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Pope meets Jimmy Fallon and 105 other comics at Vatican

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Pope Francis recently met with over 100 comedians from around the world, including notable figures like Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, and Whoopi Goldberg, at the Vatican in Rome. The Pope highlighted the unique ability of comedians to “spread serenity and smiles” in a world filled with “many social and personal emergencies.” He emphasized that laughter is contagious and unites people.

During the event, held just hours before the Pope’s expected arrival in Puglia for the G7 summit, he praised the comedians’ talent for making people laugh. He noted that it’s possible to joke about God without offending religious sentiments, stating, “You can also laugh at God, of course, and that’s not blasphemy.”

According to US media reports, Jimmy Fallon entertained the crowd before the event began but was quickly asked to sit as the Pope was about to enter. Other notable attendees included Chris Rock, Silvio Orlando from Italy, British comedian Stephen Merchant, Whoopi Goldberg, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

This cultural gathering marked a prelude to the Pope’s participation in the G7 summit, a first for the leader of the Catholic Church. At the summit, the 87-year-old pontiff plans to call for global regulation of AI, citing its potential threats to ethics and human rights.

In his address to the comedians, Pope Francis acknowledged the current global climate of conflict-laden communication and commended the comedians for their ability to bridge diverse realities. “How much we need to learn from you,” he remarked. After the audience, the Pope briefly interacted with each comedian, though some conversations were hampered by language barriers. Conan O’Brien humorously noted that his interaction was brief and in Italian, leaving him unsure of what was said but still enjoying the experience.

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G7 to Use Frozen Russian Assets for $50 Billion Ukraine Loan

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The G7 has agreed to utilize frozen Russian assets to raise $50 billion (£39 billion) for Ukraine to aid in its defense against Russian forces. President Joe Biden emphasized this decision as a signal to Russia that the support for Ukraine remains steadfast. However, Moscow has warned of “extremely painful” retaliatory actions. The funds, anticipated to be available by the end of the year, are intended to support Ukraine’s war effort and economic stability in the long term.

At the G7 summit in Italy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Biden signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement between the US and Ukraine, which Ukraine hailed as “historic.” This agreement involves US military and training aid but does not commit US troops to combat. It aims to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, support its defense industry, and aid in economic and energy recovery. It also stipulates consultations at the highest levels in case of future Russian attacks on Ukraine to decide necessary support measures.

Separately, about $325 billion in Russian assets were frozen by the G7 and the EU following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These assets generate approximately $3 billion annually in interest. The G7 plan involves using this interest to cover the annual interest on a $50 billion loan for Ukraine, sourced from international markets.

President Biden, at the summit in Puglia, Italy, reiterated that the $50 billion loan would support Ukraine and send a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the continued support from the US and other allies, calling the security deal with the US the strongest since Ukraine’s independence in 1991. Other G7 leaders, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, praised the loan deal as transformative.

The $50 billion loan compares significantly with the $61 billion in US military aid agreed upon in May. A senior White House official noted the loan would support various needs, including military, budget, humanitarian, and reconstruction efforts. While the frozen funds’ interest is seen as a symbolic victory for Ukraine, some in Kyiv had hoped for the release of the entire $300 billion frozen fund. However, the European Central Bank opposed this, citing risks to international order.

The funds from the loan will not immediately impact the war, as they are expected later in the year. Ukraine continues to seek more immediate military aid, such as air defense systems and F-16 fighter jets, which could start arriving in the summer. Zelensky mentioned that the new security agreement includes US shipments of these aircraft.

The loan arrangement symbolizes a significant move where Russia’s frozen assets are repurposed to support Ukraine’s defense. Although this marks a turning point, it is unlikely to change Russia’s stance on the war. Most of the frozen Russian central bank assets are in Belgium, and international law prevents their direct confiscation for Ukraine’s benefit. Russia has condemned the West’s actions as criminal and has hinted at severe retaliatory measures. European investors have around €33 billion stuck in Russia, complicating the situation further.

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Italy’s Meloni basks in G7 limelight with Western leaders

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Two contrasting accommodation options were presented for the G7 summit in Puglia, Italy: the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort, known for hosting celebrities like Madonna and the Beckhams, and a deteriorating ship moored off Brindisi for the 2,600 police officers, criticized for its appalling conditions. The resort houses world leaders, while the ship, costing the Italian government €6m and now under fraud investigation, exemplifies the disparity in treatment.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, buoyed by her party’s success in the European elections, hosts the summit, highlighting Italy’s newfound political stability compared to other G7 nations facing political turmoil. Meloni’s government is portrayed as the strongest amidst leaders like Biden, Sunak, and Trudeau, who are struggling domestically.

