Browsing: featured-eu

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s National Rally, is poised to challenge the European Commission’s authority if elected president. She advocates capping France’s EU budget contributions at €5 billion and proposes a carbon border tax, while pledging to halt funding for Ukraine and push for sanctions relief for Russia.

Natacha Polony, a journalist and essayist, has announced her candidacy for the 2027 French presidential election, aiming to overhaul the political landscape. Advocating for economic sovereignty, she launched the movement “Nous sommes la France,” claiming 60,000 supporters concerned about France’s standing and decline.

A Russian ballistic missile hit Kyiv’s CHP-4 power plant, prompting President Zelensky to criticise Western allies for not providing advance warning. This strike occurred despite former President Trump’s assertion that an energy ceasefire was in effect.

Protesters clashed with riot police near the Place Vauban, adjacent to Les Invalides in Paris’s 7th arrondissement. Video footage circulated on social media capturing the confrontation, highlighting escalating tensions during the demonstration.

Russian ballistic missiles struck Kyiv on Monday night, with no advance air-raid warning provided to residents. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasised the critical need for timely intelligence to save civilian lives, amid speculation regarding potential US intelligence-sharing cuts, which both Ukrainian and European officials have disputed.

US President Donald Trump claimed an energy ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is in effect, contrary to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s report of Russian attacks on energy sites. This follows a recent drone strike in Kyiv that killed one individual and injured five others.

Ceuta prominently featured in Spain’s National Day parade, despite no soldiers from the autonomous city participating due to ongoing tensions after a July migrant crisis. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia will visit Ceuta on Tuesday following the parade, which showcased new military technology and saw Prime Minister Sánchez face public discontent.

Ukraine’s parliament approved a law enhancing minority rights, aimed at improving relations with Hungary and facilitating EU accession talks. The legislation, endorsed by 266 deputies, strengthens protections for minority languages, particularly benefiting the 100,000 ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia. Diplomats anticipate further progress in negotiations with Hungary.

French MEP Raphaël Glucksmann has secured 66.17% in the primary for the French social-democratic camp, decisively defeating Olivier Faure and Ségolène Royal. Turnout reached 86%, despite delays caused by a cyberattack. Glucksmann aims to unite the left for future presidential elections.

On 11 October, the Russian army struck two residential blocks in Sloviansk, Donetsk, injuring four people, as confirmed by Mayor Vadym Liakh. Simultaneously, a Russian drone attack on an ambulance in Sumy injured medical personnel, while emergency power cuts were enforced across several Ukrainian regions due to ongoing energy sector issues.