Five European countries accused Russia of “poisoning” opposition leader Alexei Navalny using a rare toxin found in South American dart frogs, according to a joint statement issued Saturday. A leading critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Navalny died in an Arctic penal colony in February 2024.
Continue ReadingUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to address the Munich Security Conference on Saturday at a time of strained ties between Europe and the United States, a day after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opened the annual gathering with a plea to “repair and revive transatlantic trust together”. Follow our live blog for the latest developments.
Continue ReadingUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio sought to assuage European leaders’ worries about fraying ties with Washington as he addressed the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, telling the annual gathering that Europe and the US “belong together” and that Washington wants to “revitalise” the transatlantic alliance.
Continue ReadingFrench President Emmanuel Macron on Friday told the Munich Security Conference that it is time for Europe to become a geopolitical power that can provide its own security by rearticulating its nuclear deterrent in the face of an aggressive Russia. “Everyone should take their cue from us,” he said.
Continue ReadingIn an interview with FRANCE 24, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev declared that “peace is achieved” with Armenia following an August White House summit. “For me, it is done,” he said. Aliyev however firmly refused to grant clemency to imprisoned Nagorno-Karabakh separatist leaders, an issue that was raised during a meeting he had this week with […]
Continue ReadingFriedrich Merz urged the United States and Europe to rebuild trust as global tensions grow, arguing that neither side can face today’s challenges alone. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, alongside Marco Rubio, he called for a renewed transatlantic partnership after a year of strained relations. Those tensions were fuelled by moves from Donald Trump, […]
Continue ReadingLeaders are gathering at the Munich Security Conference as transatlantic relations remain under close scrutiny. This year, the United States is represented by Marco Rubio, whose early remarks suggest a more conciliatory and cooperative tone toward European allies. That contrasts with the impact of last year’s speech by JD Vance, which strongly criticised EU policies […]
Continue ReadingVisitors have begun entering the restored Villa Poppaea, a luxury Roman residence near Pompeii, where new frescoes and artworks are being uncovered after centuries buried by the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The villa, once home to Poppaea Sabina, wife of Nero, is revealing vivid decorations, including a peacock fresco linked to the Roman […]
Continue ReadingThe UK government’s decision last July to ban the protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful, Britain’s High Court ruled Friday. British police have arrested more than 2,000 peaceful protesters for holding signs declaring their support for the proscribed group.
Continue ReadingA major security forum is underway at the Munich Security Conference, at a time of high stakes as the European Union seeks to take a more assertive role amid shifting global alliances and tensions with the United States. Marco Rubio is leading a large US delegation to the gathering, signalling Washington’s continued engagement while debates […]
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