Europe

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, speaks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, center, as they arrive for an EU Summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana)

EU leaders meet for emergency summit on defense and Ukraine aid amid waning US support

European Union leaders are holding emergency summit talks to beef up their own military defenses and make sure Ukraine will still be properly protected as Europe faces the prospect of the U.S. cutting it adrift.

2 hours ago

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, meets French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the European Council to discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defense, in Brussels, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)

Poland and Baltic nations welcome Macron’s nuclear deterrent proposal

53 mins ago

Girls, with ashes on their foreheads, pray during a rosary prayer for Pope Francis' health in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope Francis rests after peaceful night during third week of hospital treatment for pneumonia

3 hours ago

France's President Emmanuel Macron at the European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine, hosted by Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, at Lancaster House, London, Sunday March 2, 2025. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

Macron says he’ll confer with allies on protecting Europe with French nuclear deterrence

Yesterday

A woman walks at a graveyard covered by snow as the sun sets in Nuuk, Greenland, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Most Greenlanders are Lutheran, 300 years after a missionary brought the faith to the remote island

8 hours ago

Ukrainian servicemen of the Defence Intelligence prepare to launch long-range drones An-196 Liutyi in undisclosed location, Ukraine, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

France will keep providing military intelligence to Ukraine as the US freezes vital information

French defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu says France will keep providing military intelligence to Ukraine after Washington announced it was freezing the sharing of information with Kyiv.

2 hours ago

Albania shuts down TikTok for a year amid concerns over violence among children

The Albanian Cabinet has decided to shut down TikTok for 12 months, blaming the video-sharing platform for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children.

18 mins ago

European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde speaks at the bank's post-meeting news conference, in Frankfurt, Thursday, March 6, 2025. (Boris Roessler/dpa/dpa via AP)

European Central Bank cuts rates by quarter point with trade war a potential threat

The European Central Bank is cutting interest rates by a quarter percentage point, lowering credit costs for consumers and businesses to support an economy that is struggling to show solid growth.

24 mins ago

A Russian flag flies over the Russian Embassy in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, April 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)

Romania detains 6 on suspicion of plotting a coup in collusion with Russia

Romanian police say six people have been detained for allegedly organizing a criminal group that colluded with Russia to plot a coup against the government.

1 hour ago

A woman prays for Pope Francis at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Clutched by the global faithful and draped on candles and statues, rosaries abound for Pope Francis

As Pope Francis remains hospitalized in Rome, thousands of faithful from around the world have been gathering by St.

9 hours ago

Romania expels two military officials attached to Russian embassy for breaching diplomatic rules

Romania has expelled two military diplomats from the Russian embassy in Bucharest as tensions sour between Moscow and the European Union and NATO-member country.

Yesterday

Friedrich Merz, left, leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) address the media during a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Carsten Koall/dpa via AP, File)

Germany to ease government debt limits in major step aimed at boosting economy, defense spending

The two political parties expected to form the next German government have agreed to significantly loosen the country’s constitutional restriction on deficits, enabling 1 trillion euros ($1.08 trillion) or more in new borrowing and spending on defense and infrastructure.

Yesterday

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a media conference on the defense package at EU headquarters in Brussels, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

EU leaders to hold emergency Ukraine talks, seeking to adapt to new security demands without the US

European Union leaders plan to hold emergency talks to agree ways to quickly increase their military budgets after the Trump administration signaled Europe must take care of its own security and also suspended assistance to Ukraine.

Yesterday

South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-Yul ,left, and Poland's Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski after give a stetmant following a meeting at the Foreign Ministry in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

South Korea signs security agreement with Poland to boost economic and defense cooperation

South Korea and Poland have signed a cooperation agreement as the democratic allies find themselves united in their security concerns despite the vast geographical distance between them.

Yesterday

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street, London, to attend Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament, on Wednesday March 5, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)

Starmer praises sacrifice of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq in oblique rebuke to Vance

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has praised the “sacrifice” of British troops who were killed fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Yesterday

Artist Marco Evaristti is photographed with his exhibition "And now you care", before the opening in Den Graa Koedby in Copenhagen, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (Emil Nicolai Helms/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

Piglets left to starve as part of a controversial art exhibition in Denmark have been stolen

A controversial Chilean artist who planned to allow three piglets to starve as part of an exhibition in Denmark to raise awareness of the mass meat production processes has had to close the show after the the animals were stolen.