Low expectations surround the summit due to the precarious political climate in many G7 countries. However, a significant plan to loan Ukraine $50bn from frozen Russian assets is anticipated. Additionally, Sunak will announce substantial support for Ukraine’s energy and humanitarian needs.

Sessions will address the climate crisis, investment in Africa, the Middle East ceasefire, and AI regulation, with Pope Francis attending for the first time. Efforts to broaden global consensus include inviting leaders from Brazil, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria. Locals in Puglia, like ice-cream maker Vincenzo Iannacone, express pride and excitement for the summit, hoping it brings positive attention to their region.

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Swiss Women’s Climate Victory at European Court

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Swiss women who won a landmark climate change ruling at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) are feeling shocked and betrayed by their parliament’s refusal to comply with the decision. These women, referred to as the “climate seniors,” had previously argued in Strasbourg, France, that the Swiss government’s inadequate response to climate change, particularly extreme heat events linked to global warming, was harming their right to health and life.

In April, the court sided with them and mandated Switzerland, which has yet to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, to take more action. The court’s rulings are binding for member states, making this decision unprecedented. Climate activists had hoped it would set a precedent for using human rights law to protect citizens from health harms caused by worsening environmental conditions.

However, on Wednesday, the Swiss parliament voted against adhering to the ECHR’s ruling, claiming Switzerland already had an effective climate strategy in place. The parliamentary debate was emotionally charged, with right-wing politicians criticizing what they saw as overreach by “foreign judges,” while Green Party members condemned the discussion as “shameful” and “populist.”

Despite Switzerland’s struggles to meet its Paris Climate Agreement goals, which aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, opinion polls show many Swiss are concerned about climate change. The Alpine region is particularly vulnerable, with studies indicating that its glaciers, crucial to Europe’s water supply, could vanish by the century’s end if temperatures continue to rise.

The Swiss value their direct democracy system and prefer making decisions themselves, which explains why the “foreign judges” argument resonates with them. Recently, voters supported government proposals to increase renewable electricity production, though environmental groups argue these measures are insufficient to meet climate goals. Polls show a majority of Swiss voters oppose the ECHR’s involvement, believing the country is already doing enough to protect the environment.

Other nations, particularly the United Kingdom, are closely watching Switzerland’s rejection of the ECHR ruling. The UK government has faced pushback from the Strasbourg court over its plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, leading some British voters to suggest leaving the court. However, such a move is unlikely in Switzerland, at least for now.

The final decision on whether to comply with the ECHR’s climate ruling rests with the Swiss government, which will announce its verdict in August. The ECHR did not specify what Switzerland must do, only that it must take more action. In a typical Swiss compromise, the government might present a list of measures taken since the climate seniors began their case, hoping for acceptance. If not, the climate seniors may return to court.

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Tiger mosquitoes behind dengue fever rise in Europe

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An invasive species of mosquito has established itself in 13 EU countries, including France, Spain, and Greece, leading to a rise in dengue fever cases in Europe. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) attributes this spread to climate change, which has created favorable conditions for the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus). This species, considered the most invasive mosquito globally, is now spreading northwards, even reaching Paris, where authorities are actively monitoring and trapping the insects ahead of the Olympic Games in July.

The ECDC warns that international travel will likely increase the risk of further outbreaks in Europe. To mitigate this, it advises people to remove stagnant water from gardens and balconies, use insect repellent, and install screens on windows and doors. The tiger mosquito, which transmits diseases like dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus, has become prevalent in countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, and Spain, and has been reported in Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Slovakia.

Another mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, which spreads yellow fever, has been found in Cyprus and poses a significant threat to other parts of Europe due to its preference for biting humans and its disease transmission capabilities. Dengue fever, which can escalate from flu-like symptoms to severe, sometimes fatal conditions, has seen increasing outbreaks in Europe. Last year, multiple infections were recorded in France, Italy, and Spain, with a total of 130 locally-acquired cases, up from 71 the previous year.

