The EU has waived quotas and duties on Ukrainian imports in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “In Germany, it was really focused on diesel, so starting to tax diesel for tractors. France this week announced a series of measures for farmers in light of the protests. This has already been seen in Germany, when the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) involved itself in the protests and expressed solidarity with the farmers.

Persons: ”, Sebastien Bozon, Kay Nietfeld, Hugo Auge, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s, Dimitar Dilkoff, Emmanuel Mathé, “, we’re, Anger, Renaud Foucart, Sakis Mitrolidis, Stefano Guidi, Gabriel Attal, Attal, Ursula von Der Leyen, Rob Engelaar Organizations: CNN — Farmers, CNN, European Union, Toulouse, BFMTV, Getty Images Farmers, AP, Farmers, Getty, ” Farmers, EU, Lancaster University, Deal, Green, European Commission, French, Farmer, Citizen Locations: Europe, Paris, France, Italy, Spain, Romania, Poland, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Netherlands, Eastern Europe, EU, Brussels, Ukraine, Zandvliet, Meer, Lyon, Vesoul, AFP, Berlin, Thessaloniki, Spanish, Hamburg, Cologne, Bremen, Nuremberg, Munich, Eastern, Bulgaria, Yvelines, French, Noisy, Seine et Marne, England, Novara, Belgium, Arendonk, Dutch

It's the kind of obstruction of key policy objectives for which Orbán has become notorious within the European Union. “We are the sand in the machinery, the stick between the spokes, the splinter under the fingernail,” Orbán said in a speech to tens of thousands of supporters in 2021. Now, frustrated EU officials are trying to determine what Orbán seeks to achieve with his obstructionist strategy, and how they might overcome it. But with his veto power, the nationalist leader will have plenty of further opportunities to sow discord within the EU. Widely considered to be Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest ally in the EU, Orbán has been accused by his critics of promoting Moscow’s interests over those of his EU and NATO allies, and of preparing to lead his country out of the EU entirely.

Persons: —, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, ” Orbán, Donald Tusk, “, ”, Péter Krekó, ” Krekó, “ Orbán, Daniel Freund, Freund, it’s, he's, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, “ He’s, he’s, Krekó, Vladimir Putin’s Organizations: NATO, European Union, EU, Conservative Political, Green, United, U.S, Trump, Germany, Political Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, Brussels, Polish, Ukraine, Budapest, Germany, France, Italy, Europe, United States, Washington, Netherlands, Union

☆ South Carolina primary kicks off Biden’s march to 2024 Democratic nomination
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Eric Bradner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —South Carolina, the state that launched Joe Biden to the Democratic nomination four years ago, is set Saturday to deliver the president his first official primary victory of the 2024 campaign. Fifty-five delegates are at stake in Saturday’s primary in South Carolina. This year marks the first time South Carolina has appeared at the front of the official Democratic nominating calendar — a change made largely due to Biden’s urging. DNC elevates South Carolina over Iowa and New HampshireFor decades, Iowa and New Hampshire had cast the first votes in Democratic presidential primary battles. Attendees cheer as Biden speaks at a South Carolina Democratic Party event in Columbia on January 27, 2024.

Persons: Joe Biden, Dean Phillips, Marianne Williamson, Biden, Kamala Harris, “ You’ve, I’ve, ” Biden, won’t, Kent Nishimura, Jim Clyburn —, Jimmy Carter, Nikki Haley’s, Donald Trump’s, Betsy Klein, Terence Burlij, Ethan Cohen Organizations: CNN, Democratic, Minnesota, Democratic National Committee, Iowa Democratic, New, Republican, Palmetto State, South Carolina State University, Brookland Baptist Church, South Carolina Democratic Party, Getty, South Carolina, Republicans, Black, GOP, South Carolina Gov, Monmouth University, Washington Post, Trump Locations: South Carolina, Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire, Granite State, Orangeburg, Columbia, Southern California, Nevada, AFP, Georgia, Michigan , Pennsylvania, Wisconsin

☆ Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, Zelenskyy says, as Ukraine struggles for supplies
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Russia is now getting a million artillery shells from North Korea, per Ukrainian intelligence. AdvertisementUkraine says Russia is getting a million artillery shells from North Korea as it is struggling with its own supplies from its allies. "Intelligence confirms that Russia will receive a million artillery shells from Pyongyang," Zelenskyy said, per an official translation of his video address. "Meanwhile, unfortunately, the implementation of the European plan to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine is being delayed," he said. In his address, Zelenskyy said that North Korea sending more than one million artillery shells to Russia is a "signal of global competition, in which Europe cannot afford to lose."

Persons: —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Josep Borrell, Rustem Umerov Organizations: Service, Intelligence, EU Locations: Russia, North Korea, Ukraine, Pyongyang, Korea, Europe

☆ French Minister Heads to Mideast With Post-War Gaza Plans in Mind
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By John IrishPARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister travels to the Middle East on Saturday to test ideas about reviving an Israeli-Palestinian political process after the Gaza war as Europe tries to play a role in a conflict that has deeply divided the European Union. He was referring to Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne's trip to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Lebanon, where he will also continue French efforts to defuse tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. European Union member states are divided on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and their response has mostly been to try to ease the humanitarian situation in the enclave. The Gaza war was triggered by fighters from the Hamas militant group who stormed across the border fence into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza say more than 27,000 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, thousands more wounded, the enclave left in ruins and many more displaced.

Persons: John Irish PARIS, Christophe Lemoine, Stephane Sejourne's, Israel, Josep Borrell, John Irish, William Maclean Organizations: European Union, Union, EU Locations: Gaza, Europe, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Iran, EU, Paris

☆ VCs need to return cash to their investors. The secondary market is coming alive as a result.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Venture capitalists need to free up cash and return money to their own investors, known as limited partners (LPs). The secondary share sales market in the US is well established. Bad timingMost VC funds agree to return their profits to their LPs within 10 years. A record 31 secondary funds headquartered in Europe were established in 2021, amid the hype period, with $29 billion in assets under management per PitchBook. It all comes down to how buoyant the VC market is: "If the market is good again, then who's going to sell secondary?

Persons: There's, Michael Smith, Regeneration's Smith, Kelly Rodriques, Hussein Kanji, Kanji, Hussein, Tom Henrikkson, OpeanOcean, it's, Henrikkson Organizations: Venture, Business, Industry Ventures, Cherry Ventures, Ventures, Albion, Forge, Financial Times, VC, Hoxton Ventures, Sequoia Locations: Silicon Valley, Europe, San Francisco, Amsterdam, London

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