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EU Leaders to Boost Defence, Competitiveness Amid U.S. Trade Tensions

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European Union leaders are set to strengthen the bloc’s military and economic competitiveness in response to U.S. tariffs and concerns over Washington’s future defence commitments. At a summit on Thursday, all leaders except Hungary’s Viktor Orban are expected to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and call on Russia to demonstrate political will to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will address the summit via video link, as EU leaders pledge continued financial and military backing for Kyiv.

The leaders will discuss proposals to enhance military spending, promote joint defence projects, and increase the purchase of European-made arms. France strongly supports a buy-European approach, though some officials warn against excluding non-EU suppliers from the interconnected global defence industry. The summit will also focus on ensuring the EU remains competitive in the global tech race, tackling regulatory burdens, and advancing financial market integration.

While not officially on the agenda, recent U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium are expected to feature in discussions, given the escalating trade tensions. The EU retaliated against the tariffs, prompting former U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten heavy duties on European wine and spirits, with additional measures possibly coming in April. Leaders remain divided on certain economic policies, including financial market supervision, but are committed to progress despite ongoing challenges.

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Putin and Trump Discuss Ceasefire, Agree to Halt Attacks on Energy Sites

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure following a lengthy call with U.S. President Donald Trump. However, Putin declined to endorse a full 30-day ceasefire that Ukraine had already accepted. The Kremlin stated that the pause in strikes was ordered after discussions with Trump, though Putin expressed concerns that Ukraine could use the time to rearm.

The White House announced that further negotiations, including talks on a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a broader peace deal, would begin in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, suggested that reaching a complete ceasefire was within reach, though experts noted that Russia had made minimal concessions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticized Putin’s refusal to agree to a full ceasefire, warning against attempts to prolong the war.

The discussion between Trump and Putin comes as Russian forces continue their advance in eastern Ukraine. The limited ceasefire has raised concerns among European allies, who worry that Trump’s approach signals a shift in U.S. policy toward normalizing relations with Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine insists that any peace talks must include European leaders and maintain Ukraine’s sovereignty without territorial concessions.

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UK Labour Government Plans Welfare Cuts to Curb Spending

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Britain’s Labour government is set to announce significant cuts to disability and long-term health support on Tuesday, aiming to reduce the country’s rising welfare bill. The move comes ahead of the March 26 fiscal statement, where the government will outline its strategy to balance public spending with tax revenues amid lower-than-expected economic growth. With the welfare budget projected to exceed £100 billion ($129 billion) by 2030, ministers are focusing on reducing costs while encouraging more people back into work.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves defended the decision, stating that the current benefits system is failing both recipients and taxpayers. “People are often trapped on benefits rather than getting the support they need to return to work,” she told Reuters. However, the proposed £6 billion ($7.79 billion) in cuts has sparked concerns among some Labour lawmakers, given the party’s sweeping election victory on promises of economic renewal. The government maintains that these measures are necessary to ensure fiscal responsibility without resorting to past austerity policies.

The announcement follows controversy over previous cost-cutting measures, including last year’s decision to reduce winter fuel payments for some pensioners, which led to internal party disputes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration has rejected comparisons to the Conservative-led austerity drive after the global financial crisis, which Labour blames for the country’s long-term economic challenges. The details of the welfare changes are expected to be presented in Parliament later on Tuesday.

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Rachel Reeves Faces £4.4 Billion Deficit, Tough Budget Choices Ahead

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British Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is set to face a £4.4 billion ($5.7 billion) deficit in her budget, reversing a previous surplus projection, according to the Resolution Foundation. The think tank warned that weaker economic growth and higher interest rate expectations have worsened the UK’s financial outlook, with the Office for Budget Responsibility expected to cut its 2025 growth forecast significantly. The Bank of England has already slashed its projection to 0.75%, mirroring the Resolution Foundation’s prediction.

