Latest news with #pro-Ukraine
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican congressman says Ukraine must be armed to the teeth and Russian assets confiscated
Republican Representative Don Bacon, a moderate member of the US House of Representatives, has rejected the idea of peace talks with Russia following Moscow's large-scale weekend attacks on Ukraine and called for decisive action. Source: Bacon on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Bacon, known for his pro-Ukraine stance, was commenting on reports regarding the number of drones and missiles Russia used to attack Ukraine on the nights of 23-24 and 24-25 May. "It is a time for honesty. Peace talks are having zero effect on Putin," Bacon emphasised. He stated that the Kremlin is continuing its aggression with the aim of subjugating Ukraine and will not stop until it encounters firm resistance. "His [Putin's – ed.] goal is to dominate Ukraine & he won't stop until he realises he cannot win," the congressman added. He urged the United States and its allies to act resolutely: "The US & Allies must arm Ukraine to the teeth, sanction Russia to the max, & confiscate the US$300 billion in overseas Russian assets". Background: Bacon is one of the most consistent supporters of Ukraine among US lawmakers. In March 2025, he posted an article in The New York Times criticising what he called the Trump administration's overly soft stance on Russia. On 25 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the international community, particularly the US, to speak out and increase pressure on the Kremlin. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarína Mathernová said Russia is laughing at the world and mocking US attempts to broker peace. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has also called for "unbearable pressure" on Putin after the latest airstrike. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft is blocking employees from sending emails with the word 'Palestine'
Microsoft (MSFT) has reportedly implemented internal email filters that restrict messages containing terms such as 'Palestine,' 'Gaza,' and 'genocide.' The move, which Microsoft described as part of an effort to limit mass, non-work-related messages, has sparked accusations of censorship and bias — particularly amid rising employee protests over the company's contracts with the Israeli government. Employee activist group No Azure for Apartheid (NOAA) posted Microsoft's email restrictions on social media, saying people were being blocked from sending messages related to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. NOAA has organized around Microsoft's role in providing Azure cloud services, including AI tools, to Israeli government entities, which the group says could be used in military operations. Microsoft has maintained that internal and external reviews have found no evidence that its tools have been used to harm civilians in Gaza. Microsoft confirmed to The Verge that it implemented restrictions to limit 'politically focused emails.' In a statement provided to Quartz, a Microsoft spokesperson said, 'Sending unsolicited email to large numbers of employees at work is not appropriate. We have an established forum for employees who have opted into a variety of issues for this reason. Over the past couple of days, a number of emails have been sent to tens of thousands of employees across the company and we have taken measures to try and reduce those emails to those that have not opted in.' Employees have previously said that pro-Ukraine or DEI-related mass emails were allowed, while their pro-Palestine messages were blocked. Microsoft has operated an R&D center in Israel since 1991 (the company's first such center outside the U.S.) and is a major investor in Israel's startup and cybersecurity ecosystem. The controversy around Microsoft's ties to Israel's government further escalated this week during the Microsoft Build developer conference when employees disrupted addresses by company leadership in order to protest Microsoft's policies and contracts. One employee, Joe Lopez, was terminated after disrupting CEO Satya Nadella during a keynote and sending an email to employees where he said he had to take action because of the 'silence' of top brass on the company's links to the Israeli government. Lopez accused the company of a 'bold-faced lie' about how Azure is being used in Gaza. This isn't Microsoft's first clash with employees over its government contracts. In recent months, over 1,500 workers have signed an open letter demanding the company end ties with Israeli defense agencies, echoing similar movements at Google (GOOGL) and Amazon (AMZN). For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Channel 4
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Channel 4
As Trump and Putin posture, Europe tries to show some courage
