Latest news with #EuropeanSummit
Roya News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
European summit condemns Gaza crisis, demands full blockade lift
European Summit strongly condemned the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, highlighting the worsening famine and the large number of civilian casualties resulting from ongoing military operations and the blockade imposed on the territory. In their statement, EU leaders called on 'Israel' to fully lift the blockade and allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid, stressing the need to ensure a safe and regular flow of assistance to civilians in Gaza. The summit also denounced the recent escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories, including settler violence and settlement expansion, as well as the continued 'Israeli' military operations in the West Bank. The leaders emphasized that these violations undermine prospects for peace and stability in the region. Furthermore, the statement announced that the European Summit will discuss a report in July assessing 'Israel's' compliance with the partnership agreement it has with the EU, amid growing concerns over Tel Aviv's obligations to international law and human rights.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
No sequins or dancing at EU summit - but it'll be an extravaganza nonetheless
Stand by for a dazzling European event. Cameras everywhere. Famous faces. Red carpets. No, not Eurovision in all its noisy glory, but the first European summit of what the prime minister hopes will be a new era, where governments around the continent concentrate not on instant verdicts – douze points or nul points – but on creating long-term relationships that make life easier. The UK is hoping to show that just as you don't have to be European to enjoy Eurovision, you don't have to be in the European Union (EU) to get some of the benefits of the club. Expectations of Monday's summit are high. One minister joked they hope you'll "Remember Monday" – get it? It's a moment to fix what they consider were the mistakes of Boris Johnson's Brexit deal. It's the first formal summit for European leaders since Brexit, and Downing Street is going for the full extravaganza: the grandeur of London's Lancaster House, a warship brought up the Thames to be shown off and used as a lunch venue, then, it's hoped, even a press conference in the Downing Street Rose Garden. "It's clearly designed for the telly – everyone will be there apart from the King and Paddington Bear," said a diplomatic source about the plans. The atmosphere is entirely different to the last time the UK and the EU circled each other at a formal summit. The two main negotiators – Nick Thomas-Symonds for the UK, who'll join us in the studio on Sunday, and the EU's Maros Sefcovic – have struck a friendly partnership, sinking wine (Slovakian reds) and whisky (Welsh). What's the actual point of the summit? In private, government insiders are not expecting a giant whizz-bang new deal with our closest trading partners. The public gave Labour permission to improve the existing Brexit agreement in the general election but not totally rewrite it, and the EU doesn't have the mandate from its members to draft something totally new either. Be on guard for any declarations of a heroic or profound shift. But it's a significant moment nonetheless, after all those years of bitterness and brinkmanship, and the government hopes there will be meaningful agreements, particularly on defence, opening up billions of euros to UK firms, and tidying up some of the existing cooperation between the UK and EU countries on security. Expect an easing of the admin hassles Brexit created for farmers and the food industry – sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements, or SPS to use the horrendous jargon. There will be important commitments – diplomatic language at least – on energy, on migration, agriculture, on data sharing, the list goes on. My colleague Damian Grammaticas has taken a closer look at some of the issues here. Fishing shouldn't block defence pact, says EU chief UK edges towards youth visa deal with EU Long-awaited EU border system expected for October In the classic tradition of UK-EU negotiations, though, there is heavy briefing from sources on both sides that it's "going to the wire". Will there be a deal to allow young Brits and EU citizens to live and work more easily in each other's countries? As I write I'm told only an "agreement in principle", not the real final deal, will be ready for Monday. The EU was pushing for stays as long as four years to be allowed, the UK not contemplating more than one or two. Will the French (who sources are referring to when they talk diplomatically about "coastal states") relent on demands for more protection for their fishing fleets in return for giving the UK the kind of favours it wants? "The French have been trying to link fish to lots of things," a source close to the talks says – it might be five years since we left the EU, but maybe the more things change, the more things stay the same. Indeed, just like on so many occasions during the Brexit wrangles, as we go on air this weekend, EU ambassadors will be gathering at their COREPER (Comité des représentants permanents) meeting to go through the agreement. