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Starmer Urges Labour Unity in ‘Fight for the Soul of Britain’

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will call on his Labour Party to unite as he warns of a “fight for the soul of our country” amid growing pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Speaking at Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, his second since last year’s landslide win, Starmer is expected to stress that Britain stands at a crossroads between “decency or division, renewal or decline.”

Starmer faces a restive party, with critics uneasy over his stance on immigration and calls for more spending. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves cautioned against easing fiscal rules, leaving open the prospect of fresh tax rises despite assurances that last year’s record hikes were a one-off. The government is grappling with a forecast shortfall that could require tens of billions in additional revenue.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Starmer will insist that raising living standards and putting money in voters’ pockets remain central to Labour’s mission. “Our path of renewal is long, difficult, and not cost-free,” he will say, urging members to accept tough decisions as essential to rebuilding Britain after years of economic strain.

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EU to Set 2035 and 2040 Climate Targets Ahead of COP30 After Missing UN Deadline

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The European Union will announce new emissions-cutting targets for 2035 and 2040 ahead of the COP30 climate summit in November, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Tuesday. The bloc had missed the recent U.N. deadline to submit updated climate goals, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), while other major economies including China met the requirement.

Speaking via video at an EU event in Brussels, von der Leyen urged member states to balance ambition with pragmatism amid divisions over the goals. “The world has changed. Global competition is fierce and not always fair. We need more flexibility, more pragmatism, but by staying the course, we provide stability for workers, clarity for businesses, and certainty for investors,” she said, noting that Brussels was cutting red tape, investing in power grids, and working to ensure cheaper renewable energy for consumers.

However, internal disagreements and shifting priorities could delay agreement. Some EU countries, including France, Germany, and Poland, want leaders to debate the climate goals at a summit in late October, leaving only weeks to finalize targets before COP30 in Belem, Brazil. A senior Polish official admitted uncertainty, saying, “I don’t know whether we will be in time for Belem… it depends on many, many elements right now.”

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Sweden Deploys Radars and Anti-Drone Systems to Denmark Ahead of Key European Summits

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Sweden is sending radar equipment and military anti-drone systems to Denmark following a series of drone incursions that forced the closure of several Danish airports last week. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that “Counter-UAS” systems and radar units were being dispatched to bolster Denmark’s security ahead of the EU leaders’ summit on Wednesday and the European Political Community meeting on Thursday in Copenhagen.

The drone incidents disrupted operations at six airports, including Copenhagen Airport, the busiest in the Nordic region. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the attacks as a potential hybrid assault on the nation. In response, Denmark imposed a temporary ban on civilian drone flights and increased security around sensitive locations, including military facilities. NATO has also stepped up its Baltic Sea mission, and a German air defence frigate has been deployed to assist with airspace surveillance.

While Denmark has not publicly named a perpetrator, Frederiksen has indicated Russia as the primary threat to European security. The Kremlin has denied any involvement in the drone activities. Swedish support and international cooperation aim to ensure safe and secure proceedings for the upcoming high-profile European summits.

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Moldova’s Pro-EU Party Secures Landmark Victory Amid Russian Interference Concerns

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Moldova’s pro-European Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS), led by President Maia Sandu, claimed a decisive win in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, securing 50.2% of the vote against 24.2% for the Russian-leaning Patriotic Bloc. The result gives Sandu’s government a clear mandate to pursue Moldova’s long-term goal of EU membership by 2030, a move seen as a significant step away from Moscow’s influence in the small former Soviet republic. European leaders, including France, Germany, and Poland, congratulated Moldova on the peaceful conduct of the elections, while European Council President Antonio Costa praised voters for choosing “democracy, reform, and a European future.”

The elections were held under tense conditions, with widespread reports of Russian-backed disinformation campaigns, vote-buying attempts, and cyberattacks targeting election infrastructure. Sandu’s administration highlighted these efforts, noting fake bomb threats at polling stations and attacks on government websites. Russia denied meddling and instead accused the Moldovan government of manipulating the vote, with former President Igor Dodon calling for protests alleging election annulment, though no evidence was presented. Authorities warned of possible unrest in the coming days.

Moldova, a country of 2.4 million people, faces ongoing economic challenges including high inflation and energy costs, while attempting to meet the EU’s stringent membership requirements. Analysts see Sunday’s outcome as a strong endorsement of PAS’s European integration agenda but caution that bridging domestic divides and communicating the benefits of EU accession to sceptical Moldovans remain key challenges ahead.

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EA in Talks to Go Private in Record $50 Billion Buyout

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Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), the videogame publisher behind global franchises such as FC and Battlefield, is in advanced talks to go private in a deal valued at roughly $50 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The investor group reportedly includes Silver Lake, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, with an announcement expected as soon as next week. If finalized, the deal would mark the largest leveraged buyout in history.

The move comes as EA doubles down on its flagship sports and action shooter titles, including the upcoming Battlefield 6 and FC 26, to offset a slowdown in the gaming industry. Shares of EA jumped nearly 15% on Friday following reports of the potential buyout, underscoring strong market optimism around the publisher’s stable cash flows and predictable annual revenues.

For Saudi Arabia’s PIF, the investment aligns with its Vision 2030 strategy to diversify beyond oil and strengthen its foothold in global entertainment, particularly through gaming and esports. Analysts say EA’s globally recognized sports portfolio, led by its soccer franchise FC, represents a strategic cultural asset with mass international appeal.