'My whole life is like deals. One big deal. And if I thought that President Putin did not want to get this over with, I wouldn't even be talking about it.' Donald Trump believes that there is room for manoeuvre following his two-hour phone call with Vladimir Putin regarding the war in Ukraine. He proudly announced the start of negotiations 'toward a ceasefire' and even talked of having the Vatican City host the two leaders of Ukraine and Russia. Clearly, he's already thinking way ahead: of the photo ops and symbolism – even the chance of a Nobel Peace Prize perhaps? But Mr Deal-maker was making a bigger deal than the reality, not surprisingly. The US, the EU and Ukraine want a 30-day pause in fighting, something Putin has still not agreed to – simply stating that he was ready to work on a 'memorandum on a possible future peace agreement'. Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed Putin was simply trying to buy time, with EU foreign and defence ministers unimpressed with the Russian leader saying all sides needed to show 'compromise' but not showing any of it himself. Today, the EU and the UK announced further sanctions against Moscow. As Trump and Putin posture, Europe is clearly trying to show some mettle. They didn't wait for Washington's input on those new sanctions – and European leaders are also pushing ahead with a new, more aggressive stance against Israel and its actions in Gaza. Is the EU finding its voice after being in Trump's shadow since the start of the year? Perhaps they feel a sense of relief after the pro-EU, pro-Ukraine moderate Nicușor Dan easily triumphed against the far-right nationalist and former football hooligan George Simion in Romania's election for president last weekend. The EU flags flew triumphantly in Bucharest, but Simion had a warning in defeat. 'We may have lost a battle, but we will certainly not lose the war,' he said, as both he and the Kremlin cast doubts on the election, given the first presidential election was annulled by the constitutional court due to alleged Russian Moscow meddling. The next battle for Europe is in Poland, where on 1 June, the mayor of Warsaw, the centrist Rafal Trzaskowski, will face off against nationalist Karol Nawrocki. Trzaskowski won on Sunday in the first round, but only narrowly, and given many voted for far-right candidates that did not make the next round, Nawrocki will be hoping those voters flock to him. 'Not only are we the frontline in a way, but we are the other side of the coin from Ukraine.' – Salome Zourabichvili With all eyes on these elections, many have forgotten the ongoing situation in Georgia , where anti-government and pro-EU demonstrations have taken place daily since last year. 'Not only are we the frontline in a way, but we are the other side of the coin from Ukraine,' Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, told Channel 4 News. She left office last year but claims her replacement and the current administration are illegitimate because of alleged Russian interference in elections last October. 'In Georgia, Russia is testing an alternate strategy to military intervention (after invading Georgia in 2008). One of the objectives of Russia, even through the Ukraine war, is to control the Black Sea. So, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, and Georgia are essential. 'The experiment that is in Georgia is to see whether through democratic instruments you can also control a country. And that means you use elections, you use propaganda, you use new technologies, artificial intelligence. That is not costly. And those are the things that an old KGB leader probably understands better than military affairs.' 'I think that it's not the time to be silent because really we are a test. Russia is looking.' – Salome Zourabichvili Last year's vote ushered in a new prime minister and president, with the former suspending EU accession talks. Hence months of protests ever since, with Zourabichvili attempting to drum up support abroad. She talks about a frustration that the EU is not taking notice of Georgia more. 'I think the European Union has to be much more clear in its policy towards Georgia. Basically, we've had silence. I know that sometimes when there is no clear policy they prefer to be silent. I think that it's not the time to be silent because really we are a test. Russia is looking. Russia will take the lessons of what is happening in Georgia and we cannot be alone at this time.' And the warning is not just one about democracy. Recent satellite images have shown the Russians bolstering their military infrastructure near to the Finnish border. The concern from many in the Baltics and across eastern Europe has been that whatever happens in Ukraine, Moscow will eventually regroup and amass all along Nato's eastern flank. President Zelenskyy today accused Putin of biding his time in the war. What is he waiting for? Further hybrid warfare tactics to bear fruit in European elections – or even causing further disruption in the Baltic Sea? It's notable that the new Russian sanctions today are meant to focus on Moscow's 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers that have been accused of damaging underwater energy cables in recent months. Or is Putin simply readying for a favourable agreement in Ukraine that does indeed allow him to take the fight to Nato? Watch more here : Trump: Ukraine-Russia to 'immediately' start ceasefire negotiations Israel partially lifts Gaza aid blockade and launches new offensive East vs west? Romania's biggest vote since the fall of communism
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cannes Makes it Official: Nudity and 'Voluminous Outfits' Are Banned on Red Carpet