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. And even then, agreements in principle will leave many details to be hammered out in the weeks and months to come. For the UK government, agreement of any sort means "we'll have scored the hat trick", says one minister. No one in government would dream that Monday will mean an end to their domestic woes, but a trade deal with India, an agreement with the US, and then the EU gives evidence of progress, and insiders hope it could build on a sense that Starmer's operation and the economy has picked up some pace. Sign up for the Off Air with Laura K newsletter to get Laura Kuenssberg's expert insight and insider stories every week, emailed directly to you. "It's not just about the footnotes of a trade agreement – it's also about the vibes," says a government source. Put three deals together with better growth figures last week and maybe, just maybe, the doom generated in part by Downing Street itself is fading. But not so fast! It will be imperative to look at the footnotes of any text that emerges on Monday. Cash and the power of the EU courts were both toxic issues during the Brexit era – so what extra cash might the UK be asked to contribute if it's joining in with some EU schemes? Access won't come for free, though I'm told the UK would not contribute to the overall EU budget. And to what extent will the UK be expected to accept authority of EU rules? There are clear political sensitivities around any sense the government is giving too much back to Brussels. Ministers hope to be able to outline extra cooperation to combat illegal migration, and to present the changes as practical measures to make the existing arrangements work better: not the kind of deal that would excite Remainers' hearts, nor anger Brexiteers. Keir Starmer's promise of a "reset" with the EU may not quicken the pulse, but his team hopes that it will be "another delivery moment" – in other words, another chance for them to say to a cynical and obviously disappointed public: look, we said we'd get a more sensible deal with the EU after all that Brexit hassle, and that's what we've done. The irony is that the man who was once seen as Labour's Remainer-in-Chief is now, as prime minister, trying to fill in the blanks and smooth the many wrinkles of the Conservatives' original Brexit deal. "It might be a broken record," says a diplomatic source, "but at least they are trying to fix it". Monday might not have the sequins and screeching choruses of tonight's Eurovision, the inexplicable dance routines or pyrotechnics, but it will be a show no less. The source adds: "Maybe it will be Starmer who will drive some sort of Humvee that says 'got Brexit done' on the side." Is Britain really inching back towards the EU? Sir John Curtice: The map that shows Reform's triumph was much more than a protest vote Labour to unveil big immigration plans next week - but will they win back votes? BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Laura Kuenssberg on UK-EU summit: What to expect on trade, immigration and defence
Stand by for a dazzling European event. Cameras everywhere. Famous faces. Red not Eurovision in all its noisy glory, but the first European summit of what the prime minister hopes will be a new era, where governments around the continent concentrate not on instant verdicts – douze points or nul points – but on creating long-term relationships that make life UK is hoping to show that just as you don't have to be European to enjoy Eurovision, you don't have to be in the European Union (EU) to get some of the benefits of the of Monday's summit are high. One minister joked they hope you'll "Remember Monday" – get it? It's a moment to fix what they consider were the mistakes of Boris Johnson's Brexit the first formal summit for European leaders since Brexit, and Downing Street is going for the full extravaganza: the grandeur of London's Lancaster House, a warship brought up the Thames to be shown off and used as a lunch venue, then, it's hoped, even a press conference in the Downing Street Rose Garden. "It's clearly designed for the telly – everyone will be there apart from the King and Paddington Bear," said a diplomatic source about the atmosphere is entirely different to the last time the UK and the EU circled each other at a formal summit. The two main negotiators – Nick Thomas-Symonds for the UK, who'll join us in the studio on Sunday, and the EU's Maros Sefcovic – have struck a friendly partnership, sinking wine (Slovakian reds) and whisky (Welsh).What's the actual point of the summit? In private, government insiders are not expecting a giant whizz-bang new deal with our closest trading partners. The public gave Labour permission to improve the existing