Latest news with #EuroVerify
Euronews
a day ago
- Business
- Euronews
What we know about the shootings near Gaza aid distribution sites
Competing narratives have emerged following a series of deadly incidents which reportedly took place in the vicinity of the US-Israeli backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) food aid distribution sites in south-west Gaza. According to accounts from local Hamas-run authorities, as well as eyewitnesses and medical professionals, troops from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) shot at and killed a number of Palestinians who were seeking to access the GHF sites in recent days. While shootings were reported near all three GHF hubs in southern Gaza, the heaviest occurred on Sunday and Tuesday at the Flag Roundabout. The UN has called for an independent investigation into the incidents, reminding Israel that it is required to facilitate humanitarian aid under international law. EuroVerify takes a look at the facts in order to build up a timeline of what we know. On Sunday, 31 Palestinians were reportedly killed by IDF shots as they attempted to access GHF distribution sites, said local Hamas-run authorities. To reach the GHF's sites in Rafah, Palestinians must walk for kilometres along a designated route, which the GHF says the Israeli military keeps secure. In statements to the public, GHF has warned people to stay on the road, saying leaving it "represents a great danger." Before dawn on Sunday, thousands of Palestinians massed at the Flag Roundabout, which is part of a designated access route, approximately one kilometre northwest of GHF's distribution hub in the Tel al-Sultan district of Rafah. By 3am, thousands had gathered and according to Palestinian witnesses, it is around this time that Israeli troops started firing at the crowd with guns, tanks and drones. NGO Médecins sans Frontières has stated that patients — who said they had been shot by Israeli forces at GHF distribution sites — began to stream into Khan Younis' Nasser hospital on Sunday morning. The individuals said they had been shot at by Israeli forces close to GHF distribution sites. Another international organisation, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), declared that on Sunday, 179 adults and children bearing shrapnel and gunshot wounds arrived at the organisation's field hospital in Rafah. According to the ICRC, its medical teams declared 21 individuals dead upon arrival. Israel has denied allegations its forces opened fire on locals queuing for aid in Rafah. In a post shared on X, the IDF branded such reports "false," stating that an initial inquiry found that its forces "did not fire at civilians while they were near or within the humanitarian aid distribution site." The GHF told EuroVerify that no incidents occurred at or in the surrounding vicinity of their distribution site on Sunday, adding that there were "no injuries, no fatalities." On Tuesday, Gaza's health ministry said Israeli forces had shot and killed at least 27 people near the GHF distribution centre. Civilians were fired at by tanks, drones and helicopters near the Flag Roundabout close to the distribution hub. Israel denies that such an incident happened and claims that it only fired warning shots at people it suspected were deviating from designated access routes to the GHF centre. "The troops carried out warning fire and after the suspects failed to retreat, additional shots were directed near individual suspects who advanced toward the troops," the IDF said in a post on X. It added that it was aware of reported casualties and that it was investigating the incident. "IDF troops are not preventing the arrival of Gazan civilians to the humanitarian aid distribution sites," the IDF said. "The warning shots were fired approximately half a kilometre away from the humanitarian aid distribution site toward several suspects who advanced toward the troops in such a way that posed a threat to them." The GHF itself said that the distribution of food was carried out without any issues within its perimeter and that it was aware of the Israeli investigation into the reported injured civilians. On Wednesday, the GHF said it had paused aid distribution and discussing measures to improve civilian safety with the Israeli military, including changes to traffic management and troop training. The body began distributing aid on 26 May, after a three-month Israeli blockade on aid entering Gaza pushed the population of more than 2 million to the brink of famine. The GHF system limits food distribution to hubs guarded by armed contractors. Of the three hubs that are open, one is in central Gaza and two are in the far south on the outskirts of the mostly uninhabited southern city of Rafah. Israel's ban on international media access to Gaza — which means that journalists must partake in an organised army press tour to enter the territory — has fuelled online speculation and renders independent on the ground verification a major challenge. The European Union will extend the temporary protection granted to Ukrainian refugees until March 2027 as it paves the way for a "gradual return and sustainable reintegration" in the country once Russia's invasion comes to an end, a prospect that remains distant and precarious as Moscow stalls the negotiations promoted by the United States. It marks the first time that Brussels presents a detailed roadmap for Ukrainians to either go home after the war or stay in the bloc on a long-term basis. An