Nipples and unruly dresses are out in Cannes. Ahead of the start of the 2025 edition, the Cannes Film Festival has issued an updated red carpet dress code that effectively bans full nudity and 'voluminous' ensembles. 'For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the red carpet, as well as in any other area of the festival. Voluminous outfits, in particular those with a large train, that hinder the proper flow of traffic of guests and complicate seating in the theater are not permitted,' per the festival on its official charter. 'The festival welcoming teams will be obligated to prohibit red carpet access to anyone not respecting these rules.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Robert De Niro Slams Trump as "America's Philistine President" in Powerful Cannes Speech 'Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent' Lands at CW Mads Mikkelsen to Star in 'Sirius,' Directorial Debut From Christopher Nolan's Editor Lee Smith The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the Cannes press office for additional comment and a festival rep confirms that the charter was just updated to reflect 'certain rules that have long been in effect.' The goal of the update is 'not to regulate attire per se but to prohibit full nudity on the carpet' in accordance with the institutional framework of the festival as well as French law, per the Cannes rep. Amid the sheer dress explosion, there have been many nipple-baring ensembles worn at Cannes in recent years by stars like Elle Fanning, Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, among many others. In 2022, a topless woman was escorted off the red carpet after she removed her dress in a pro-Ukraine protest. It's not immediately clear if there was one specific instance that led officials to update the charter, though red carpet nudity has become a hot topic of conversation in the wake of a stunt pulled by Kanye West and wife Bianca Censori at the Grammys that found her posing for photographers in a transparent sheath dress that effectively saw her posing nude. (As for the voluminous part, it's hard not to think of what Tems wore to the Oscars in 2023, a cloud-like white gown that obstructed the view of guests behind her in the Dolby Theatre.) Cannes security officials have notoriously been strict when it comes to dress codes at the Palais, specifically for screenings at the glamorous Grand Théâtre Lumière, which routinely hosts the auteur and A-list-packed world premieres. Black tie and evening wear is required for those screenings — held in the nighttime from 7-10 p.m. — and guidance suggests options like tuxedos and long dresses or 'little black dress, cocktail dress, dark-colored pantsuit, a dressy top with black pants; elegant shoes and sandals with or without a heel; a black or navy-blue suit with bow-tie or dark-colored tie. Tote-bags, backpacks or large bags are prohibited.' Controversy ensued a decade ago when multiple female attendees were turned away at the Palais for not wearing heels ahead of a screening of the Cate Blanchett starrer Carol. Movie stars like Emily Blunt, who was in town for Sicario, called the situation 'very disappointing,' leading others to show their dissatisfaction with the unwritten rule, which was relaxed over the course of the 2015 festival. Longtime festival chief Thierry Frémaux downplayed the fracas by calling it an unfounded rumor. Still, Frémaux has worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the festival by focusing some of those efforts on the look, feel and vibe of the red carpet. The festival banned selfies in 2015 (with Frémaux calling the practice 'ridiculous and grotesque') and security officials have always acted swiftly to remove protestors or anyone attempting to cause a scene for personal benefit. The new ban on nudity and voluminous outfits aligns with such codes, but it begs two questions: How strictly will the dress code be enforced, and will A-list stars and/or models be booted for flouting the rules? While 'elegant shoes' are required, megastars Julia Roberts and Kristen Stewart have both removed their heels to glide up the Palais steps barefoot. Furthermore, it wouldn't be a surprise to see relaxed rules for guests representing any of the festival's partners from brands like Chopard, L'Oreal and Kering. Some bold-faced name ambassadors from the aforementioned brands have been known to turn up at the Palais in voluminous or sheer ensembles. That means more eyes than normal will be watching the red carpet and what wild antics ensue during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 13-24. Best of The Hollywood Reporter From 'Lady in the Lake' to 'It Ends With Us': 29 New and Upcoming Book Adaptations in 2024 Meet the Superstars Who Glam Up Hollywood's A-List Rosie O'Donnell on Ellen, Madonna, Trump and 40 Years in the Queer Spotlight
Channel 4
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Channel 4
East vs west? Romania's biggest vote since the fall of communism
Europe seems to love an existential election. There's one happening right now in Poland, at the same time as one here in Romania. It's the most important vote since the 1989 revolution, one voter tells me, as she proudly poses for a photo holding a leaflet for the candidate Nicușor Dan. He's the mayor of Bucharest, and is seen by her as a safe pair of pro-EU, pro-Ukraine hands, as opposed to the populist George Simion. This is the outsider election. Both candidates in this second-round presidential run-off are not from the main political parties that have dominated Romanian politics since the fall of communism. That's because there is, as with elsewhere on the continent and beyond, a frustration with the status quo and politics as usual. People want change, but there are two very different types of change on the ballot this Sunday. Simion has talked about bashing the globalists and bringing Donald Trump's MAGA agenda to Romania. While he and his team say he is not against the EU, he has been touring Europe this week and meeting many Eurosceptics. He appeared at a rally in Poland with their nationalist presidential candidate, Karol Nawrocki, and he met Matteo Salvini, Italy's deputy prime minister, with Simion speaking about uniting forces to defund EU