logo
What really happened at last night's EU Summit in Brussels - WATCH Euronews special show

What really happened at last night's EU Summit in Brussels - WATCH Euronews special show

Yahoo21-03-2025

With a flurry of summits and special meeting being convened, what is the best way for leaders to chew over the big decisions?
Is the plan of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to muster up to €40 billion in fresh military support for Ukraine up in smoke after leaders failed to endorse it during the EU Council Summit?
Now that Ursula von der Leyen's blueprint to mobilise up to €800 billion for defence over the next four years has been rebranded 'Readiness 2030', is the plan for a boost to the defence industry now open to wider infrastructure.
Following the EU Council summit which concluded on Friday, the former Commission President is our guest today, ready to chew over these questions.
Europe Today also brings you a special report from the summit floor, business news and a 'summit in numbers' feature.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kyiv outraged by Europe's decision to compensate investors with Russian assets
Kyiv outraged by Europe's decision to compensate investors with Russian assets

Yahoo

time32 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Kyiv outraged by Europe's decision to compensate investors with Russian assets

Ukrainian authorities have strongly criticised the decision to transfer part of Russia's frozen assets in Europe to Western investors, stating it weakens the EU's stance in confronting Moscow. Source: Reuters Details: Last month, the Belgian company Euroclear transferred €3 billion (US$3.4 billion) previously belonging to Russian investors to compensate Western companies whose assets were confiscated by Russia. This move alarmed Kyiv, which said such actions set a dangerous precedent and undermine Europe's determination in its confrontation with Russia. "If private investors are compensated before the victims of war, it won't be justice," said Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. She stressed that international law requires full reparations from the aggressor to the victims of war, not to companies that "entered a high-risk jurisdiction". The Euroclear decision raises concerns amid growing Western fatigue over support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, the frozen assets of the Russian Central Bank – most of which are held by Euroclear – remain a key leverage tool against Moscow. Ukraine insists these assets must be used for reconstruction and defence of the country. "If it is returned to Russia, it will be converted into tanks, missiles, drones, training of new troops," Mudra said. European leaders are expected to extend sanctions against Russia at the June summit. However, there are fears that some countries, including Hungary, might attempt to block the decision. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Montana Public Service Commission finally stands up to NorthWestern Energy
Montana Public Service Commission finally stands up to NorthWestern Energy

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Montana Public Service Commission finally stands up to NorthWestern Energy

Electricity pylons (Photo by Getty Images). It's fair to say Montanans have been raked over the coals for electricity costs by the utility companies that have followed in the wake of the disastrous utility deregulation bill passed by the 1997 Legislature and signed into law by then-Gov. Marc Racicot. The faulty premise on which the measure was sold to the Legislature was that Montanans would enjoy lower electricity costs thanks to customers having 'choice' to shop among the various utilities that were supposed to materialize. But that didn't happen. The opponents to the measure cited the simple fact that Montana already had the lowest price for electricity in the region, thanks in large part because Montana customers had already paid the Montana Power Company, as a regulated monopoly, to build and maintain a series of hydroelectric dams. As one long-time lineman quipped 'you can't make electricity cheaper than water running downhill.' Driven by the Montana Power Company's intent to change from a utility to a telecommunications company, Touch America, the 200+ page bill was jammed through in the last weeks of the session with most legislators having no idea what was in it — nor the consequences of their actions. Yet the Republican legislative majorities voted to grant Montana Power's wish, bolstered by the Butte Democrats — except for brave Danny Harrington who didn't kow-tow to the utility. It was arguably the worst decision ever made by Montana's lawmakers and governor. First to go were the dams, which were sold to an out-of-state utility, Pennsylvania Power and Light. Next to go was the Montana Power Company itself, taking with it the pensions and stock holdings of Montanans who thought of it as 'our' power company. Then Touch America, headed by Bob Gannon, the former CEO of the Montana Power Company, went bankrupt. In the meantime, Montanans' electricity bills began their skyward climb as the dams were sold yet again, each time for a higher price, that was then loaded on customers. Realizing the extent of the damage caused by the deregulation debacle, the Legislature finally decided to re-regulate in 2001. NorthWestern Energy is now our 'regulated' electricity supplier since acquiring the system in 2000. It's fair to say Montana's Public Service Commission has not been diligent in holding down rates, which have gone from the lowest to the highest in the region. But here's the good news. Thanks to Brad Molnar, who was a commissioner from 2004-2012, was re-elected in 2024, and is now the new president of the Commission, NorthWestern has finally hit resistance to its unending requests for rate increases. In a tremendous article, Daily Montanan's deputy editor, Keila Szpaller, lays out in detail Molnar's firm stance against the increase. Citing a 50-year old law, NorthWestern claims the Commission did not take timely action and raised rates nearly 17% on May 25 without Commission approval. Molnar says the increase 'will be crushing to many low-income people, many of whom are simply elderly, that are being handed their butts every day in property tax increases, in utilities, insurance for their houses, insurance for their cars. You name it. This is a very, very bad time to be a poor person, and this will make it worse.' If the rate increase is unjustified, NorthWestern will have to refund the over-charge plus 10%. As Molnar put it: 'It is time for them to grow up and quit playing the victim and actually take responsibility for their actions.' We'll see what happens, but for now, Montanans owe a debt of gratitude to Commissioner Molnar for finally standing up to NorthWestern instead of rubber-stamping their endless rate increases.

Ukraine's commander-in-chief briefs EU military committee chairman on situation at front line
Ukraine's commander-in-chief briefs EU military committee chairman on situation at front line

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Ukraine's commander-in-chief briefs EU military committee chairman on situation at front line

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has briefed General Seán Clancy, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee, on the situation on the front line and the course of hostilities. Source: Oleksandr Syrskyi on Facebook, European Pravda reported Details: Clancy, in turn, spoke about the activities of the European Union Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (EUMAM), which is aimed at meeting the priority needs of the Ukrainian defence forces. "He [Clancy] stressed that the mission remains proactive, providing professional advice on military strategy, as well as ensuring consistent, effective and long-term support to Ukraine from the European Union," Syrskyi said. The commander-in-chief thanked the European partners for their continued solidarity and aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Background: Meanwhile, senior British Armed Forces officials warn of the danger of a simultaneous armed conflict between the West and Russia and China if the UK and NATO countries do not accelerate rearmament. EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius shares Western intelligence estimates that a Russian attack on EU states could occur within the next few years. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store