estimated 4.3 million Ukrainians left their country and relocated across the EU in what is considered the largest refugee crisis since World War II. "Since 2022, we have provided protection for those fleeing Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and we continue to do so," said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission. "And together with Ukraine, we pave the way for people to be able to return and rebuild their homes once it is safe." Under the Commission's plan, unveiled on Wednesday afternoon, the bloc will continue the path charted in the early days of the war, when member states rapidly agreed to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to provide hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing Russia's war with immediate legal shelter. The directive has the benefit of bypassing the traditionally cumbersome asylum to fast-track access to residence permits, the labour market, social welfare, medical treatment and the education system. The law asks governments to reduce formalities "to a minimum" due to the urgency of attending a "mass influx" of refugees. With no end in sight to Russia's war, the directive has been repeatedly extended to ensure legal certainty for Ukrainians. The Commission proposes a new prolongation until 4 March 2027, which member states are certain to approve in the coming weeks. At the same time, Brussels charts what it calls a "coordinated transition out of temporary protection" to lay the groundwork for the eventual day when the invasion ends and refugees face a real choice between staying in the bloc or going back to Ukraine. The cessation of hostilities, however, does not automatically imply the return of all those who escaped the violence. The recent case of Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad demonstrates the complexity of managing a post-war reality. Many parts of Ukraine, including entire cities and communities, have been devastated by incessant Russian bombardment. The World Bank estimates the country's recovery and reconstruction will cost €506 billion over the next decade, a colossal bill that Kyiv and its allies hope to partially offset by leveraging Russia's frozen sovereign assets. But besides foreign donations and investment, Ukraine will need people to help rebuild its battered economy and infrastructure. According to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernysho, who joined the Commission's presentation, an additional four million workers might be required to double the country's GDP over a 10-year period. "It is a fact that we need more people (to come) back to Ukraine, of course, under the condition is stable and the war is over," Chernysho said. "Only a strong economy can pave the way to the future success of Ukraine and successful integration in the European Union. That's why it's so important to us." Mindful of the balancing act, the Commission recommends that member states prepare for two main scenarios. On the one hand, the possibility that some Ukrainians will wish to remain in the EU countries where they have integrated themselves. This should be done through legal avenues, such as long-term residence permits, student visas and the regular migration status, to replace the ongoing temporary protection. The switch will depend on national legislation and might be done before the directive expires. On the other hand, the possibility that some refugees will opt to go back to Ukraine. This should be done through "voluntary return programmes" – as opposed to any form of forced deportations – and "exploratory visits" to help Ukrainians travel home, meet their families and assess the circumstances on the ground. Additionally, the new plan promotes the establishment of so-called "Unity Hubs" to inform refugees about the two options – integration and return – and foster connections among Ukrainians living abroad. The roadmap also foresees the appointment of a special envoy to oversee the transition at the political level. The Commission insists that any movement should take place "once the necessary conditions are met" – that is, once a just and lasting peace is achieved. The temporary protection could be suspended if a deal is struck before March 2027. "When the time comes to end temporary protection, we'll also have to be mindful of Ukraine's absorption capacity. We cannot do everything from one day to another," said Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration. "We're therefore asking member states to put in place voluntary return programmes to allow a staggered and organised return to Ukraine." Although the reception of Ukrainian refugees enjoys enduring support among member states, the question of funding has at times caused friction. Since the start of the war, the EU budget has doled out €15 billion in emergency assistance. But for some nations in Ukraine's periphery, the help has fallen short of their needs. Last year, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic called on Brussels to provide fresh cash to alleviate their "strained" capacities and the "uneven" burden-sharing. The three countries host about 50% of all displaced Ukrainians in the bloc. Following a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in May, Ursula von der Leyen announced €3 billion to support Ukrainian refugees and the EU's migration reform. A further €1 billion will be allocated to the same end. Future costs will have to be addressed by the next seven-year budget, which has not yet been presented.
