Europe

Jailed Kremlin critic Navalny calls on Russians to take to the streets

Jailed Kremlin critic and opposition figure Alexei Navalny today called on Russians to engage in daily protests against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. “We cannot wait even a day longer”, he said in a Twitter statement published by his spokesperson. “Wherever you are. In Russia,

Europe

Germany plans to wean itself off Russian energy

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced plans to wean Germany off its dependence on Russian energy and to reshape its future energy mix, having pledged earlier at an extraordinary session of the lower house of parliament on Sunday that “we will change course to overcome our import dependence“, France24 reports. Germany has relied on Russia to cover most of […]

Europe

Experts respond to Consultation Committee: ‘Hopefully it was the last’

The various organisations of the country decided on Friday to switch to code yellow from the corona barometer. This means that almost all restrictions will be lifted: face masks must only be worn in healthcare institutions and on public transport. Rules around the Passenger Locator Form are being relaxed. Was this the last Consultation Committee? […]

Europe

Relief goods for Ukraine flow into Hall 11 of Brussels Expo

Last week it was very busy at the embassy of Ukraine in Uccle. Every day dozens of people came to bring things to help the people in Ukraine, hit by an invasion of neighbouring Russia. The solidarity is so great that the embassy appeared far too small. That is why the Belgian authorities were asked […]

Europe

‘A very serious situation’: Ukraine minister says country expects the worst but its army is ready

The helicopter gunship had been destroyed inside the supposedly secure Kramatorsk airport, a major coup for the separatist militants in the bitter conflict which was to dismember Ukraine, and threatens now to erupt again with devastating consequences. In the aftermath of the attack on that day eight years ago, Colonel Yulia Laputina organised defences at the base with a

Europe

Half of France’s primary schools expected to close as teachers strike

France faces one of its biggest education strikes in decades on Thursday, when about 75% of teachers are expected to walk out, forcing the closure of half the country’s primary schools in protest at the government’s handling of Covid-19 measures in the education sector. President Emmanuel Macron this week restated the government view that one of France’s […]

Europe

Girl dies and eight hurt after wind blows bouncy castle into air in Spain

An eight-year-old girl has died and eight children have been injured after wind gusts lifted a bouncy castle metres into the air at a fair in eastern Spain. Emergency services were called to the fairgrounds in Mislata, a municipality on the outskirts of Valencia, on Tuesday evening. Minutes earlier, horrified witnesses had watched as the fair’s […]

Europe

Emily in Paris: Ukraine complains over Kiev character stereotype

bbc– Ukraine’s culture minister says he has complained to Netflix over the portrayal of a character from Kiev in Emily in Paris. The Netflix show follows a young American, played by Lily Collins, who travels to the French capital for work. In the latest series, Petra, a Ukrainian, shoplifts during a trip with main character […]

Europe

Climate change: Lapland reindeer gone astray in search for food

bbc– Herders in Lapland are struggling to locate thousands of reindeer that have run away after warm weather left the food they graze on covered by a layer of ice. Some reindeer have travelled as far as 100km to the south, in search of ice-free lichen they can access under the snow. Herders are having […]

Europe

UK troops will not be deployed to Ukraine to defend against Russia

bbc– Britain and its allies are “highly unlikely” to send troops to defend Ukraine if Russia invades the country, the UK’s defence secretary has said. “We shouldn’t kid people we would,” Ben Wallace told the Spectator magazine. “The Ukrainians are aware of that.” Russia has moved thousands of troops near Ukraine’s