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☆ Europe wants to Trump-proof in case of a second term. But that is not an easy task
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Former US President Donald Trump briefly returned as a central character in European politics earlier this week. Multiple EU officials and diplomats noted to CNN that his sudden recollection came at a particularly sensitive time, as the EU attempts to build its own defense capabilities outside of the US-led NATO alliance. Whether Trump actually made these comments or not is largely immaterial to European officials. And his hostility toward the Ukraine war effort has an impact even now, playing into the Republican Party’s reluctance to pass more US funding for Ukraine. Christine Lagarde, head of the European Central Bank, said only this week that Trump’s return would be a “threat” for Europe.

Persons: Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Trump, Ursula von der Leyen, ” Breton’s, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Letitia James, Spencer Platt, ”, Joe Biden, Europe’s, Ian Bond, ” Donald Trump, Jim Watson, Angela Merkel, Jesco Denzel, there’s, Christine Lagarde Organizations: CNN, Former, European, Republican, NATO, New York, Getty, Ukraine, “, Trump, EU, Centre, Economic, European Central Bank Locations: Europe, Iowa, Ukraine, New York City, Brussels, EU, United States, America, China, Davos, AFP, Russia, Beijing, Moscow, Charlevoix , Canada, European

☆ President Trump warned that the US would 'never' help Europe if attacked, a top EU official said
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-13 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A top EU official revealed that Trump said the US would not help Europe if attacked. The official said it was a "big wake-up call" and expressed fears about a second Trump presidency. As president, Trump was openly critical of the EU and questioned the US commitment to NATO. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump privately warned that the US would "never" help the EU if it were attacked, a top European Union official has revealed. According to Breton, Trump then said: "By the way, NATO is dead, and we will leave, we will quit NATO.""

Persons: Trump, —, Donald Trump, Thierry Breton, Ursula von der Leyen, Breton, Vladimir Putin, Joe Biden Organizations: EU, Trump, NATO, Service, European Union, French, Economic, Politico, Kremlin, Republican Locations: Europe, Davos, Breton, United States, Brussels, Ukraine, EU

☆ Here is one really great sentence about Taylor Swift after she got No. 5 on a 'Most Powerful Women' list
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Katie Notopoulos | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

5 on its list of most powerful women for 2023. 5 on their list of The World's Most Powerful Women — totally reasonable, totally normal! I mean, you just need to see it:AdvertisementAs formidable as Swift is, she is not, however, the most powerful woman in the world. That title goes to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, whose policy and budgetary decisions affect Europe's 450 million people. Good luck holding onto the title next year, Ursula von der Leyen.

Persons: Taylor, Taylor Swift, —, Swift, she's, Forbes, Ursula von der Leyen, Ursula von der, Taylor's Organizations: Forbes, Service, Kansas City Chiefs

☆ Elon Musk's Cybertruck apocalypse
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Adam Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In most regards, the sales pitch for Tesla's new Cybertruck doesn't differ in its particulars from the value proposition of any other pickup or SUV. But unlike the Cybertruck, its sales pitch has a curve: Musk has said all along that it's designed to be your go-to vehicle for the End of the World. "The apocalypse could come along at any moment, and here at Tesla we have the finest in apocalypse technology." If you believe in an apocalypse with trucks, you must also believe that someone will be maintaining the necessary infrastructure. In the early 20th century, when cars first came within financial reach of average Americans, the sales pitch focused on freedom of movement.

Persons: Elon, Musk, —, It's, cofound, Ursula K, Le Guin, Ken Liu, Mike Pondsmith, Adam Rogers Organizations: SpaceX, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Cooperation Locations: Francisco, Megacity

☆ EU to Issue Firm Words at China Summit With Limited Expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Dec. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Top EU officials will raise an array of concerns from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to trade irritants in a summit with Chinese leaders on Thursday that is expected to be long on firm words, but short on outcomes. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in the morning and Premier Li Qiang in the afternoon on their one-day visit to Beijing. There will be no joint statement from Thursday's talks, EU officials said, and they do not expect concrete outcomes from the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019. The European Union will also have questions on Chinese intentions towards Taiwan, but its focus will be on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. EU officials say the two sides could cooperate more on action to combat climate change and to promote biodiversity.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Josep Borrell, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Thursday's, Joe Biden, Philip Blenkinsop, Andrew Gray, Laurie Chen, Grant McCool Organizations: European, U.S, The European, European Union Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, EU, Beijing, China, California, Taiwan, Russia, North Korea, Brussels

