Tuesday

16th Apr 2024

Ticker

Dutch foreign minister resigns over fake Putin meeting

Dutch foreign minister Halbe Zijlstra resigned on Tuesday over false claims he held a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2006. Zijlstra said in 2016 that the meeting had taken place in Putin's dacha and that Putin spoke about plans for a 'greater Russia'. He admitted Monday that he was not at the dacha, had not met Putin, and that Putin's statements were conveyed to him by someone else.

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Police ordered to end far-right 'Nat-Con' Brussels conference

The controversial far-right "National Conservatism" conference taking place in Brussels was ordered to halt at the behest of the local neighbourhood mayor — in what critics described as a publicity victory for the populist right.

Opinion

How Hungary's teachers are taking on Viktor Orban

Orban and his administration are pursuing a strategy of running-down public education in Hungary. They have been explicit in their aims and how their assault on 'non-Christian' teachers is a small price to pay for the cultural shift they want.

Column

What do we actually mean by EU 'competitiveness'?

Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi are coming up with reports on the EU's single market and competitiveness — but although 'competitiveness' has become a buzzword, there's no consensus on a definition for what it actually means.

EU puts Sudan war and famine-risk back in spotlight

The EU is hoping to put the international spotlight back on Sudan amid a war where half the population is at risk of famine. And Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, also warned of Russia's presence in the country.

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