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Europe Stands Firm as Trump Threatens Greenland Tariffs

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Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that “Europe won’t be blackmailed” in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs over Greenland. Trump warned that eight U.S. allies—including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the U.K.—would face new taxes starting February 1 if they opposed his proposed acquisition of the autonomous Danish territory. European leaders emphasized the importance of sovereignty and territorial integrity, issuing joint statements in solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.

Trump has justified his actions by citing Greenland’s strategic significance for U.S. security, and he has not ruled out acquiring it “the easy way” or “the hard way.” The threatened tariffs start at 10% and could increase to 25% until a deal is reached. European nations and NATO members, including the U.K., France, and Germany, condemned the coercive approach, stressing that the Arctic’s security is a shared transatlantic interest and that dialogue should be based on respect for sovereignty.

Public opposition in Denmark and Greenland has been strong, with protests calling for Greenland’s right to self-determination. Polls indicate that both Greenlanders and Americans largely oppose U.S. control of the island. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German officials, are coordinating their responses and preparing contingency measures, including invoking EU anti-coercion instruments if the tariffs are implemented.

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Bulgaria Heads for Snap Election After Parties Reject Government Mandate

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Bulgaria is heading for another snap election after the country’s main political parties refused to form a government, President Rumen Radev said on Friday. His announcement follows the rejection of a final mandate by the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, clearing the way for the eighth election in just four years.

None of the parties in Bulgaria’s fragmented parliament hold enough seats to secure a stable majority. Earlier this week, both the GERB-SDS bloc and the reformist PP-DB alliance turned down Radev’s request to try to form a governing coalition after the previous administration resigned.

Former Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s coalition stepped down last month amid sustained street protests over corruption and proposed tax increases. With all mandates now declined, Radev is expected to appoint a caretaker government and call early elections, as Bulgaria seeks political stability to unlock EU funds, boost investment, and tackle long-standing corruption.

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French Farmers Step Up Protests Against Mercosur Trade Deal by Targeting Imports

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French farmers intensified their protests on Monday by stopping trucks and checking imported food at key transport hubs, including the country’s largest container port at Le Havre and on a major motorway north of Paris. The actions were aimed at opposing the EU-Mercosur free-trade deal, which farmers say would expose them to unfair competition from cheaper agricultural products imported from South America and beyond.

The pressure has grown since most European Union member states approved the deal last week, despite France voting against it. Farmers’ unions argue that imported goods often do not meet the same environmental, health and labour standards required of European producers, making it difficult for them to compete on price. Protesters at Le Havre said they had already spotted products such as mushrooms and sheep offal from China entering the supply chain.

Protests also spread to other parts of the country, with farmers blocking fuel depots, ports and transport routes in regions including La Rochelle, Bayonne and the French Alps. Unions plan to bring tractors into Paris for a major demonstration, followed by another rally in Strasbourg later this month, as they seek to persuade the European Parliament to reject the Mercosur agreement.

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Protests Erupt in Albania Over Deputy Prime Minister’s Corruption Charges

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Protests erupted in Tirana, Albania, as demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at the government building housing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s office. The unrest follows the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku on allegations of corruption, accused of using state funds to favor certain companies in major infrastructure projects.

Balluku, who also leads the Ministry of Infrastructure, dismissed the accusations in parliament as “mudslinging, insinuations, half-truths and lies,” and pledged full cooperation with the judiciary. The Special Prosecution Office has requested that parliament lift her immunity to allow for her arrest, though no vote date has been confirmed.

Police in riot gear protected the government building but did not actively confront protesters. Citizens expressed outrage over alleged theft of tens or hundreds of millions of euros, demanding Balluku’s resignation amid escalating political tensions.