Euronews
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
No, Israel isn't planning to take over a French holy site
A document going around online alleges that the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to take back control of the Tombs of the Kings, a sacred site which is under French control in East Jerusalem. It's been circulating on social media and presents a decision allegedly made by Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister. It suggests that Israel's Foreign Ministry is looking into holding "diplomatic negotiations with the French government," in a bid to transfer the holy site to Israel. At the top of the document, "Jerusalem Day" is mentioned, an Israeli national holiday which marks the moment when Israeli forces took over East Jerusalem, following the 1967 six-day war. Jerusalem Day falls yearly in May or June, in line with the Hebrew calendar's month of Iyar. However, EuroVerify found no proof that the document is real. In a public statement shared on X, Israel's French embassy refuted the allegations and said it deplores such "fake news." "We urge everyone to be vigilant when it comes to unsourced information on social networks," it added. When approached by EuroVerify, France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: "We are not aware of any official Israeli approach to this effect. The national domains are the property of the French State." "This ownership is recognised by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority through international agreements," it continued. "In Jerusalem, France has owned, since the 19th century, four national domains and religious Christian and Jewish sites, whose ownership was recognised by the State of Israel in 1948." In addition to various Christian and Jewish religious sites in the region, France owns four heritage sites in Jerusalem, under a treaty known as the Fischer-Chauvel agreement. These sites, including the Tombs of the Kings, are known as the French National Domain in the Holy Land, with some of France's claims over them dating back to the Ottoman era. The other three are the Church of the Pater Noster (also known as the Sanctuary of the Eleona), the Benedictine monastery in Abu Ghosh and the Church of Saint Anne. The Tombs of the Kings are believed to be the burial site of Queen Helene of Adiabene, who converted to Judaism around 30 AD and died sometime between 50 and 56 AD. They were originally thought to be the burial place of the kings of Judah. The French claims are based on the government's purchase of the site from a private owner in 1886. Jerusalem was part of the Ottoman Empire at the time and the Ottoman government officially recognised the sale as legal under its law. France continued to assert its ownership of the Tombs of the Kings and other sites during the British Mandate and later under Israeli rule. It and the newly-founded State of Israel drew up the Fischer-Chauvel agreement between 1948 and 1949 to formalise Paris' claim to the sites. However, while Israel acknowledges the existence of the agreement, it has never officially ratified it. Nevertheless, it has generally respected the privileges associated with the sites and given de facto recognition to French control. The tricolour flag flies over them, and they are administered by French authorities, but they conform to Israeli property law. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Tuesday his country is ready to host a future round of talks between Ukraine and Russia, expressing hope that negotiations will "swiftly lead to a ceasefire, followed by lasting peace." "We emphasized that we are always ready to host negotiations. We see this as a duty, not just for our region, but for global peace," Fidan told reporters at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. "We have conveyed our request for the upcoming negotiations to take place in Turkey and assured them that we are ready to contribute in every way," he said. Fidan is on a two-day visit to Moscow where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. Earlier this month, delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for the first time since 2022. The Istanbul meeting revealed that both sides remained far apart on key conditions for ending the fighting. One such condition for Ukraine, backed by its Western allies, is a temporary ceasefire as a first step toward a peaceful settlement. European leaders have accused Putin of dragging his feet in peace efforts while he tries to press his larger army's battlefield initiative and capture more Ukrainian land. Russia also levelled the same accusations on Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday accused Ukraine of undermining peace efforts by launching a series of drone attacks on Russia this month. 'This action by Kyiv discord with aspirations for peace process,' he told reporters. Peskov hailed the US peace efforts, saying that 'the Americans and President (Donald) Trump have taken quite a balanced approach.' 'Clearly, the Russian and the American sides mustn't and can't agree on everything, certain disagreements will always remain, but there is a political will to implement the agreements that have been reached and the work is continuing,' Peskov said. At the same time, Peskov criticised Europe for continuing to provide arms supplies to Kyiv, noting that by this, Europe has become indirectly involved "in the war against Russia,' adding that it 'in no way helps peace settlement" in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Trump's patience appears to be wearing thin. In a post on his own social media platform, Truth Social, the US president warned his Russian counterpart that he's 'playing with fire' amid renewed attacks and stagnant peace talks. Trump's latest comments came after he called the Kremlin leader "CRAZY" over the weekend following a mass Russian air attack on Kyiv. "What Vladimir Putin doesn't realise is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD," Trump wrote. US media outlets speculate that the Trump administration is reportedly considering fresh sanctions against Russia as early as this week, while stressing that the US president could still change his mind. The reports have not been confirmed by Trump or White House officials, although the 47th US president has repeatedly warned that Washington may abandon peace efforts if talks between the warring sides don't yield positive results soon.