With Reeves’ budget update scheduled for March 26, she is under pressure to meet fiscal rules that require balancing public spending with tax revenues by 2030. However, experts caution against deep welfare cuts and suggest tax increases instead. The rising cost of government borrowing, largely influenced by U.S. economic policies under President Donald Trump, has added to Britain’s fiscal strain. The Resolution Foundation urged Reeves to act decisively while ensuring that lower-income households are not disproportionately affected.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Reeves had pledged during last year’s election not to raise income tax, value-added tax, or corporate tax rates. One potential revenue-boosting measure could be extending the current freeze on income tax thresholds until 2030, which would generate billions. However, with fiscal pressures expected to intensify, experts warn that ruling out tax increases entirely could make future budgets even harder to balance.

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Massive Student-Led Protests Sweep Belgrade Over Corruption Allegations

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Thousands of protesters, mainly students, flooded Serbia’s capital on Friday ahead of a massive anti-government rally over the weekend. Many traveled hundreds of miles on foot or by bike to protest against President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration, which they blame for corruption and mismanagement. The demonstrations were sparked by the deaths of 15 people in a railway station collapse in Novi Sad last November, a disaster critics say was a result of government negligence.

The protesters, cheered by supporters waving Serbian flags, marched into central Belgrade, where students from the capital laid out a red carpet for their arrival. Bikers revved their engines, and passing cars honked in support. Authorities anticipate up to 80,000 demonstrators, though organizers claim the number will be much higher. Meanwhile, Vucic’s loyalists set up camp near his office, surrounding it with tractors in a show of support. The president has urged police restraint but warned that those threatening public order will be arrested.

In response to mounting pressure, the government has launched an anti-corruption campaign and charged 13 individuals over the railway disaster. Outgoing Prime Minister Milos Vucevic stated that police would intervene if violence erupts. The protests, the largest in decades, have united students, teachers, farmers, and workers, posing a serious challenge to Vucic, who has held power for 12 years as either prime minister or president.

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Belgium Detains Suspects in European Parliament Bribery Probe Linked to Huawei

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Belgian prosecutors announced on Thursday that several individuals had been detained over suspected bribery in the European Parliament, allegedly for the benefit of China’s Huawei. Authorities conducted searches across Belgium and Portugal, sealing the offices of two parliamentary assistants as part of the investigation. A suspect was also arrested in France. Prosecutors revealed that the alleged corruption had taken place discreetly since 2021 under the guise of lobbying, involving financial incentives and excessive gifts in exchange for political influence.

Huawei responded to the allegations, stating that it takes the matter seriously and will cooperate with authorities to understand the situation. The company reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and emphasized its commitment to compliance with all laws and regulations. Meanwhile, the European Parliament confirmed that it had received a request from Belgian authorities to assist in the investigation and pledged full cooperation.

The prosecutors refrained from disclosing the names of those involved but stated that the detained individuals were being questioned over corruption, forgery, and the use of false documents. The case adds to growing scrutiny over lobbying practices within European institutions, raising concerns about foreign influence in EU policymaking.

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Britain Warns of U.N. Sanctions on Iran Over Uranium Enrichment

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Britain has warned that it will trigger the return of U.N. sanctions on Iran if necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This comes as the U.N. Security Council met behind closed doors to address Iran’s rapid uranium enrichment to 60% purity, nearing weapons-grade levels. Western nations argue that such high enrichment is unnecessary for civilian use, while Iran insists its nuclear program remains peaceful. Britain’s deputy U.N. Ambassador James Kariuki emphasized the country’s commitment to taking diplomatic measures, including sanctions, to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The U.S. and its allies have accused Iran of violating International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) obligations and defying the Security Council. Iran, in turn, has condemned the U.S. for what it calls the “weaponization” of the council to escalate economic pressure on Tehran. Meanwhile, China is set to host a meeting with Russia and Iran to discuss the nuclear issue, urging diplomatic efforts to salvage the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear deal. China’s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong warned that maximum pressure tactics would not yield effective results.