Yesterday

A woman walks with her dogs on a beach in Nuuk, Greenland, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Greenland’s prime minister says island isn’t for sale as Trump seeks control ‘one way or the other’

Greenland’s prime minister has a message for President Donald Trump: “Greenland is ours.” Múte Bourup Egede made the statement Wednesday, just hours after Trump declared in his speech to a joint session of Congress that he intended to gain control of Greenland “one way or the other.”

Yesterday

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

Slovak president swears in a new minister in a reshuffle to stabilize the government

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has sworn in the new minister of tourism and sports in a reshuffle to stabilize the government.

Yesterday

Mexican painter Roberto Marquez places a painting of Pope Francis he made outside the Agostino Gemelli hospital in Rome, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

The pope has increased his physical therapy and marked the start of Lent in the hospital

The Vatican says that Pope Francis has increased his physical activity, called the Catholic parish priest in Gaza and marked the start of Lent by receiving ashes on his forehead.

Yesterday

A votive statue of Italy's patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, left, is on display among other religious items at a shop in Assisi, Italy, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Who’s St. Francis, whose love for the poor, creation, and peace inspires Pope Francis?

St. Francis is the medieval Catholic saint whose spirituality focused on loving the poor, creation, and peace.

Yesterday

Pentagon nominee pushed to acknowledge Russian invasion of Ukraine in Senate hearing

President Donald Trump’s nominee for the top policy job at the Pentagon is acknowledging that Russia invaded Ukraine and poses a significant military threat to the U.S. and Europe.

March 4

From left, Markus Söder, Chairman of the CSU and Minister President of Bavaria, Friedrich Merz, candidate for Chancellor of the CDU/CSU, Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group and Federal Chairman of the CDU, Lars Klingbeil, Chairman of the SPD parliamentary group and Federal Chairman of the SPD, and Saskia Esken, Party Chairwoman of the SPD, hold a press conference in Berlin, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (Carsten Koall/dpa via AP)

Germany’s likely next government seeks higher defense spending as doubts rise about US commitment

The prospective partners in Germany’s next government say they will seek to loosen the nation’s rules on running up debt to allow for higher defense spending.

March 4

French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou delivers his general policy speech, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 at the National Assembly in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

French prime minister again lashes out at US over Ukraine, says pause in aid is ‘unbearable’

France’s prime minister has decried the U.S. pause on military aid for Ukraine as “unbearable.” François Bayrou mounted his second sharp criticism of the administration of U.S.

March 4

A view of the oil pipes at the Central Oil Tank Farm near Nelahozeves, Czech Republic, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek,File)

The flow of oil from Russia to the Czech Republic is interrupted again

The Czech state company that operates the country’s oil pipeline network says deliveries from Russia through the Druhzba pipeline have been halted.

March 4

Albin Kurti, president of the left-wing Vetevendosje! party, makes statements following results of a parliamentary election, in Pristina, Kosovo, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Kosovo’s prime minister again refuses to testify at prosecutor’s office for a corruption case

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti has again refused to report to the Special Prosecutor’s Office that had summoned him as a witness in an alleged corruption case of state reserves.

March 4

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares to fire a M777 howitzer towards Russian positions at the frontline near Donetsk, Ukraine, Monday, March 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Roman Chop)

Trump’s halt on military aid will hurt Ukraine’s defenses. But it may not be fatal

The U.S. has been Ukraine’s biggest military backer since Russia’s full-scale invasion began three years ago.

March 4

A Rafale jet fighter next to a French flag, on France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, at Limassol port, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 1, 2022. AP Photo/Petros Karadjias, File)

Macron to discuss nuclear deterrence with European allies. A look at France’s unique strategy

French President Emmanuel Macron says he’s ready to start discussions on nuclear deterrence with European allies.

March 4

Environmental groups criticize Albania for delay in probing suspected toxic waste

Environmental groups have criticized Albania’s silence and lack of progress in analyzing 102 containers suspected of carrying a large amount of hazardous waste.