Euronews
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Fake Turkish government advert urges Indian tourists to ignore boycott
A sham announcement from the Turkish government is circulating online, urging Indian tourists to refrain from cancelling or postponing their trips amid New Delhi's hostilities with Pakistan. The announcement says that the vast majority of Turkish people are unaware of the conflict between India and Pakistan, that Indians are still warmly welcome to the country, and that they will be safe throughout their stay in Turkey. It's been shared on social media against the backdrop of a Turkish boycott in India, which includes calls to boycott travel to Turkey and the severing of ties with Turkish businesses and universities, after Ankara was quick to back Islamabad in the conflict. Various Indian media outlets even picked up the supposed government statement and reported on it as if it were authentic. It has also made its way to the Greek side of X, with some claiming that it shows the Turkish tourism industry is panicking, and that holidaymakers should consider travelling instead to Greece, which they say is a more stalwart ally of India. However, several clues show us that the announcement is fake, beginning with the fact that it's supposedly been shared by the "Department of Tourism". No such department exists: its real name is the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The difference may be subtle, but it's one that an official government announcement would get right. The alleged announcement doesn't appear on the list of recent official press releases issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the picture of it shared on social media looks nothing like any of those authentic statements. Additionally, no reputable Turkish news organisation appears to have reported on it. EuroVerify reached out to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism but did not receive a request for comment. Nevertheless, the Indian boycott against Turkey is very much real, after reports that Pakistan used Turkish drones against India as the countries clashed following the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Five armed terrorists killed 26 civilians there on 22 April, targeting Hindus in particular. Indian police claimed that two of the militants were Pakistani nationals, and the government accused Pakistan of supporting them. The latter firmly denies any involvement in the incident. Turkey was among the countries that backed Pakistan after India responded to the attack with military action, prompting calls to boycott the country alongside Azerbaijan, which also voiced its support for Islamabad. Indian travel sites say that cancellations of trips to Turkey have shot up over the past week, with some companies even outright discouraging travel there.
Euronews
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Gas prices climb in EU for first time since 2022. Who pays more?
Viral social media posts are alleging that French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were caught taking cocaine on their trip to Kyiv. At the centre of the claims is a video showing the three leaders greeting one another on a train from Poland to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm their support for his country. Social media users allege that the white object next to Macron's glass is a bag of cocaine, which he hurriedly removes, and that the object next to Merz's hand is a snuff spoon. The claims have also come from the highest echelons of Russia's government, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posting on her official Telegram channel that the trio "got high" together. "Apparently, so much so that they forgot to remove their instruments (bag and spoon) before the journalists arrived," she alleged. But the allegations have all the hallmarks of being part of a widespread Russian disinformation campaign designed to harm Ukraine and its allies' credibility. The Élysée Palace stated on X that the alleged bag of cocaine is a mere tissue, and that the "fake news" has been spread by France's enemies at home and abroad. "When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the president's office said. A spokesperson for the German government told EuroVerify that the claims were "absurd", and Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation slammed them as an embarrassing case of Russian propaganda. "Adding to the absurdity, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the disinformation effort, with its official spokesperson Maria Zakharova publicly echoing the lie," it said. "This is yet another example of how Russia resorts to propaganda tricks instead of practising diplomacy." "If the Russian MFA is trying to blow up an international scandal over a napkin, it clearly means Moscow has run out of real arguments," it added. Indeed, the allegations have been shared all over the internet by pro-Russian accounts, dozens of pro-Kremlin media and have even been pushed by far-right figures who are routinely critical of Ukraine and spread disinformation. A website called "Global Euronews", which bears a similar name to Euronews in an effort to legitimise its misinformation, shared the story, as have others, such as EurAsia Daily and Among the far-right personalities amplifying the false narrative are UK anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson (also known by his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) and US radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who now also claim that the mainstream media is trying to cover up the story. Yet the objects causing the controversy clearly look like a tissue and some sort of stirrer, as opposed to anything related to drugs. "It looks like a tissue or napkin and a bit of thread," Catriona Matheson, professor of substance use at the University of Stirling, told EuroVerify. "There's no evidence of cocaine." A clip of the meeting was recorded and shared by both the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, two reputable news agencies, which made no reference to any drug use, and which surely wouldn't have been allowed in the room had anything untoward been going on. Other accounts have since been sharing doctored images, trying to make the tissue look more like a bag of