institutions and take back power from unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. And so last week, thousands took to the streets of the Romanian capital waving EU flags in support of Dan, who fully backs the union and has said he will continue to support Ukraine , unlike Simion. Polls suggest a tight race, but Dan's campaign believes it has the momentum. With Simion off around the continent, he's missed a number of TV debates, allowing Dan to make his appeal to the people almost unchallenged. Of course, Simion's team argue that given Romania's diaspora in Europe are a key voting bloc, he's shoring up their support while he's out of the country. Looming over this election is Russia , because this second-round vote was meant to take place last year. In the first round in November, there was a shock result: the winner was the pro-Russian candidate, Călin Georgescu. He'd been polling in the single digits, yet came first with 23 per cent. So questions were raised and reports began to emerge about his surprising popularity late in the day on TikTok. A declassified intelligence report alleged meddling from Moscow and so just before the second-round run-off, Romania's constitutional court cancelled the election, citing foreign interference. Mădălina Voinea combats disinformation at a think tank called Expert Forum. She says the November result involved internal and external interference and that the tactics were a copy and paste approach used by the Russians in other elections, such as in neighbouring Moldova. But Voinea says that the annulment of the last election was not explained properly to the Romanian people. 'Annulling the elections, in my opinion, only created a vicious circle that we see now even more support for the far right, almost doubling the votes for the candidate.' Indeed, with Georgescu now barred from running, Simion has hoovered up his supporters, appearing alongside Georgescu when he voted in the first round. Simion, who won 41 per cent of the vote, has even suggested the pro-Kremlin Georgescu could be his prime minister. With Simion away, I spoke with Ramona Bruynseels, a member of his party who sits in Romania's parliament. She denied any pro-Russian elements among her group. 'I would like to send a very, very clear message,' she tells me. 'Romania will stay in the European Union. Romania just wants to have a more powerful voice in the EU. And Romania wants its national identity to be respected.' She said Simion stood for 'family, faith, liberty, and democracy'. But despite her reassurances, I asked about Simion's anti-Ukraine stance. 'It's important for us to see what the United States will do. But if we were to listen to the Romanian people, we would stop, straightaway, any kind of involvement in Ukraine. And this is because Romanians are afraid that any kind of involvement exposes Romania, and we don't want surprises like the war being extended or Romania being attacked.' 'Annulling the elections, in my opinion, only created a vicious circle that we see now even more support for the far right, almost doubling the votes for the candidate.' – Mădălina Voinea That's the stance that worries leaders in Brussels, as well as people in Bucharest. Iulian Fota, a former national security adviser, has serious concerns about a Simion presidency. 'I don't want to say that Romania will make an alliance with Russia, but we will open our ear to them'. He thinks that even if Simion's team plays down their rhetoric around the EU and Moscow, he will be unpredictable once in office. 'He will be tempted to dilute our relations with the EU, he will ask for all kinds of concessions, he will try to reverse some policies,' Fota says, warning that Simion is all about ideology, instead of 'better economic policies, better social policies, and it's difficult to imagine how we can get that without European participation and support'. That final point is something even Simion supporters can get behind. About two hours outside of the capital, I met voters in Călărași. Here you can see the areas where Communism feels closer in time than the EU era, with crumbling apartment blocks. This is the outsider election. Both candidates in this second-round presidential run-off are not from the main political parties that have dominated Romanian politics since the fall of communism. I chat to some men passing the day playing the tile game Rummikub, which was created by a Romanian. Sandu tells me that in the past, there was the rich, the middle class, and the poor. 'Now, the middle class no longer exists. It's just the rich and the poor.' Has the EU been good then for Romania, I ask. 'No', he says. Another voter, Aurelia, says she's going with Simion, because 'he seems closer to our peasant soul. Because we are peasants, we work hard.' But even here, some doubt Simion. Ion tells me he's with Dan because if Simion wins, 'we won't have justice anymore. It was already weak, but we'll lose our rights. And this Simion will be a danger for the country.' 'Now, the middle class no longer exists. It's just the rich and the poor.' – Sandu The big question ahead of the vote this Sunday, is what role misinformation will play. When I managed to grab a few words with Dan before one of his debates, I asked him whether he was concerned about Russian interference. 'I don't think so, there was some influence in the past, on small sites.' But is Russia still a threat to Romania, I ask? 'It could be.' Read more: Zelenskyy accuses Putin of sending 'junior' officials for talks Trump and Qatar sign $200 billion plane deal Putin wants 'direct talks' with Ukraine to end war
