Author: EU News

For the past week, tens of thousands of Georgians have been protesting against the country’s newly elected Moscow-friendly government and there’s end in sight. DW takes a closer look at the situation. Every evening since November 28, 2024, has seen massive protests in Georgia. Citizens are enraged by the new government’s plan to pause EU accession talks. It hasn’t always been peaceful: protesters have pelted police with objects and shot fireworks at them; the police, in turn, have used tear gas and water cannons against protesters. While nationalist Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of ruling party Georgian Dream accuses the opposition…

On 22 November, the Hindu community of Belgium celebrated the first legal step to the recognition of Hinduism by the Belgian Government and Parliament with their decision last year to grant a subsidy to the Hindu Forum Belgium, the official interlocutor of the Belgian State. This platform for all Vedic spiritual traditions will coordinate cooperation among various Hindu/Vedic communities and organisations in Belgium towards full recognition.  “Recognition is more than just a legal formality or access to government benefits; it is a moral acknowledgment of the positive contributions that Hindu communities make to Belgian society,” said in his introduction to the event, Martin…

France is once again without a government: Michel Barnier fails as prime minister after just three months. The left-wing coalition’s no-confidence vote received crucial support from right-wing populists and conservative defectors. President Macron is coming under increasing pressure. Vote of no confidence: France without a government – ​​the rapid fall of Michel Barnier

Amnesty evaluated 15 Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip. And no evidence was found that they were directed against military targets. For human rights activists, this only allows one conclusion. In a new report, the human rights organization Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. “Our research shows that the State of Israel has committed genocide for months and continues to do so,” said the Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany, Julia Duchrow, on Thursday. This was done “in the full knowledge” that the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip “have been inflicted irreparable harm.” The…

France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier faces a vote of no confidence this afternoon which could bring down his minority government.

“Perhaps, if one is permitted to draw a lesson at such a dramatic moment, his excess of programmatic Europeanism, coupled with a lack of pragmatic Europeanism, has ultimately turned against him. If he had succeeded in realising at least some of the projects he announced, if he had really dared to share with his allies the military and nuclear supremacy he wields in Europe, France and Europe themselves would not be reduced to this pitiful state today.”

“Interest rates would rise. The financial markets are worried about France. They don’t know which way our country is headed. … France’s attractiveness would decline. In recent years, since 2015, France has become more attractive to foreign investors. … But since the dissolution of parliament, investors have been asking themselves: should they invest elsewhere? Should they wait and see if France remains hospitable? Some projects have already been cancelled, others have been scaled back or postponed. The fall of the Barnier government would only fuel this spiral of mistrust.”

“The appointment of a new prime minister and a new government would significantly curb Marine Le Pen’s party’s influence. Right now, everyone realises that the future of the government lies in her hands, since it can only stay in power thanks to her goodwill. She is playing this card well by raising the stakes. If a new government is appointed in the near future, whether on a joint (undoubtedly more left-wing) basis or as a ‘technical’ government, her influence would be severely limited, if not reduced to zero.”

“Rather, the entire political elite must ask itself whether it has grasped the seriousness of the situation. France is sitting on Europe’s highest mountain of debt and needs to make cutbacks in order to preserve some budgetary leeway and not gamble away the dented confidence of rating agencies and bond markets. There has been no shortage of warning shots. And one thing is also clear: in the coming months, France’s ability to act will be even more limited than it already is. This is bad news for Europe, which should actually be worrying about other things in view of the geopolitical challenges.”

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) highlights in its World Economic Outlook report, published this Wednesday, that consumption is going to be the main driver of the Spanish economy this year and next. For this reason, they have revised upwards the growth of our country for this year to 3% and places that of 2025 at 2.3%. In 2026 it remains at 2%. The OECD points to consumption as a factor that will raise Spain’s growth this year to 3%

Ukraine pushes for NATO membership Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now proposed allowing those parts of Ukraine that are free to join the alliance. Russian-occupied areas in Eastern Ukraine as well as the illegally annexed Crimean peninsula (comprising some 27% of Ukraine), he said, would be excluded from joining for now. Zelenskyy hopes the move will thwart any further Russian advances, making negotiations for a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin possible.  

South Korea is being held in suspense by turbulent developments. First President Yoon calls for martial law, then he withdraws it a few hours later. There are growing calls for his resignation. The opposition is planning to impeach the president.