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Mass Protests Surge in Bulgaria as Citizens Demand Government Resignation

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Thousands of Bulgarians gathered once again across Sofia and several other cities, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov’s minority government. Demonstrators accuse the leadership of failing to address widespread corruption and mismanaging key national issues as the country prepares to adopt the euro on January 1. Protesters projected messages like “Resignation” and “Mafia Out” onto the parliament building, signalling growing public frustration.

Despite the government’s decision to withdraw its 2026 draft budget—originally planned in euros—protests have intensified. Critics say the budget would have raised social security contributions and taxes on dividends to fund increased state spending. With Bulgaria experiencing deep political divisions and seven national elections in four years, many citizens insist that true reform must begin with fixing the judicial system.

The pressure mounts ahead of a no-confidence vote in parliament, the sixth attempt to challenge the government since January. Political leaders remain divided: while ruling coalition members vow to stay until eurozone entry, opposition groups say Bulgaria can join the euro even if the government steps down. Protest organisers argue it is time for the country to break free from oligarchic influence and restore normalcy to its political landscape.

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Germany Introduces Voluntary Military Service for 18-Year-Olds

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Germany’s parliament has approved a voluntary military service program for 18-year-olds, marking a major shift in the country’s defense policy. From January 2026, all 18-year-olds will receive a questionnaire asking if they are interested in joining the armed forces. While participation will initially be voluntary for men and women, mandatory medical exams for men will start in July 2027 to assess fitness for potential service. The move aims to strengthen Germany’s military after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to meet NATO force targets.

The decision has sparked protests across the country, with students in as many as 90 cities planning strikes. Critics argue that military service disrupts lives, encourages obedience training, and exposes young people to the realities of war. In Hamburg alone, about 1,500 people were expected to protest, highlighting widespread skepticism among German youth about the new law.

Germany’s armed forces currently number around 182,000, and officials plan to increase this to 260,000 by the early 2030s, supplemented by 200,000 reservists. Incentives for voluntary service include a monthly salary of €2,600, making it more attractive than similar programs in France. The legislation reflects Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s push to rebuild the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest conventional army amid growing security concerns.

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WW1-Era Chemical Likely Used on Georgian Protesters, BBC Investigation Reveals

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A BBC investigation suggests that Georgian authorities used a World War One–era chemical agent, known as camite, in water cannons during anti-government protests in late 2024. Demonstrators in Tbilisi reported severe burning sensations, difficulty breathing, coughing and vomiting—symptoms that persisted for weeks. Doctors, chemical weapons specialists, and whistleblowers from Georgia’s riot police provided evidence pointing toward the use of this long-discontinued compound, once deployed by France in WW1 and eventually abandoned due to its prolonged harmful effects.

Paediatrician and protester Dr Konstantine Chakhunashvili conducted a survey of nearly 350 affected demonstrators, finding that almost half experienced symptoms lasting more than 30 days. His study, soon to be published in Toxicology Reports, also noted abnormal heart electrical activity among many participants. These findings supported theories from journalists, civil rights groups and medical experts that the water cannon contained more than just irritants like pepper spray or CS gas.

Whistleblowers from Georgia’s Special Tasks Department revealed that the chemical used closely resembles one tested in 2009, which they described as extremely difficult to wash off and far more harmful than standard tear gas. Despite recommendations against its use, they say it continued to be loaded into water cannon vehicles for years. The Georgian government dismissed the BBC’s findings as “absurd,” insisting police acted lawfully against what they called “violent criminals.”

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Serbia Approves Disputed Trump-Linked Development Amid Public Outcry

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Serbia’s parliament has passed legislation enabling a controversial luxury hotel and apartment project in Belgrade led by Jared Kushner’s firm, Affinity Partners. The planned $500m (£380m) development would replace the former Yugoslav Army headquarters — a site heavily damaged during NATO’s 1999 intervention and regarded by many as a national memorial. Despite protests, legal concerns, and the site’s symbolic value, the government moved forward after removing its protected status and agreeing to grant a 99-year lease to the US investment group.