cocaine, but these too are ultimately part of the disinformation campaign. The table takes on a much redder hue compared to the original video, and the so-called bag of cocaine appears much shinier compared to the original. The glass next to it has also been digitally altered to look dustier. The UK government did not respond to our requests for comment. - Irina Sheludkova contributed to this report. The EU is feeling the bite of energy prices going up again. Gas reached its highest cost on record in the second half of 2024, Eurostat reports. The average rate is now €12.33 per 100 kWh, up from €11.04 in the first half of last year. It is also the first time that prices in the EU are climbing up, following the 2022 energy crisis. However, unlike three years ago, when the war in Ukraine and the cut in Russian gas imports (from 45% in 2021 to a projected 13% in 2025) sent prices soaring, this time, taxes are mainly responsible for the spike. "The increase is largely driven by raised taxes in many EU countries, as earlier alleviation measures were scaled back.", says Eurostat. Considering both EU and extra-EU countries, price differences are huge. They range from €18.93 per 100 kWh in Sweden and €16.71 in the Netherlands, to €1.73 in Georgia, €2.13 in Turkey, €3.15 in Hungary, €4.56 in Croatia, €4.92 in Serbia, €5.13 in Bosnia-Herzegovina and €5.41 in Romania. None of the countries with the cheapest gas prices - excluding Croatia and Romania - cut Russian gas supplies. The picture is slightly different when actual purchasing power is taken into account. In the EU, Portugal and Italy are actually the countries paying the most for natural gas. Croatia and Romania could cut reliance on Russia while keeping prices low thanks to long-term and ambitious energy strategies. Croatia's crucial liquefied natural gas terminal on Krk became operational in 2021 and the country now plans to ramp up gas production by 82% in the next three years. Romania is one of the most energy-independent countries in the EU, and is planning to go completely autonomous, gas-wise. Pivotal to it is its Neptune Deep offshore project. It's expected to become operational in 2027 and is aiming to double Romanian gas production. "Europe must become a refuge," French President Emmanuel Macron said last week, as he pledged to invest an 'additional' €100 million to help his country attract foreign scientists — in particular from the US. The "Choose France for Science" scheme came in response to the Trump administration's slashing of research funding in the US. But despite Macron's big and bold invitation to American scientists, French scientists and researchers more generally say they themselves are being worn down by government cuts. In a joint statement issued last Monday, a collection of education institutions and research unions claimed Macron's policies since 2017 had "considerably weakened higher education and research in France". In February, the government slashed the 2025 budget for higher education and research by €1 billion, and a further €493 million in cuts was announced in April. This has had a direct knock-on effect on the work and working conditions of researchers across a range of fields. "70% of university buildings in France are in a state of disrepair, while researchers in France are working on extremely tight budgets and the majority of institutions are in the red," Virginie Saint-James, Secretary General of Sup' Recherche UNSA, a union for academic researchers, told Euronews. "We are very keen to welcome individuals who have been labelled "scientific refugees", but that does not mean the situation is perfect here," she added. France's Aix-Marseille University has unlocked its own funds to welcome top-level researchers, with the institution announcing a €15 million programme to host US scientists over the next three years. Under the scheme, a select number of scientists are to be paid a salary of €250,000 each per year, with a €500,000 to €600,000 budget to complete their research. Saint-James told Euronews that the contrast with what domestic researchers are facing is stark. "These announcements are very surprising and bear no resemblance to what researchers earn in France, when you think that the average gross salary of a teacher-researcher in France is €63,000 per year," she said. "There are huge double standards. Some researchers in France have to cancel train tickets for thesis juries because their lab doesn't have any money." Others are concerned that Macron and Europe are focused on welcoming scientists, but not valuing the importance of work conducted by researchers in other fields. "The discussion has revolved around attracting researchers from strategic sectors which conceal clear economic motivations", said Boris Gralak, general secretary of the National Union of Scientific Research. "The focus has been on getting scientists over those who work in the field of AI and climate change, but in reality the Trump administration's cuts are occurring across the board in research, also affecting gender studies for example. So why is nobody talking about bringing these professionals over?" Meanwhile, a number of young French scientists are growing increasingly disenchanted with the sector because of poor working conditions. This was the case for 32-year old Elise Bordet, who had always dreamt of pursuing a career in science. She holds a PhD in immunology. "'Your salary as a researcher will be pocket money, it's good that your boyfriend earns a good living' — that's what my PhD supervisor said to me," recalled Bordet on LinkedIn recently. The struggles of finding work led Bordet to leave science altogether and set up her own business. She told Euronews that many other young scientists feel the same. "On average you are expected to accept short-term research contracts for around 10 years before landing a full-time contract," she explained. "In my field of research, I would be aiming to be paid €1,800 per month after a decade of work." On top of this, Bordet remains sceptical that conditions in French laboratories can really live up to what many US scientists are used to. "France is behind on the US, in many labs we use complicated and lengthy old-fashioned techniques to cut down on costs and are still working on very old software in many places," she said.