☆ China Says Summit With EU Leaders to Discuss Global Economic Issues
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dec. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) - The China-EU summit will be held on Thursday in Beijing, China's foreign ministry said on Monday, where leaders of both sides will discuss strategic and global economic issues of common interest. "China and Europe are partners, not rivals ... our common interests far outweigh our differences," foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing. Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, state media reported. "We will explore ways to solve problems through dialogue and consultation," Wang said, adding that "we will cooperate to meet global challenges and inject new impetus into the world and increase stability in the international situation." (Reporting by Liz Lee and Beijing newsroom; Writing by Bernard Orr; Editing by Tom Hogue and Jamie Freed)

Persons: Wang Wenbin, Xi Jinping, Charles Michel, Ursula von der, Wang, Liz Lee, Bernard Orr, Tom Hogue, Jamie Freed Organizations: European Locations: BEIJING, China, EU, Beijing, Europe

A general view of a wind turbine at Westmill Wind Farm & Solar Park, which is owned by the community and supports local renewable energy, at Watchfield, near Swindon, Britain, September 24, 2021. "More than 110 countries have joined already," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told the COP28 summit on Thursday of the renewables pledge. A draft of the renewable energy pledge, seen by Reuters, called for "the phase down of unabated coal power" and ending the financing of new coal-fired power plants. Africa receives just 2% of global investments in renewable energy. Somalia has the highest onshore wind power potential of any African country, yet one of the lowest electrification rates in the continent, according to the International Energy Agency.

Persons: Andrew Boyers, Ursula von der Leyen, Najib Ahmed, Kate Abnett, Richard Valdmanis, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European Union, United Arab, BP, Reuters, International Energy Agency, ___, Thomson Locations: Watchfield, Swindon, Britain, United States, United Arab Emirates, China, India, South Africa, Vietnam, Australia, Japan, Canada, Chile, Barbados, COP28, Africa, Somalia

☆ An old quote where Anthony Bourdain called Henry Kissinger a 'murderous scumbag' is making the rounds on X
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Anthony Bourdain despised Henry Kissinger, and called him a "murderous scumbag" in his 2001 book. Screenshots of Bourdain's words are now making the rounds on X after Kissinger's death. AdvertisementThe late celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain was famously unfiltered, and didn't mince any words when writing about former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. AdvertisementAfter Kissinger's death on Wednesday, Bourdain's words are now making the rounds on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Once you've been to Cambodia, you'll never stop wanting to beat Henry Kissinger to death with your bare hands."

Persons: Anthony Bourdain, Henry Kissinger, — Bourdain, —, you've, you'll, Bourdain, Kissinger, Slobodan Milošević, Anthony Bourdain pic.twitter.com, NtEu4YMOW7 Organizations: Service Locations: Cambodia, Serbian

☆ Op-ed: Europe is leaving a void in a multipolar world
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Kevin Klowden | Chief Global Strategist At The Milken Institute | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The Russian invasion of Ukraine only three months later served to provide an immediate driver for greater political unity within Europe. China, Russia and even the United States under Donald Trump have expressed dissatisfaction with institutions such as the World Trade Organization, the G7 and the United Nations. watch nowThe void is particularly apparent at the WTO, where the lack of European leadership on trade as the U.S. turned inward is particularly felt. Perhaps nothing shows the consequences of the lack of European strength in preserving these institutions than the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the combination of a split over Ukraine, and internal divisions within Europe, have prevented any way for Europe to play a key role with China.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyenââ, Pedro Sanchez Perez, Klaus Iohannis, Chancellor, Germany, Olaf Scholz, Charles Michel, Dursun, Angela Merkel, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Merkel, Ursula von der Leyen, Xi Jinping Organizations: European Commission, European, European Union, Anadolu Agency, Getty, World Trade Organization, United Nations, WTO, EU, NATO, APEC Locations: Spain, Romania, Brussels, Belgium, United States, China, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, U.S, Germany, Moscow, India, Southeast Asia, EU, East, Africa