Critics, including opposition lawmakers and architectural experts, argue the decision is unconstitutional and risks erasing a painful chapter of Serbian history for political gains. Demonstrators fear the landmark will be replaced with commercial attractions like casinos and luxury amenities, while anti-corruption organisations have questioned the transparency behind the project’s approval process.

President Aleksandar Vucic defended the move as essential to “overcome the burden from 1999” and strengthen ties with the US, even as Serbia continues balancing its relations with both Washington and Moscow. The project’s revival also surfaces reports that Donald Trump had previously eyed investments in Belgrade, though Kushner has distanced himself from any past plans.

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Protests Erupt as Shein Opens First Permanent Store in Paris

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Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein opened its first permanent physical store on Wednesday inside the historic BHV Marais department store in Paris, drawing large crowds of eager shoppers — and equally strong opposition. Protesters gathered outside carrying signs reading “Shame on Shein,” criticizing the retailer’s low-cost business model and its impact on the environment, workers, and local businesses. Police were deployed to manage tensions as the store launched its promotional offer allowing customers to receive vouchers to spend at other BHV outlets.

The move has sparked backlash from lawmakers and retailers who argue that Shein’s practices undermine France’s textile industry and high streets. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and other officials have condemned the partnership, describing it as a “provocation,” especially as France pushes forward a fast-fashion law that could ban Shein from advertising and impose fees on items sold in the country. The retailer also faces scrutiny after regulators fined it €190 million, with new investigations underway into inappropriate content allegedly sold on the platform.

Despite the controversy, Société des Grands Magasins — owner of BHV — sees the collaboration as a lifeline to attract younger shoppers and revive struggling department stores. Shein has rapidly grown its presence in France, reporting 27.3 million average monthly users earlier this year. As concerns over affordability persist, the French government acknowledges the challenge consumers face in accessing fairly priced clothing while maintaining pressure on Shein to comply with national standards.

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Irish PM Denounces ‘Reprehensible’ Violence in Dublin

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Fifteen individuals were brought before a special court in Dublin following violent protests at a site designated for asylum seekers. Protestors ignited pallets and construction equipment at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, North Dublin, causing a significant fire. The site on Malahide Road was scheduled for development later in the week.

Taoiseach Simon Harris condemned the violence as “reprehensible.” The fifteen individuals who appeared in Dublin District Court on Monday evening faced public order charges, including non-compliance with police orders and threatening or abusive behavior. They were released on conditional bail, provided they avoid the protest site, and are due back in court on September 18. Four additional people are set to appear in court on Tuesday morning.

Over 200 gardaí responded to the incident, with three Garda cars damaged, one of which was set on fire. According to Irish broadcaster RTÉ, pepper spray was used by the police, and a security guard along with several gardaí sustained injuries during clashes with the protesters. The disturbances involved petrol bombs, fireworks, and the burning of mattresses, which damaged a JCB. Fires were also set on the roads.

Gardaí classified the event as a public order incident and temporarily closed the road. Officers faced verbal and physical abuse throughout the day, which escalated to rocks, fireworks, and other objects being hurled at them. “A number of fires were lit and official Garda vehicles seriously damaged,” a spokesperson said. As the situation intensified, police used force in self-defense.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris remarked on the challenging day for his officers and condemned the violence, stating that there were attacks on gardaí, criminal damage, and serious public disorder offenses, all of which would be thoroughly investigated. He mentioned that 15 individuals had been charged, with more charges expected overnight.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee expressed her horror at the criminal behavior in Coolock and vowed that those involved would face severe legal consequences.

Dublin city councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha condemned the incident as “deplorable,” asserting that violence, intimidation, and arson have no place in communities. The Sinn Féin representative emphasized that the burning of vehicles and attempts to burn the building were violent criminal acts that must be condemned. He noted that the Department of Integration was developing the site to house families seeking international protection, urging those responsible to cease their actions immediately and condemning the efforts to spread fear and hate in the community.

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