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Belarus Proposes Nuclear Plant to Supply Power to Russian-Controlled Ukraine

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Belarus is considering the construction of a nuclear power plant in the eastern part of the country that could supply electricity to Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine, President Alexander Lukashenko announced on Friday. He presented the proposal during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.

“If a decision is made, we will immediately begin building a new power unit or a new station if there is a need in western Russia and in the liberated regions,” Lukashenko said, using Moscow’s term for Ukrainian territory under Russian occupation. Putin welcomed the idea, saying financing would not be an obstacle as long as there are consumers willing to pay for the electricity.

The proposal highlights the close partnership between the two leaders, with Belarus remaining a key ally of Moscow since the start of the Ukraine conflict. Lukashenko has allowed Russian troops to use Belarusian territory for military operations, and he continues to meet Putin more frequently than any other foreign leader, underscoring Minsk’s alignment with the Kremlin.

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Dockworkers Block Ports as Protests Over Gaza Flare Across Italy

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Striking dockworkers blocked access roads to major ports in Italy on Monday as unions staged a nationwide protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Demonstrators said they aimed to prevent Italy from serving as a transit hub for arms and supplies to Israel, which is at war with Hamas. The action disrupted schools, public transport, and regional train services, while thousands joined rallies in cities including Genoa, Livorno, Trieste, and Naples.

Violence broke out in Milan, where police in riot gear clashed with pro-Palestinian demonstrators near the central station, using tear gas to disperse crowds. In Naples, protesters forced their way into the main railway station and briefly occupied tracks, delaying trains. Meanwhile, dockside protests saw Palestinian flags waved at port entrances, with the Autonomous Port Workers’ Collective calling the action an act of solidarity with Palestinians.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government has stood firmly behind Israel and rejected recognition of a Palestinian state, unlike several other Western nations. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini downplayed the impact of the strikes, saying only a limited number of trains had been cancelled and accusing “far-left trade unionists” of trying to politicise the country’s workforce.

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Cyberattack Disrupts Check-In Systems at Major European Airports

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A cyberattack targeting a service provider responsible for check-in and boarding systems has disrupted operations at several major European airports, including London’s Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin. The attack has forced airports to rely on manual check-in and boarding procedures, leading to significant flight delays and cancellations. Brussels Airport confirmed that its automated systems were inoperable, causing widespread disruption for travelers.

Airport operators have urged passengers to check with airlines before traveling, as delays are expected to continue throughout Saturday. “This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights,” said Brussels Airport in a statement. Berlin Airport also highlighted extended waiting times, posting a banner on its website urging passengers to allow extra time due to the technical issue.

Heathrow Airport reported delays caused by a “technical issue” at a third-party supplier, while Frankfurt Airport stated it was not affected. Officials confirmed that the service provider is actively working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible, but travelers are being advised to anticipate disruptions and plan accordingly.

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Starmer Secures Record U.S. Investment as Trump Makes Historic UK Visit

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s high-risk gamble of extending Donald Trump an unprecedented second state visit appears to have paid off, with the former U.S. president announcing £150 billion ($203 billion) of corporate investment in the UK’s technology, finance, and energy sectors. The move provided Starmer with a much-needed political boost after weeks of domestic challenges and showcased his ability to manage a mercurial Trump without public fallout.

The centrepiece of the visit was a commitment from U.S. giants, including private equity firm Blackstone pledging £100 billion over the next decade and Microsoft announcing a £22 billion investment. Trump, determined to secure America’s lead in the global AI race against China, pushed for Britain to align closely with U.S. firms in developing AI infrastructure. “We’re committed to ensuring that the UK has a secure and reliable supply of the best AI, hardware and software on Earth,” Trump said during a joint press event.

While the deal was hailed as a landmark win for Britain’s economy, critics warned it risks leaving the UK dependent on U.S. technology and vulnerable to Trump’s unpredictable politics. Analysts argued that heavy reliance on U.S. infrastructure could undermine Britain’s leverage with both Washington and Brussels, its largest trading partner. Still, observers noted Starmer’s diplomatic finesse had won Britain favourable treatment from Trump compared to other countries, with the former president praising him: “I just want to thank you, Mr Prime Minister, for the great job I think you’re doing.”

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Mass Protests Erupt Across France Against Austerity Plans

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Hundreds of thousands of people across France took to the streets on Thursday in nationwide protests against looming austerity measures, demanding President Emmanuel Macron and his new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu scrap planned budget cuts. Teachers, train drivers, hospital staff, and pharmacists joined the strikes, while students blocked dozens of high schools, calling for more public spending and higher taxes on the wealthy.

Union leaders warned the government to heed the anger on the streets, with CGT chief Sophie Binet declaring, “It’s the streets that must decide the budget.” The Interior Ministry had anticipated up to 800,000 demonstrators, and major disruptions were reported in schools and regional train services. Sporadic clashes broke out in cities including Nantes and Lyon, where police used tear gas and several people were injured.

Macron’s administration faces mounting pressure between protesters demanding social fairness and investors alarmed by France’s deficit, which nearly doubled the EU’s ceiling last year. Lecornu, who replaced ousted prime minister François Bayrou after his failed €44 billion budget squeeze plan, has signaled openness to compromise but must navigate a divided parliament. Over 80,000 security personnel were deployed nationwide, with police confirming more than 90 arrests by evening.

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