The West Nile virus, also transmitted by mosquitoes, is now more widespread in Europe, with a case reported in southern Spain as early as March, indicating that climate conditions are becoming suitable for mosquitoes much earlier in the year. ECDC Director Andrea Ammon emphasizes the need for personal protective measures, early case detection, timely surveillance, further research, and awareness-raising activities in high-risk areas. With dengue fever endemic in over 100 countries and malaria posing the deadliest mosquito-borne threat, concerns are growing about potential increases in malaria incidents in Europe if conditions remain favorable.

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French Music Icon Françoise Hardy Dies at 80

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Françoise Hardy, one of France’s most beloved singer-songwriters, has died at the age of 80. Her son, Thomas Dutronc, also a musician, confirmed her passing on social media, stating, “Mum is gone.”

Hardy emerged onto the music scene in 1962, becoming a cultural icon who influenced artists like Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan. Renowned for her melancholic ballads, she epitomized France’s Yé-yé pop movement, which was influenced by English music. Some of her most famous songs include “Tous les garçons et les filles” (“All the Boys and Girls”), “Comment te dire adieu” (“It Hurts to Say Goodbye”), and “Mon amie la rose” (“My Friend the Rose”). Her biggest hit in the UK was “All Over The World,” the English version of “Dans le monde entier,” reaching number 16 in June 1965.

Born in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1944 and raised by her mother, Hardy was inspired by Elvis Presley and Cliff Richard, among others, listening to them on Radio Luxembourg. She signed her first record deal at 17 and had her breakthrough in 1962 with “Tous les garçons et les filles,” a hit in both France and the UK.

Her style caught the attention of fashion designers, leading her to model for Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne, who created a famous gold plate dress for her. Mick Jagger once described her as the “ideal woman,” and Bob Dylan wrote several love letters to her, even addressing her in a poem on his 1964 album “Another Side of Bob Dylan.”

One of Hardy’s notable performances was in 1968 with “Comment te dire adieu,” a French adaptation by Serge Gainsbourg of an English song. The song, about a painful goodbye to a man with a “heart of pyrex,” has been covered numerous times. Throughout her career, she collaborated with artists like Blur and Iggy Pop.

Besides her music career, Hardy was an actress in films by directors like Jean-Luc Godard, Roger Vadim, and John Frankenheimer, and she was also a writer of both fiction and non-fiction, with a particular interest in astrology from the 1970s.

Hardy was married to singer Jacques Dutronc, with whom she had her son, Thomas. Although they separated in the late 1980s, she often referred to Dutronc as the love of her life. Diagnosed with lymphoma in 2004, Hardy’s health declined over the years. In 2015, she was in an induced coma for weeks following a fall, and in 2021, she revealed she had cancer in one of her ears and felt “close to the end.”

Her career spanned over five decades, with nearly 30 albums released. Her final album, “Personne D’Autre” (“Nobody Else”), came out in 2018. Rolling Stone ranked her number 162 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time in 2023. Following her death, France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, paid tribute, calling her an “eternal legend of French song” who touched the heart of an entire nation.

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Cypriot YouTuber Fidias Elected as Independent MEP

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A popular YouTuber from Cyprus, Fidias Panayiotou, has been elected as an independent Member of the European Parliament (MEP). Known for his unconventional online antics, including attempting to hug 100 celebrities and spending a week in a coffin, the 24-year-old Panayiotou has over 2.6 million subscribers on YouTube. Despite having no prior political experience, he secured 19.4% of the vote, the third-largest share.

Mr. Panayiotou expressed his surprise at the election outcome, calling it a “miracle,” and emphasized that political parties need to modernize and listen to the people. Last year, he faced backlash in Japan for a video where he dodged train fares and a hotel bill by hiding in toilets and pretending to be ill, which amassed millions of views.

Celebrating his win at Eleftheria Square in Nicosia, Panayiotou declared that they were making history both in Cyprus and internationally. Initially, he ran for election to inspire youth engagement in politics, despite his own admission of limited political knowledge and never having voted before. His candidacy significantly boosted voter turnout in Cyprus, rising to nearly 59% from 45% in the 2019 elections, partly attributed to what analysts dubbed the “Fidias factor.”

Exit poll analysis by Philenews revealed that Panayiotou garnered 40% of the votes from the 18-24 age group and 28% from the 25-34 age group. The six Cypriot MEPs elected included representatives from the conservative DISY (25%), the communist party AKEL (22%), the ultranationalist ELAM (11%), and the centrist party Diko (10%).