Euronews
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Macron, Merz and Starmer targeted by Russian 'cocaine' claims
Viral social media posts are alleging that French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were caught taking cocaine on their trip to Kyiv. At the centre of the claims is this video, showing the three leaders greeting one another on a train from Poland to Ukraine, ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm their support for his country. Social media users allege that the white object next to Macron's glass is a bag of cocaine, which he hurriedly removes, and that the object next to Merz's hand is a snuff spoon. The claims have also come from the highest echelons of Russia's government, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posting on her official Telegram channel that the trio "got high" together. "Apparently, so much so that they forgot to remove their instruments (bag and spoon) before the journalists arrived," she alleged. But the allegations have all the hallmarks of being part of a widespread Russian disinformation campaign designed to harm Ukraine and its allies' credibility. The Élysée Palace stated on X that the alleged bag of cocaine is a mere tissue, and that the "fake news" has been spread by France's enemies at home and abroad. "When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the president's office said. A spokesperson for the German government told EuroVerify that the claims were "absurd", and Ukraine's Centre for Countering Disinformation slammed them as an embarrassing case of Russian propaganda. "Adding to the absurdity, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the disinformation effort, with its official spokesperson Maria Zakharova publicly echoing the lie," it said. "This is yet another example of how Russia resorts to propaganda tricks instead of practising diplomacy." "If the Russian MFA is trying to blow up an international scandal over a napkin, it clearly means Moscow has run out of real arguments," it added. Indeed, the allegations have been shared all over the internet by pro-Russian accounts, dozens of pro-Kremlin media and have even been pushed by far-right figures who are routinely critical of Ukraine and spread disinformation. A website called "Global Euronews", which bears a similar name to Euronews in an effort to legitimise its misinformation, shared the story, as have others, such as EurAsia Daily and Among the far-right personalities amplifying the false narrative are UK anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson (also known by his real name, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) and US radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who now also claim that the mainstream media is trying to cover up the story. Yet the objects causing the controversy clearly look like a tissue and some sort of stirrer, as opposed to anything related to drugs. "It looks like a tissue or napkin and a bit of thread," Catriona Matheson, professor of substance use at the University of Stirling, told EuroVerify. "There's no evidence of cocaine." A clip of the meeting was recorded and shared by both the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, two reputable news agencies, which made no reference to any drug use, and which surely wouldn't have been allowed in the room had anything untoward been going on. Other accounts have since been sharing doctored images, trying to make the tissue look more like a bag of cocaine, but these too are ultimately part of the disinformation campaign. The table takes on a much redder hue compared to the original video, and the so-called bag of cocaine appears much shinier compared to the original. The glass next to it has also been digitally altered to look dustier. The UK government did not respond to our requests for comment. - Irina Sheludkova contributed to this report. The EU is feeling the bite of energy prices going up again. Gas reached its highest cost on record in the second half of 2024, Eurostat reports. The average rate is now €12.33 per 100 kWh, up from €11.04 in the first half of last year. It is also the first time that prices in the EU are climbing up, following the 2022 energy crisis. However, unlike three years ago, when the war in Ukraine and the cut in Russian gas imports (from 45% in 2021 to a projected 13% in 2025) sent prices soaring, this time, taxes are mainly responsible for the spike. "The increase is largely driven by raised taxes in many EU countries, as earlier alleviation measures were scaled back.", says Eurostat. Considering both EU and extra-EU countries, price differences are huge. They range from €18.93 per 100 kWh in Sweden and €16.71 in the Netherlands, to €1.73 in Georgia, €2.13 in Turkey, €3.15 in Hungary, €4.56 in Croatia, €4.92 in Serbia, €5.13 in Bosnia-Herzegovina and €5.41 in Romania. None of the countries with the cheapest gas prices - excluding Croatia and Romania - cut Russian gas supplies. The picture is slightly different when actual purchasing power is taken into account. In the EU, Portugal and Italy are actually the countries paying the most for natural gas. Croatia and Romania could cut reliance on Russia while keeping prices low thanks to long-term and ambitious energy strategies. Croatia's crucial liquefied natural gas terminal on Krk became operational in 2021 and the country now plans to ramp up gas production by 82% in the next three years. Romania is one of the most energy-independent countries in the EU, and is planning to go completely autonomous, gas-wise. Pivotal to it is its Neptune Deep offshore project. It's expected to become operational in 2027 and is aiming to double Romanian gas production.