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms' (META.O) paid no-ads subscription service, which it rolled out in Europe this month, breaches EU consumer laws, Europe's largest consumer group said on Thursday as it took its grievance to consumer protection authorities. Meta has said it launched the paid no-ads subscription service, which applies to Facebook and Instagram, to comply with EU rules requiring companies to give users a choice on whether their data can be collected and used for targeted ads. It also took issue with the "very high subscription fee for ad-free services" which could deter users. The ad-free service cost 9.99 euros ($10.96) monthly for Web users and 12.99 euros for iOS and Android users. Meta has said these prices are in line with Google's (GOOGL.O) YouTube and Spotify's (SPOT.N) premium services and with Netflix (NFLX.O).

Persons: Dado Ruvic, NOYB, Meta, BEUC, Ursula Pachl, Pachl, Foo Yun Chee, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Meta, REUTERS, Rights, European Consumer Organisation, CPC, Facebook, EU, YouTube, Netflix, Thomson Locations: Rights BRUSSELS, Europe, Austrian, Brussels

☆ Ukraine needs more air defenses to protect grain exports, Zelenskyy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

This picture taken on September 20, 2023 shows trains with Ukrainian grain stored in wagons covered with white tarpaulin on the second and third tracks in Dorohusk station at the Polish-Ukrainian border. Ukraine needs more air defenses to protect its grain export routes as well as regions bordering Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, as he addressed an international summit on food security in Kyiv. "There is a deficit of air defense - that is no secret," Zelenskyy told the Grain from Ukraine summit, which was attended by senior officials from European countries, including Swiss President Alain Berset and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. Zelenskyy was speaking after Russia attacked Ukraine with 75 drones overnight, the biggest drone assault of the war. "There are certain air defense systems... we are asking for them," Zelenskyy said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Zelenskyy, Alain Berset, Ingrida Simonyte, Ursula von der Leyen, We've Organizations: Lithuanian, Russia, UN Locations: Dorohusk, Ukrainian, Ukraine, Russia, Kyiv, Odesa, Ukraine's

☆ Ukraine needs more air defences to protect grain exports, Zelenskiy says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Max Hunder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"There is a deficit of air defence - that is no secret," Zelenskiy told the Grain from Ukraine summit, which was attended by senior officials from European countries, including Swiss President Alain Berset and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte. Zelenskiy was speaking after Russia attacked Ukraine with 75 drones overnight, the biggest drone assault of the war. Zelenskiy said Ukraine would be supplied by its foreign partners with vessels to accompany convoys of cargo ships from Ukraine's ports to guarantee their security. Ukraine, a major exporter of grain, has been exporting grain via unilateral corridors through the Black sea, after Russia withdrew in July from a UN-brokered deal to allow grain ships through its blockade. "There are certain air defence systems... we are asking for them," Zelenskiy said.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Alain Berset, Edgars Rinkevics, Ingrida Simonyte, Zelenskiy, Ursula von der Leyen, We've, Max Hunder, Elaine Monaghan, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Lithuanian, Russia, UN, Thomson Locations: Swiss, Latvian, Ukraine, Kyiv, KYIV, Russia, Odesa, Ukraine's, Washington

[1/3] Chinese Premier Li Qiang (R) and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on November 24, 2023. Jade Gao/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING/PARIS, Nov 24 (Reuters) - French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is set to meet the Chinese leadership in Beijing on Friday as she seeks to soothe ties after the launch of a European Union anti-subsidy probe backed by Paris into Chinese-made electric vehicles. France is also concerned about Chinese attempts to force French cosmetics companies to share manufacturing secrets with Chinese parties. Xi insisted that China welcomes investment from French firms in a telephone call on Monday with Macron, who urged fair treatment for foreign companies in China. Macron visited China in April with great fanfare, in an attempt to demonstrate France's strategic autonomy from the United States.

