Europe’s closest ally is in bed with its worst enemy. Now what?
How did things get so bad, so fast? Europe’s leaders and officials have been blindsided by a staggering collapse in American support for Ukraine in the past week. Many still cannot understand why US President Donald Trump has turned so furiously on Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, parroting the vitriolic disinformation usually heard from the Kremlin. Leaders on the continent weren’t part of the Russia-US talks this week. They don’t know when the US will present a proposed peace deal to Kyiv, or make good on its threat to turn its back on the conflict. And they don’t know what will happen next.
Farmers block traffic with tractors, scuffle with police in Greece’s second largest city
Protesting farmers briefly clashed with police in Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki, late Wednesday after attempting to breach security cordons near a venue where Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was speaking. There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests. More than 1,000 protesters from central Greece traveled to the northern city, accompanied by a convoy of about 50 tractors. Displaying black flags and flashing emergency lights, they used the vehicles to block central roads in Thessaloniki during the night-time rally.
Slovakia’s Fico secures more ministries in a deal with coalition partners
The three parties of Slovakia’s ruling coalition said Wednesday they have agreed on a reshuffle to stabilize the government, in a move boosting the power of the Smer (Direction) party of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. According to the agreement, the coalition’s two junior partners — Hlas, or Voice, party and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party — will give up control of one ministry each to Smer. With the addition of the ministries overseeing Investments, Regional Development and Information and Tourism and Sports, Smer will have control of nine ministries, Hlas will have six and the Slovak National Party two.
Two business leaders in Turkey are questioned after they criticize the government
Prosecutors questioned two Turkish business leaders Wednesday after they delivered recent scathing criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government amid an intensifying crackdown on dissenting voices. Orhan Turan, the president of the Turkish Industry and Business Association, TUSIAD, and Omer Aras, the chairman of the group’s advisory council, appeared before prosecutors as part of an investigation into allegations of spreading misleading information and attempting to influence judicial proceedings, Sozcu newspaper and other media reported.
Leader of Canada’s trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions gets 3 months house arrest
One of the most prominent figures from Canada’s trucker protests against COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 was sentenced to three months of house arrest on Wednesday. Pat King, 47, was found guilty in November of five criminal charges including mischief and disobeying a court order. He faced up to 10 years in prison. In its ruling Wednesday, an Ontario Superior Court judge gave King nine months credit for time already spent in custody before and during his trial. On top of the house arrest, he will have to complete 100 hours of community service at a food bank or men’s shelter.
Young voters are powering the rise of Germany’s far-right AfD party
On a wet evening in Suhl, in the former East Germany, a smattering of youthful faces were among hundreds lining up to hear from an unlikely idol - Björn Höcke, one of the most controversial figures in the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Höcke, a former history teacher, has been found guilty of using Nazi terminology in a speech and has faced criticism for his views even within the AfD, seen as a pariah by Germany’s mainstream parties. This mattered little though at the non-descript hall tucked away in a deserted shopping center in Suhl. When asked about his popularity among young people and if he is a good role model, he was clear in his answer.
Mexico president says her government requested US surveillance drone flights
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that surveillance drone flights by the U.S. government over Mexico are occurring in collaboration with and at the request of her government. They come as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has increased pressure on Mexico to do more to stop the production of the synthetic opioid fentanyl that is smuggled north to the United States.
Sinkhole opens up on the main street of an English village
Residents in an English village were kept out of their homes Wednesday as experts tried to shore up a large sinkhole that swallowed up parts of the main street up to the edge of at least two residential buildings. Surrey County officials declared a major incident Tuesday after the hole opened up on Godstone High Street in the town about 20 miles (32 kilometers) south of London. The sinkhole likely was caused by a water main that burst under the road, said Philip Collins, the deputy dean of engineering at Brunel University of London.
Netanyahu orders West Bank military operation after Israel bus blasts
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered Israel’s military to conduct an operation in the occupied West Bank after three empty buses exploded in a suspected terror attack near Tel Aviv on Thursday. No casualties were reported and there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blasts, which occurred when explosive devices planted on the empty vehicles detonated in quick succession in the cities of Bat Yam and Holon, south of Israel’s financial center. In Bat Yam, two bombs exploded on buses parked in a depot, authorities said. A third blast was reported in Holon from an explosive device planted on a third bus.
Israel says Bibas boys were among the dead bodies returned by Hamas – but not their mother
Israel says it has identified two of the dead bodies returned by Hamas on Thursday as Ariel and Kfir Bibas – but tests show another body that was expected to be that of their mother Shiri is not hers – and does not match any other Israeli hostage. The Israeli military also said forensic evidence and intelligence suggested the boys were murdered. “This is a violation of utmost severity by the Hamas terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages. We demand that Hamas return Shiri home along with all our hostages,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.