March 4

In this grab taken from video provided by RTS Serbia smoke bombs and flares are released in parliament, in Belgrade, Serbia, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (RTS Serbia via AP)

At least 3 Serbian lawmakers injured as smoke bombs and flares thrown in parliament

At least three lawmakers were injured after chaos erupted in Serbia’s parliament, where smoke bombs and flares were thrown.

March 4

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a media conference on the defense package at EU headquarters in Brussels, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

EU ponders 800 billion euro plan to beef up defenses to counter possible US disengagement

The chief of the European Union’s executive is proposing an 800 billion-euro ($841 billion) plan to beef up EU defenses.

March 4

Cardinal Arthur Roche prays during a rosary prayer for Pope Francis' health in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Pope stable with no new respiratory crises but will sleep with ventilation mask, Vatican says

The Vatican says Pope Francis is in stable condition and breathing with just the help of supplemental oxygen after respiratory crises a day earlier.

Yesterday

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy takes part in a plenary during the Securing our Future Summit on Ukraine and European security at Lancaster House in London, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

Without US help, Zelenskyy has few options except to repair his relationship with the White House

Ukraine’s president has few options after last week’s astonishing Oval Office row with U.S. President Donald Trump, who berated the wartime leader.

March 4

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, and France's President Emmanuel Macron at the European leaders' summit to discuss Ukraine, at Lancaster House, London, Sunday March 2, 2025. (Justin Tallis/Pool via AP)

Starmer and Macron step up to shape European security as Trump roils relations

The leaders of Britain and France are spearheading a desperate diplomatic drive to shore up Europe’s security, bolster Ukraine’s defenses and ensure the Trump administration doesn’t seek a ceasefire on terms that reward Moscow for invading its neighbor.

March 3

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, speaks with the Head of Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Mar. 3, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russia relishes Trump-Zelenskyy spat and accuses Ukraine and European allies of warmongering

A spat between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has come as a windfall for the Kremlin, raising Moscow’s hopes for a halt in the U.S. assistance to Kyiv even as Russian troops seek to extend their gains in Ukraine.

March 3

President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mstyslav Chernov)

France’s prime minister tears into Trump’s attack on Zelenskyy as a staggering show of ‘brutality’

France’s prime minister has torn into U.S. President Donald Trump’s Oval Office thrashing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by calling it a staggering show of “brutality” that aimed to humiliate Ukraine’s leader.

March 3

People shout slogans during a student-led large protest and a 18-hour blockade of the streets to protest the deaths of 15 people killed in the November collapse of a train station canopy, in the town of Nis, Serbia, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbia’s president apologizes for calling state TV reporter an ‘imbecile’ over coverage of protests

Serbia’s populist president has apologized for calling a reporter with the state TV broadcaster an “imbecile” after her report from a massive anti-government protest over the weekend.

March 3

Poland's former president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Lech Walesa, is greeted at parliament in Warsaw, Poland, Dec. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File)

Polish democracy hero Wałęsa says Trump’s treatment of Zelenskyy filled him with ‘horror’

Poland’s democracy hero Lech Wałęsa and 38 other former political prisoners in Poland have told President Donald Trump that his treatment of Ukraine’s president at the Oval Office last week filled them “with horror and distaste.”

March 3

Britain's King Charles III, left, meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, Monday March 3, 2025. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP, Pool)

King Charles III welcomes Canada’s Trudeau for talks overshadowed by Trump’s annexation comments

Britain’s King Charles III has welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the monarch faces criticism in Canada over being silent about President Donald Trump’s repeated suggestions that the U.S. annex its northern neighbor.

March 3

Police officers stand next to a damaged vehicle in the city center of Mannheim, Germany, Monday March 3, 2025, following an incident in which one person was killed and others injured when a car rammed into a crowd, German police said. (Boris Roessler/dpa via AP)

A driver rams a car into crowd in Germany’s Mannheim, leaving 2 dead and 11 injured

Authorities in Germany say a driver rammed a car into a crowd Monday in the city of Mannheim, killing two people and injuring 11 others.

March 4

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) Volker Türk speaks during a press conference about the publication of UN Human Rights fact-finding report on Bangladesh protests, at the European headquarters of the United Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Martial Trezzini/Keystone via AP)

UN rights chief laments ‘shift in direction’ in United States

The U.N. human rights chief has expressed concern about a “fundamental shift in direction” taking place in the United States when it comes to human rights.

March 3