Persons: Li Qiang, Catherine Colonna, Jade Gao, Wang Yi, Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel, Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, Xi, Macron, Colonna, Laurie Chen, John Irish, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: French, of, People, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, European, European Commission, EU, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, PARIS, European Union, Paris, France, Ukraine, Iran, Gaza, North Korea, United States

☆ EU's von der Leyen says extremist violence in West Bank settlements must stop
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBRUSSELS, Nov 24 (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday that rising violence by extremists in the Israeli-occupied West Bank had to stop. Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank has increased since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. And to this end, unacceptable violence by extremists in the West Bank has to stop," she added. Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron also urged Israel to crack down on what he called "completely unacceptable" violence by West Bank settlers. Israel occupied the West Bank, which Palestinians want as the core of an independent state, in a 1967 Middle East war.

Persons: Raneen, Ursula von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Justin Trudeau, Charles Michel, Joe Biden, David Cameron, it's, Sudip Kar, William Maclean Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Rights, Canadian, European, Britain's, BBC, Thomson Locations: Huwara, Rights BRUSSELS, Israel, Canada, Gaza, –, United States

☆ Dublin, Ireland stabbing: Violent clashes erupt between police and protesters after knife attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Emma Tucker | Amy Cassidy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters in the central part of Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday after a knife attack in the capital city earlier in the day left three children and two adults injured. The streets of Dublin were “mainly calm” shortly before midnight, Irish public broadcaster RTE reported, citing police. A major operation is underway to restore order in the city after the attack and protests. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Gardai Superintendent Liam Geraghty reassured the public that there is “no terror-related activity” in the stabbings. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “shocked” by the knife attack, according to a statement on X.

Persons: “, ” Drew Harris, ” Harris, Clodagh Kilcoyne, Liam Geraghty, ” Geraghty, haven’t, Ursula von der Leyen, ”, Sinn, Mary Lou McDonald, Helen McEntee, CNN’s Sugam Pokharel, Amy Croffey Organizations: CNN, RTE, gardai, Police, European Union, ”, Irish, Parnell, Trinity College, Reuters, Ireland’s, Gardai Locations: Dublin, Ireland, Parnell, ”

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A countrywide billboard campaign that flooded the streets of Hungary this week takes aim at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the start of an election campaign that marks an escalation of tensions between the country's nationalist conservative government and the European Union. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long taken an adversarial approach to the 27-nation bloc. He has accused Brussels of seeking to impose unwanted policies on Hungary, and compared membership in the EU to the 40 years of Soviet domination Hungary experienced in the 20th century. “This national consultation is by far the most anti-EU document that the government has released so far," Kreko said. But after more than two years and little apparent progress, the anti-EU campaign may show that Orbán has given up on unblocking them, said Dorka Takacsy, a research fellow at the Centre for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Alex Soros, George Soros, “, Viktor Orbán, von, Leyen, Peter Kreko, Kreko, Dorka Takacsy, ” Takacsy, ” It’s, Soros, Jean, Claude Juncker, ”, Orbán, Eric Mamer, ” Mamer Organizations: European Union, Ukraine, EU, Centre, Integration, Democracy, European, Kreko, Huxit, Fidesz, Orbán Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungary, American, Hungarian, Brussels, EU, Budapest, ”, European, Europe

☆ Hungary's Ruling Party Submits Bill on 'Protecting National Sovereignty'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party submitted a bill on "protecting national sovereignty" to parliament on Tuesday to defend against what it called undue political interference by foreign persons or groups. The bill would set up a separate authority to explore and monitor risks of political interference and recommend changes in regulations. It would also punish banned foreign financing for parties or groups running for election with up to three years in prison. "Hungary's sovereignty is impaired -- and it also carries a heightened risk to national security -- if political power gets into the hands of persons or organisations dependent on any foreign power, organisation or person," the bill said. Orban, who has a two-thirds majority in parliament that allows Fidesz to change any legislation, scored his fourth landslide victory in 2022.