Are you just dragging your feet at work – but there’s still so much to do? Welcome to the club! We could make the end of the year more relaxed with less pressure and more anticipation. Christmas stress at work: How to get through the end of the year safely

  Article 5 is the cornerstone of the NATO military alliance. It calls on all members to assist any other NATO countries under attack. Exactly how a member decides to aid allies, however, is up to them. Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion outgoing US President Joe Biden has repeatedly vowed, “We will defend every inch of Ukraine.” Now Kyiv would like to slip under that umbrella of protection permanently. NATO has repeatedly said that this will be the case, without, however, setting a date. At some point, some observers think, Ukraine should be rewarded with NATO membership for its years-long defensive battle…

Le Monde Front Page 4/12/2024 The front page of Le Monde leads on French political news.  Michel Barnier activated article 49.3 on Monday to try to pass the Social Security budget to the National Assembly  Two motions of censure were tabled immediately by the left and the far right  Marine Le Pen indicated that his troops will vote for that of the New Popular Front, which would have the effect of bringing down the government The Prime Minister tried until the end to negotiate, publishing, on Monday, a press release announcing a concession to Marine Le Pen on drug reimbursement,…

Die Welt front page 4/12/2024 The front page of Die Welt this morning leads with reports there are 200,000 migrants in Germany that are required to leave.  There are well over 200,000 migrants living in Germany who are required to leave the country. The traffic light coalition wants to give some of them a new chance and has been issuing them with probationary residence permits for two years. How many migrants benefit from this? And how many make the leap to regular residency? The German leading index jumps over the magic mark of 20,000 points for the first time -…

El Pais Front Page 4/12/2024The front page of the Spanish newspaper El Pais leads with the chaos in South Korea following the president’s decision to declare martial law. South Korea has been tense for hours after its president, Yoon Suk-yeol, declared martial law after accusing the opposition of controlling parliament and sympathising with North Korea.The investigating magistrate Ángel Luis Hurtado, who also summons eight journalists to testify, makes the decision at the request of Álvaro García Ortiz.

Ex-boyfriend sentenced to life in prison in Italian femicide case Ex-boyfriend sentenced to life in prison in Italian femicide case

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling SWAPO party won Namibia’s presidential elections outright in the first round with 57% of the vote, results published by the electoral commission on Tuesday showed.  Clearing half the total votes cast meant no second-round runoff was necessary. 

Martial law was declared and lifted in South Korea in just six hours. President Yoon justified the drastic step with the opposition’s proximity to the hostile north. However, there is more to the truth. Martial law declared and lifted again: What’s behind the political rollercoaster?

I have had a lump on my lip since an accident when I was a toddler. Many people don’t even notice it – not even those who kiss me. But I know it is there and where it comes from. Extra HEALTH & FITNESS: Every scar tells a story

Leverkusen won the top game in the round of 16 of the DFB Cup. The defending champion won at FC Bayern. The Munich team had to do without the injured Harry Kane and also lost Manuel Neuer to an early dismissal.After goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s bitter red debut, defending champions Bayer Leverkusen shot FC Bayern out of the DFB Cup. The Munich team, who dominated a poisonous round of 16 battle when they were outnumbered for a long time, suffered the most serious defeat in coach Vincent Kompany’s young term in office with a 0-1 (0-0). For the fifth time in…

Pete Hegseth will soon head the Pentagon. But doubts about the TV presenter’s suitability are growing louder. Now Donald Trump may have found an alternative – an old acquaintance. A high-profile personnel decision recently blew up in Donald Trump’s face. Even many loyal party soldiers could not imagine Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. The US President-elect quickly gave in . Now the next case of this kind is looming. Pete Hegseth is still officially slated to be Secretary of Defense in the new Trump cabinet. But doubts about the 44-year-old’s suitability are now so loud that there are initial reports…

President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers on Tuesday formally urged a New York state judge to drop the criminal case where he was convicted on 34 counts related to hush money paid to a former pornographic film actress in May this year. 

Christian Lindner between crisis and hope: While the D-Day affair puts him under pressure, he appeals for more risk-taking and innovation in Germany at the start-up scene awards – and also gives an insight into his inner life. These are turbulent days for Christian Lindner. First the traffic light coalition fell apart, now he is under increasing pressure in the wake of the D-Day affair. He is now even confronted with calls from within his own ranks to resign as FDP chairman. A visit to the Axel Springer high-rise in Berlin on Tuesday evening was probably a welcome change for…