Europe

Displaying items by tag: Europe

Friday, 04 October 2024 00:08

Ukraine: Russia captures strategic town

Russia has captured the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Vuhledar, a significant blow to Ukraine as it faces its third wartime winter. Russian soldiers have raised their flag over the devastated town, once home to 14,000 people but now reduced to just over a hundred. Ukraine’s military confirmed their withdrawal, citing the threat of encirclement as Russian reinforcements arrived: their manpower advantage had finally broken Ukraine’s fierce resistance.The town sits at a crucial junction of Ukraine’s eastern and southern fronts: Ukraine now has to fight to stop the Russians advancing further west, making the prospect of retaking territory even more remote. This comes just after Volodymyr Zelensky's return from the USA, where he secured aid but not the security guarantees he sought. With Ukraine’s energy infrastructure still under attack, the coming winter will test its resilience even further.

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Four Russian journalists have gone on trial in Moscow, accused of involvement in an ‘extremist’ group linked to FBK, an organisation set up by the late dissident Alexei Navalny. The defendants face up to six years in prison if convicted. The trial, which closed to the public after a brief open session, underscores the worsening climate for press freedom in Russia. The prosecutors allege that the journalist contributed to content for the YouTube channel run by FBK, which has been labelled an extremist organisation.  As Russia tightens its grip on the media, 34 journalists and six other media workers are currently in detention, according to Reporters without Borders. Russia has intensified pressure on both domestic and foreign reporters since the start of its war in Ukraine.

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Thursday, 26 September 2024 20:09

Austria: far-right politician is the man to beat

Herbert Kickl, the far-right leader of Austria’s Freedom Party (FPO), is the man to beat in the parliamentary election on 29 September despite being one of the country’s least popular politicians. Known for his abrasive and provocative style, Kickl has positioned the election as a referendum on his leadership, with polls showing a close race between his party and chancellor Karl Nehammer’s conservative People’s Party (OVP). The FPO, which advocates tougher immigration laws and criticises the current OVP-Greens government, has capitalised on Austria’s struggling economy and high inflation. However, Kickl’s controversial views, including opposition to sanctions on Russia and promotion of conspiracy theories, have alienated other party leaders, who have vowed not to work under him. His aggressive personality and connections to far-right ideology make coalition-building difficult, and his future as Austria’s leader remains uncertain.

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Serbian judo champion Nemanja Majdov has been suspended for five months by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for making the sign of the cross during the Paris Olympics. The 28-year-old did this before his round of 16 match, violating the IJF's code of ethics, which prohibits religious gestures on the field of play. Majdov had previously been warned in 2018 and 2022, making this his third violation. Responding on social media, he expressed no regret for his actions. Rather, he affirmed his faith, stating that God is central to both his personal life and career, and vowed to return to competition next year with renewed determination. Despite his suspension, Majdov remains proud of his accomplishments, including winning the 2023 European Championship and three world medals. The IJF stated that the rules aim to ensure respect and equality for all cultures, religions, and orientations within the sport. Religious expressions are allowed outside the field of play but not during competitions.

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Central Europe has been severely affected by Storm Boris, bringing heavy rain and snow and causing flooding across Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria, with at least 24 reported deaths. In Poland, the town of Nysa has seen the evacuation of 40,000 residents, and other towns face severe damage after rivers overflowed. A state of natural disaster has been declared, with Wroclaw expecting more flooding. Meanwhile, rivers like the Oder and Danube are rising, with Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia also preparing for potential floods. Emergency services, aided by the military, are working tirelessly across the region to protect communities. On 19 September, Storm Boris reached northern Italy, with similar reports  of devastation: see Extreme rainfall is becoming more frequent and intense across central Europe, as across much of the world.

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Friday, 20 September 2024 09:47

Portugal: firefighters die battling wildfires

To date, seven Portuguese firefighters have died while battling over fifty wildfires ravaging the country’s central and northern regions. Portugal has mobilised around 5,300 firefighters and has also called for EU help. The fires have forced the closure of major motorways and disrupted train services in the north. Though authorities describe the situation as ‘calmer but still worrying’, many villages remain under threat. The hardest-hit area, Aveiro district, has lost dozens of homes, with four deaths reported. The fires, which have already burned through more than 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of forest and shrubland, could engulf a further 20,000 hectares. Portugal and Spain have so far recorded fewer fires than usual this year, but both remain vulnerable to the increasingly hot and dry conditions caused by global warming.

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Dominique Pélicot, 71, has admitted in court to repeatedly drugging and facilitating the rape of his wife Gisèle for nearly a decade. In a case that has shaken France, he confessed his role in the assaults, which involved fifty men who are also on trial. His wife, who divorced him following his arrest in 2020, has become a symbol of resilience for rape survivors in France for being willing to waive her anonymity in the case, and to appear openly in front of the media. Pélicot's confession is pivotal for the trial’s outcome, as many co-defendants claim they were unaware or manipulated into participating. He has said that childhood sexual abuse and family trauma led him down this path, and expressed regret for his actions. In contrast, Gisèle told the court she felt utterly betrayed after fifty years of marriage. The trial has drawn public attention to the horrors of domestic sexual violence and the importance of justice for victims.

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France, Germany, and the UK have introduced new sanctions on Iran for supplying ballistic missiles to Russia, which US secretary of state Antony Blinken said  will be used against Ukraine. The sanctions include restrictions on Iran Air and travel bans on military officials. UK foreign secretary David Lammy described Iran's actions as ‘a dangerous escalation’. Several individuals and organisations involved in the supply of the missiles face sanctions, and Russian cargo ships transporting these supplies have also been targeted. The Western nations have demanded that Iran halt its missile deliveries, citing security threats to Europe. Blinken and Lammy also flew to Ukraine to ‘hear directly from the leadership’ about their objectives. Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for authorisation to use Western-supplied missiles to strike targets inside Russia - a move the USA has so far resisted. Russia continues to make advances in eastern Ukraine.

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Thursday, 12 September 2024 20:38

Spain: plans to transform La Rambla

It is one of the most iconic boulevards in Europe, but in recent years Barcelona’s La Rambla has been plagued by souvenir shops, pickpockets, and prostitutes. The city plans to transform the street, aiming to reduce the effects of mass tourism and restore the street to local citizens. The ambitious plan, expected to be completed by 2027, includes reducing traffic, adding arts centres, and replacing souvenir shops with authentic local businesses. Planners hope to make La Rambla more attractive to both locals and tourists by offering a more genuine cultural experience. Activists argue that the street has become a tourist monoculture, losing its diversity and charm. The city council wishes to attract tourists with respectful behaviour, not just those with money. Changes include widening the central boulevard, improving street lighting, and adding three new squares.

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The ongoing migrant crisis has reshaped France’s northern coast, especially Boulogne. French rescue workers and officials are witnessing a tragic pattern of migrants fleeing death only to perish in dangerous Channel crossings. While both France and the UK condemn smuggling gangs, their responses differ. British authorities emphasise the criminality of smugglers, but French officials and citizens focus on the migrants’ motives, blaming the UK's loosely-regulated job market as a magnet for desperate people. The smugglers continue to adapt, launching boats from inland and resorting to violence. The French feel burdened by a crisis they see as Britain’s responsibility. Despite its significance, the issue gets less media coverage in France due to its own political challenges. Interior minister Gerald Darmanin continues to call for a new treaty between the UK and the EU; efforts against smugglers alone will not suffice to solve the issue.

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