Persons: Viktor Orban's, Orban, Ursula von der Leyen, Boldizsar Gyori, Josie Kao Organizations: European Union, Communist, Fidesz, EU, Ukraine Locations: BUDAPEST, Hungarian, Hungary

☆ Analysis-Scholz's Coalition Buckles but Unlikely to Break - for Now
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +6 min

The decision has increased tensions within Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition, in particular between junior partners the Greens and the Free Democrats (FDP). But Scholz is unlikely to call for new elections as they would not benefit any of the coalition partners. "Scholz definitely wants to keep the government together and believes this will work as none of the three coalition partners stand to benefit from a break," a source close to the chancellor said. "In reality, the chancellor should dismiss his coalition partners now." "And the strength of the AfD is also the reason why no actors - not even the conservatives - currently have any interest in new elections."

Persons: Sarah Marsh, Holger Hansen, Andreas Rinke BERLIN, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Philipp Tuermer, Scholz, Stefan Marschall, Ursula Muench, Frank Decker, Friedrich Merz, Markus Soeder, Decker, Andreas Rinke, Alexander Ratz, Catherine Evans Organizations: Greens, Free Democrats, Scholz's Social Democrats, Tagesspiegel, Bertelsmann Foundation, SPD, University of Duesseldorf, University of Tutzing, Bonn University, Eurasia Group Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Bavarian

☆ This is the wildest coup in Silicon Valley history
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Michael Cogley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The wildest coup in Silicon Valley's history just took place over the last 48 hours. OpenAI booted CEO Sam Altman, nearly hired him back, then went with 2 other CEOs. Sam Altman has now been scooped up as an employee by Microsoft, OpenAI's biggest investor. Sam Altman had met with world leaders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in London earlier in the month. But Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has not let a good crisis go to waste.

Persons: OpenAI, Sam Altman, Altman, —, Mira Murati, Emmett Shear, Greg Brockman, — Aaron Levie, ❤️ emojis, AngelList, Babak Nivi, OpenAI's, Rishi Sunak, Kamala Harris, Ursula von der Leyen, Alastair Grant, Ilya Sutskever, Adam D'Angelo, Tasha McCauley, Helen Toner, Mary, Gary Marcus, Sam, 👉, Gary, Satya Nad Organizations: Microsoft, Service, British, AI, Georgetown's Center for Security, Emerging Technology, usl Locations: London

☆ Hungary's Orban erects billboards vilifying EU's von der Leyen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUDAPEST, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Hungary's ruling party unveiled billboards vilifying European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen on Monday, the first time it has made her a personal target in a campaign similar to one against her predecessor that angered Brussels. The billboards, erected overnight to launch a campaign for next June's European parliamentary election, depict Von der Leyen alongside Alex Soros, the son of liberal Hungarian-born financier George Soros, a perennial target of hostility from Orban's Fidesz Party. Soros is Jewish and some critics view the central role he plays in Fidesz propaganda as evidence of anti-Semitism, which Fidesz strongly denies. Similar billboards showing Von der Leyen's predecessor Jean-Claude Juncker alongside the elder Soros drew a rebuke from Brussels in 2019. Orban sent out a survey on Friday to Hungarians asking whether the EU should allocate more funds to Ukraine or grant it membership.

Persons: Ursula Von der Leyen, Von der Leyen, Alex Soros, George Soros, Soros, Von der, Jean, Claude Juncker, Orban, Krisztina, Peter Graff Organizations: Fidesz Party, Jewish, Fidesz, EPP, Thomson Locations: BUDAPEST, Brussels, Hungarian, Hungary, Europe, Russia, Ukraine

"The Compact with Africa conference aims to send this signal: You can count on Germany as a partner". The 4 billion euros would be channelled into the common EU-Africa Initiative for Green Energy. The European Union had already announced it would deliver it 3.4 billion euros in grants. German trade with Africa was 60 billion euros ($65.4 billion) last year, which is a fraction of its trade with Asia but up 21.7% on 2021. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara said the number of German companies had tripled in five years while Morocco's Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch said German investment had increased sixfold since 2015.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Liesa, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Alassane Ouattara, Aziz Akhannouch, Andreas Rinke, Sarah Marsh, Riham Alkousaa, David Gregorio Our Organizations: French, REUTERS, Rights, Africa, Africa Initiative for Green Energy, European Union, " Finance, Ivory, Morocco's, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Africa, Berlin, Germany, Europe, China, West, Russia, Asia, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia

☆ Ukraine says Russia launches drone attack on Kyiv for the second night in a row
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (not pictured), amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine November 4, 2023. Russia launched several waves of drone attacks on Kyiv early on Sunday for the second night in a row, stepping up its assaults on the Ukrainian capital after several weeks of pause, the city's military administration said. Popko said that according to preliminary information, Ukraine's air defense systems hit close to 10 Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones in Kyiv and its outskirts. On Saturday, Ukrainian officials said all drones heading toward Kyiv were destroyed, but some hit infrastructure facilities elsewhere in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials have warned that Russia would resume its large-scale bombardments of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure during the winter months.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ursula von der Leyen, Serhiy Popko, Popko Organizations: European, Reuters Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Moscow

Scholz, who has visited Africa several times since taking office in late 2021, will hold bilateral talks with several African countries on Sunday, before hosting a German-African investment summit at Berlin's Marriott Hotel on Monday morning. African countries have long complained that while Europe talks about investment, China actually provides financing without any moral lecturing. Still, Chinese lending in Africa is in decline, while European interest is rising as it seeks to diversify supply chains. Nearly two thirds of German companies want to expand their business in Africa, according to a study by KPMG and the German-African Business Association. The member countries of the G20 Compact are Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.

Persons: jostling, Scholz, Macron, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron, Mark Rutte, Olaf Scholz, Sarah Marsh, Andreas Rinke, Mike Harrison Organizations: Africa, Dutch, African Union, KPMG, African Business Association, Democratic, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Africa, Macron BERLIN, Germany, Berlin's, Europe, United States, Russia, China, Asia, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia

☆ Spain’s Pedro Sanchez secures new term, ending four-month deadlock
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Reuters —Spain’s parliament voted to make Pedro Sanchez prime minister for another term on Thursday, ending a protracted deadlock after an inconclusive general election in July. Sanchez had 179 votes in favor and 171 against, with no abstentions. It also represents a remarkable turnaround for Sanchez, who six months ago felt compelled to call a snap election after his party performed poorly in regional elections. Pedro Sanchez (L) is congratulated by Partido Popular leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo after winning a parliamentary vote to elect Spain's next premier, at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid on November 16. Feijoo described Sanchez as being “subject to a monthly contract with separatists” to be able to govern.

Persons: Reuters —, Pedro Sanchez, Sanchez, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, Olaf Scholz, ” Scholz, “, Ursula von der Leyen, Volodymyr Zelensky, Rodrigo Jimenez, Javier, Vox, Santiago Abascal, Feijoo, Esteban Gonzalez Pons, ” Sanchez, Spain's, Javier Soriano, ”, Miriam Nogueras, Nadia Calvino Organizations: Reuters, Spanish Socialist Workers ’ Party, PSOE, People’s Party, EU, Ukrainian, Spanish Socialist Worker's Party, Deputies, European People’s Party, EPP, Partido Popular, Socialists, European Investment Bank Locations: Spain, Catalonia, Spanish, Madrid, Socialist

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission will continue the use of the controversial chemical herbicide glyphosate in the European Union for 10 more years after the 27 member countries again failed to find a common position for or against a prolongation. The Greens political group of the EU Parliament immediately urged the Commission to backpedal and ban the use of glyphosate. The 10-year extension proposed by the European Commission required a “qualified majority,” defined as 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population of some 450 million people. Pascal Canfin, the chair of the Environment committee at the European Parliament, blamed the EU Commission president for moving forward despite the stalemate. EU member states are responsible for authorizing the use of products in their national markets, following a safety evaluation.

Persons: unconclusive, ”, Bas Eickhout, unfiled, “, Pascal Canfin, Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron Organizations: European Commission, European Union, Greens, EU, Environment, Monsanto, Bayer, Agency for Research, Cancer, World Health Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, Greenpeace Locations: BRUSSELS, backpedal, California, France, U.S, Germany, Italy

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