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Germany: Far-right celebrate beating Scholz’s party

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Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), expressed on Monday that there is a growing demand for a vote of confidence and new elections, stating that the public is frustrated. The AfD is celebrating their unexpected success in the European Parliament elections, where they secured 16%, surpassing Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centre-left SPD.

Despite facing numerous scandals, including allegations of money laundering, connections to the Kremlin, and espionage for China, the AfD’s campaign managed to perform well. Their two lead candidates, Maximilian Krah and Petr Bystron, were sidelined due to investigations into these allegations, with Krah further tarnishing the party’s image by downplaying Nazi crimes. Consequently, France’s hard-right leader Marine Le Pen distanced herself from the AfD.

In an effort to rehabilitate the party’s image, Weidel has excluded Krah from the AfD’s EU delegation. The party attributes the scandals to a “media campaign” and criticizes the judiciary and intelligence services for being politically biased. This narrative of victimization seems to have resonated with voters.

The AfD’s effective use of social media and direct slogans contrasted with the government’s more abstract campaign messaging about “defending democracy.” Co-leader Tino Chrupalla emphasized addressing real issues over engaging in mutual insults, which appeared to appeal to the electorate, especially in eastern Germany and among younger voters.

Meanwhile, the governing coalition is grappling with the poor election results, described as a “painful humiliation” by an SPD leader. Although the conservatives led with 30%, their performance was not seen as particularly strong given the government’s unpopularity. In eastern Germany, the AfD outperformed them, and the results complicate the formation of a stable coalition in the national parliament.

This outcome bolsters CDU leader Friedrich Merz’s efforts to steer his party towards a more conservative stance and supports his ambition to become Germany’s next chancellor. However, the real beneficiaries of the election are the populists.

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Attack on Danish PM not politically motivated, police say

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Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has reported feeling “shaken” but otherwise “fine” following an attack in Copenhagen’s old town. On Friday evening, a man approached her and struck her, causing minor whiplash. The 39-year-old Polish suspect, who was detained and charged with violence against a public official, has pleaded not guilty. Police, who suspect the man was under the influence of alcohol and drugs, do not believe the attack was politically motivated.

After the incident, Frederiksen was taken to a hospital for a check-up, and her Saturday schedule was canceled. She expressed gratitude for the support she received via an Instagram post, where she mentioned her need for rest and time with her family.

European leaders condemned the attack, with EU chief Charles Michel expressing outrage and French President Emmanuel Macron calling it “unacceptable.” The incident occurred just two days before the European elections, in which Denmark is participating.

Frederiksen, 46, is the leader of Denmark’s Social Democrats and became the country’s youngest prime minister in 2019.

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Macron Calls Snap Election After Far-Right EU Defeat

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France’s President Emmanuel Macron has called a snap parliamentary election after a significant defeat by the far-right National Rally party, led by Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella, in the European elections. This unexpected move came as exit polls indicated that the National Rally secured over 30% of the vote, double that of Macron’s centrist Renaissance party. While France’s far-right victory was notable, the broader European election narrative saw the centre-right parties strengthening their hold on the EU Parliament, achieving successes in countries like Germany, Greece, Poland, and Spain.

Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission and a prominent figure in the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), highlighted that despite gains by both far-left and far-right factions, the centre-right remained a stabilizing force. Von der Leyen reaffirmed the EPP’s commitment to alliances only with the Socialists & Democrats and the liberal Renew group, excluding any collaboration with far-right groups.

Germany’s elections saw the conservative CDU come out on top, whereas Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD experienced its worst-ever European election result, finishing behind the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). In Italy, Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy continued their dominance, while in Austria, the Freedom Party was poised for an unprecedented victory in the European vote.

Elsewhere, Hungary witnessed a new challenge to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s dominance with the rise of Peter Magyar’s centre-right Tisza party. Spain’s centre-right Popular Party narrowly defeated the Socialists, while far-right Vox came in third. In Denmark, the opposition Green-Left party achieved a surprise victory, and in Slovakia, the liberal Progressive Slovakia party triumphed over the ruling Smer party.

Overall, while the far-right made notable gains in specific countries, particularly France, their surge was less pronounced across Europe than anticipated. The centre-right’s consolidation of power, however, underscores a continuing preference for more moderate political forces in the EU.

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