Latest news with #EuropeanCountries
LBCI
27-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Russia accuses Ukraine of escalating air attacks to thwart peace talks
Moscow on Tuesday accused Kyiv of increasing air barrages with the aim of disrupting peace talks and said that its own massive assaults on Ukraine -- which killed 13 people at the weekend -- were a "response" to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia. "Kyiv, with the support of some European countries, has taken a series of provocative steps to thwart negotiations initiated by Russia," Moscow's defense ministry said, adding that the Russian army was striking Ukraine "in response to mass Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian regions." AFP
Bloomberg
21-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Trump-Wary Europe's Defense Spending Boosts Space Startups
Greetings from Princeton, New Jersey. European countries are considering big defense spending increases due to worries about the reliability of the US under President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk. This self-sufficiency drive is opening doors for the continent's space startups. But first ... Three things you need to know today:
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi trade surplus hits $8bln in February 2025
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's trade balance recorded a surplus of SR 30.6 billion during February 2025, achieving a monthly growth of 44.6% with an increase of more than SR9 billion, compared to January, when the trade surplus amounted to SR21.1 billion. This was the highest in nine months, specifically since May 2024, in which a surplus of SR30.1 billion was recorded. According to preliminary data issued in Saudi Arabia's International Trade Bulletin, the total volume of international trade in February 2025 amounted to approximately SR156.9 billion, achieving an annual growth of 4% compared to an increase of more than SR1 billion, compared to February 2024, when it amounted to SR29.4 billion. Saudi Arabia's commodity exports amounted to about SR 93.7 billion, compared to SR63.2 billion, the value of commodity imports. Non-oil national exports amounted to about SR16.1 billion, representing 17.1% of the total exports, while oil exports recorded about SR67.6 billion, representing 72.1% of the total, while the value of re-exports amounted to about SR10 billion, representing 10.7% of the total exports. Asian countries group topped the list of importing groups for Saudi Arabia's exports, accounting for 73.7% of the total commodity exports, with a value exceeding SR69 billion, followed by the European countries group with a percentage of 12.5% and a value exceeding SR11 billion, then the African countries group with a percentage of 8.4% and a value exceeding SR7 billion. China ranked first among the countries importing Saudi Arabia's exports, with a percentage of 16.2% and a value of SR15.2 billion, followed by South Korea with a 10.1% and a value of SR9.5 billion, then the United Arab Emirates with a percentage of 9.8% and a value of SR9.2 billion. As for non-oil exports (including re-exports), they passed through (31) land, sea and air customs ports, and their initial value amounted to SR26.1billion, as King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh topped the customs ports with a value of SR3.2 billion, representing (12.4%) of the total, followed by Jeddah Islamic Port with a value of SR3.1 billion, representing 12% of the total. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Irish Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Ireland among six countries expressing ‘grave concern' over Israeli plans to occupy Gaza
The foreign ministers of six European countries, including Tánaiste Simon Harris , have signed a joint letter expressing 'grave concern' about Israeli plans for a prolonged occupation of parts of Gaza . The letter has been signed by the foreign ministers of Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Slovenia and Spain who say they strongly reject any territorial change in the Strip. They have written that reported plans for the military to take over large parts of the Gaza Strip for an extended time with the population of two million people being forced to move to the southern region of Rafah would mark 'a dangerous new escalation and jeopardising any prospects of a viable Two-State solution'. The joint letter represents is the first concerted response from European countries which express strong criticism and opposition to the plans unveiled by Israel over the course of last weekend. READ MORE 'A further military escalation in Gaza will only exacerbate an already catastrophic situation for the civilian Palestinian population and threaten the lives of the hostages that remain in captivity,' the ministers wrote. 'We firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza, including any scheme that would force or facilitate the permanent displacement of its population, which would be in violation of international law. 'We also strongly oppose a system that does not ensure that the entire population gets access to humanitarian aid. Gaza is an integral part of the State of Palestine, which belongs to the Palestinian people.' The ministers have also strongly criticised Israel for the blockade which has been in place since March 30th. They have said that despite repeated calls to lift those measures, Israel has 'instead further tightened, rather than eased, the measures'. They further have said: 'Together, we call on the Israeli authorities to show restraint. We further call on Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure the unhindered provision at scale of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. 'What is needed more urgently than ever is a resumption of a ceasefire, and the unconditional release of all hostages. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the two-state solution — Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,' it has concluded. The letter is signed by Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir of Iceland; Simon Harris; Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg; Espen Barth Eide of Norway; Tanja Fajon of Slovenia; and José Manuel Albares Bueno of Spain. On Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin accused Israel of a war crime over blocking aid from entering Gaza. Speaking at the Global Ireland summit in Dublin, he said it was 'simply wrong, in principle, and in law, to inflict hunger and suffering on a civilian population, whatever the circumstances'. 'This behaviour clearly constitutes a war crime,' he said. Mr Martin said it had been over 50 days since food, medicines, and other essential supplies had been allowed into the area.