With the 2015 U.N. resolution on the Iran nuclear deal expiring in October, Britain, France, and Germany will soon lose the ability to trigger snapback sanctions. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed diplomats to work with allies to reinstate international restrictions before the deadline. As tensions rise, the window for diplomatic negotiations appears to be closing, increasing the risk of renewed sanctions and further geopolitical friction.

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Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Sentenced to Nine More Years in Prison

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Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili was sentenced to an additional nine years in prison on Wednesday after being found guilty of embezzlement, according to the Interpress news agency. Saakashvili, who led Georgia from 2004 to 2013, was already serving a six-year sentence for abuse of power after his return to the country in 2021. He has spent much of his imprisonment in a prison hospital due to reported health concerns.

The courtroom erupted in chaos following the verdict, with Saakashvili’s supporters accusing the judge of being controlled by the ruling government. Once a widely popular leader who rose to power through the 2003 Rose Revolution, Saakashvili implemented sweeping reforms that aligned Georgia with the West. However, his tenure later became controversial, marred by allegations of authoritarianism, police brutality, and a failed 2008 war with Russia.

After leaving office, Saakashvili moved to Ukraine, where he briefly served as governor of the Odesa region. Despite being convicted in absentia of abuse of power, he returned to Georgia in 2021 and was immediately arrested. His United National Movement party had lost power in 2012 to a coalition led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who remains Georgia’s de facto leader.

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Portugal Faces Likely Early Election as Confidence Vote Looms

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Portugal’s parliament is set to vote on a motion of confidence in Prime Minister Luis Montenegro’s minority centre-right government on Tuesday, with rejection all but certain. The move comes amid opposition criticism over Montenegro’s past involvement in a consultancy firm now run by his sons. With the centre-left Socialists and far-right Chega vowing to vote against him, a failed motion would push the government into a caretaker role, leaving President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa to decide on a potential mid-May election.

Analysts predict another inconclusive result if fresh elections are held, as recent polls show little shift in voter preferences since the tight March 2024 election, which Montenegro’s Democratic Alliance (AD) won by just 1,500 votes. The AD currently holds 80 seats in the 230-seat parliament, narrowly ahead of the Socialists’ 78, raising concerns about continued political instability. Many voters, fatigued by frequent elections, express frustration over the lack of clear leadership.

Experts believe the only viable path to stability is a rare centrist alliance between Montenegro’s Social Democrats and the Socialists, a scenario last seen in 1983-1985. Political scientist Adelino Maltez warns that without such a pact, Portugal risks enduring further deadlock and uncertainty, with no single party securing a strong mandate.

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Romania Bars Far-Right Candidate Calin Georgescu from Presidential Re-Run

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Romania’s central election authority has barred far-right pro-Russian candidate Calin Georgescu from running in the May presidential election re-run, citing a prior Constitutional Court ruling that annulled the original vote due to allegations of Russian interference. The decision, reached by a 10-to-4 vote, has intensified a constitutional crisis in the EU and NATO member state, with Georgescu’s supporters denouncing it as political suppression. U.S. figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance, have criticized the move, while European diplomats back Romania’s judicial independence.

Following the announcement, violent protests erupted outside the election bureau, where Georgescu’s supporters clashed with security forces, throwing rocks, overturning cars, and setting fires. Police deployed teargas to disperse the crowds. The former frontrunner remains under criminal investigation for multiple charges, including membership in a fascist organization and financial misconduct, though he denies any wrongdoing.

Georgescu had surged to prominence through a highly coordinated social media campaign despite claiming to have spent no funds. His disqualification has further strained U.S.-European relations, particularly amid tensions over the White House’s stance on Ukraine. While he plans to challenge the ruling in Romania’s Constitutional Court, experts suggest the appeal is unlikely to succeed.

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