Brexit agreement in the general election but not totally rewrite it, and the EU doesn't have the mandate from its members to draft something totally new either. Be on guard for any declarations of a heroic or profound shift. But it's a significant moment nonetheless, after all those years of bitterness and brinkmanship, and the government hopes there will be meaningful agreements, particularly on defence, opening up billions of euros to UK firms, and tidying up some of the existing cooperation between the UK and EU countries on an easing of the admin hassles Brexit created for farmers and the food industry – sanitary and phytosanitary arrangements, or SPS to use the horrendous will be important commitments – diplomatic language at least – on energy, on migration, agriculture, on data sharing, the list goes on. My colleague Damian Grammaticas has taken a closer look at some of the issues here. In the classic tradition of UK-EU negotiations, though, there is heavy briefing from sources on both sides that it's "going to the wire". Will there be a deal to allow young Brits and EU citizens to live and work more easily in each other's countries? As I write I'm told only an "agreement in principle", not the real final deal, will be ready for Monday. The EU was pushing for stays as long as four years to be allowed, the UK not contemplating more than one or the French (who sources are referring to when they talk diplomatically about "coastal states") relent on demands for more protection for their fishing fleets in return for giving the UK the kind of favours it wants? "The French have been trying to link fish to lots of things," a source close to the talks says – it might be five years since we left the EU, but maybe the more things change, the more things stay the same. Indeed, just like on so many occasions during the Brexit wrangles, as we go on air this weekend, EU ambassadors will be gathering at their COREPER (Comité des représentants permanents) meeting to go through the agreement. Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed. And even then, agreements in principle will leave many details to be hammered out in the weeks and months to the UK government, agreement of any sort means "we'll have scored the hat trick", says one minister. No one in government would dream that Monday will mean an end to their domestic woes, but a trade deal with India, an agreement with the US, and then the EU gives evidence of progress, and insiders hope it could build on a sense that Starmer's operation and the economy has picked up some pace. Sign up for the Off Air with Laura K newsletter to get Laura Kuenssberg's expert insight and insider stories every week, emailed directly to you. "It's not just about the footnotes of a trade agreement – it's also about the vibes," says a government source. Put three deals together with better growth figures last week and maybe, just maybe, the doom generated in part by Downing Street itself is not so fast! It will be imperative to look at the footnotes of any text that emerges on Monday. Cash and the power of the EU courts were both toxic issues during the Brexit era – so what extra cash might the UK be asked to contribute if it's joining in with some EU schemes? Access won't come for free, though I'm told the UK would not contribute to the overall EU budget. And to what extent will the UK be expected to accept authority of EU rules?There are clear political sensitivities around any sense the government is giving too much back to Brussels. Ministers hope to be able to outline extra cooperation to combat illegal migration, and to present the changes as practical measures to make the existing arrangements work better: not the kind of deal that would excite Remainers' hearts, nor anger Brexiteers. Keir Starmer's promise of a "reset" with the EU may not quicken the pulse, but his team hopes that it will be "another delivery moment" – in other words, another chance for them to say to a cynical and obviously disappointed public: look, we said we'd get a more sensible deal with the EU after all that Brexit hassle, and that's what we've irony is that the man who was once seen as Labour's Remainer-in-Chief is now, as prime minister, trying to fill in the blanks and smooth the many wrinkles of the Conservatives' original Brexit deal. "It might be a broken record," says a diplomatic source, "but at least they are trying to fix it".Monday might not have the sequins and screeching choruses of tonight's Eurovision, the inexplicable dance routines or pyrotechnics, but it will be a show no less. The source adds: "Maybe it will be Starmer who will drive some sort of Humvee that says 'got Brexit done' on the side." BBC InDepth is the home on the website and app for the best analysis, with fresh perspectives that challenge assumptions and deep reporting on the biggest issues of the day. And we showcase thought-provoking content from across BBC Sounds and iPlayer too. You can send us your feedback on the InDepth section by clicking on the button below.
Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Quiz: Match the AI baby to the world leader
European leaders burst into laughter at a summit in Albania, as AI-generated videos of them as babies were projected onto a giant screen. The light-hearted clip at the start of the European Political Community (EPC) meeting featured presidents, prime ministers and European organisation chiefs reimagined as small children, while keeping their distinctive features. Some babies were shown wearing glasses, others had beards, and some had earrings. Only one male leader, shown as a toddler, was not wearing a suit. Each of them was heard saying: 'Welcome to Albania!' with giddy, childish enthusiasm in their native language. But can you work out which AI baby was which leader? Take our quiz and watch the leaders react at the bottom of this article. The EPC is the brainchild of Emmanuel Macron, the French president. It was founded in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, bringing together members of the European Union and 20 other countries. Ukraine was the dominant issue at the summit on Friday, held in the weighty context of meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, along with the issue of migration. But before the serious talks began, Edi Rama, Albania's 6ft 7in leader, did everything to underscore his love of Europe and lighten the mood. 'It's true that I am the tallest among them, but I lead a country that is one of the smallest, and for us it's already a big honour to have the opportunity to host this summit,' he said afterwards. The opening video prompted a relative rarity in the staid setting of European diplomacy – laughter and big smiles from the crowd. Europe's leaders turned into babies during the welcoming ceremony of a political summit in Albania. Read more about the summit here ➡️ — Reuters (@Reuters) May 16, 2025
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) Is Gaining This Week?
We recently published a list of . In this article, we are going to take a look at where Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) stands against other defense stocks that are gaining this week. America's defense sector has been shaky since Trump's return to the White House, amid mixed statements on military expenditure in the early days of his second stint. Shares fell sharply last month after he hinted at cutting defense spending in the future. They wobbled again following his recent contentious spat with Zelensky at the Oval Office. READ ALSO: 13 Best Defense Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires and 10 Best Large Cap Defense Stocks to Buy Now. According to a report in the Financial Times on February 24, shares of the six largest American defense companies have fallen 4% since the start of Trump's second term. Whereas, Europe's top defense groups have returned gains of around 40% during the same period. Several Korean companies have also benefited from Europe's defense splurge. European defense stocks have rallied this year as governments faced pressures to increase military spending. The momentum has further picked up after the conservative victory in Germany, and the European Summit in London, where leaders from the EU and NATO met to express their support for Ukraine. While US defense stocks have missed the global rally, Citi analyst, Jason Gursky, is urging investors that this is the right time to buy them. Here is what he wrote in a note to clients on Wednesday: 'We recognize the world order is evolving under the current President, perhaps to a multi-polar one in which three countries control spheres of influence over the Americas, Europe and Asia. However, we don't view that world to be any less dangerous or one that decreases the need to acquire the tools of deterrence.' Trump's recent statement on resurrecting American military and commercial shipbuilding has been well-received. Shares of a major naval defense contractor have surged over the past week, following the announcement. The US president has vowed to fix the industry, which he sees as vital to national security, given the strategic competition with China. Let's now head over to the list of defense stocks that are gaining this week. Please note that the stocks listed are based on one week's performance. Our analysis does not reflect the prospects of the company. Their share price could go high or low in the future, depending on the external market conditions, industry-specific challenges, and the company's capabilities. Additional research and caution are advised before making investment decisions. For this article, we went through screeners to see how stocks in the aerospace and defense industry performed over the past week (March 3-7). From there, we picked the top 10 stocks with the highest percentage gains in share price during this period. All data is as of the close of business on Friday, March 7, 2025. Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter's strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here). A military aircraft in flight, showing the strength of the company's combat & air mobility capability. Weekly Gains: 5.17% Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) is one of the largest defense contractors in the world. The company specializes in the research, design, and development of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The stock has gained 5.17% over the past week, following a March 3 report in Reuters about Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) planning to unveil a new, low-cost cruise missile priced at $150,000 with a range of 800 kilometers, as the company works to counter Chinese ambitions in the Pacific by offering affordable weaponry. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) was up by 2.63% on Friday after Matthew Akers from Wells Fargo raised the stock's price target to $476 per share, up from $468 previously. However, the analyst maintained his Hold rating for LMT. According to analysts, the revision stemmed from a growing interest in American defense stocks from abroad. Overall, LMT ranks 9th on our list of defense stocks that are gaining this week. While we acknowledge the potential of defense companies, our conviction lies in the belief that AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns, and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than LMT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.
