The new year has begun in much the same way as the old one ended: with predictions that Russia could invade Ukraine before the snow melts. Behind these as-yet-unfulfilled prophecies, however, are some fairly shaky assumptions. There are two factors behind any potential threat: capability and intention. There is little …
Read More »Europe falling into trap of green energy policy, expert says
Germany is shutting down three nuclear power plants on Friday, in a move to halve the country’s remaining nuclear capacity. The measure comes despite the worst ever energy crises the European region has experienced. The closures, which come as a result of decision to completely phase out atomic energy, taken …
Read More »Europe locks up amid Covid-19 surge
Countries across Europe are imposing restrictions on social life during the holiday season in response to a growing number of Covid-19 cases. The authorities fear hospitals could be overwhelmed by Omicron-variant patients. French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced on Monday a series of new measures aimed at curbing the spread …
Read More »Russia not delivering enough gas to Europe is ‘a pack of lies’ – Gazprom
“All the allegations against Russia and Gazprom relating to delivering an insufficient amount of gas to the European market are absolutely groundless, unacceptable and untrue. In other words, it is a pack of lies,” he said in an interview with the Russia-24 TV channel. Kupriyanov added that Gazprom is ready …
Read More »Russia warns of potential ‘large-scale conflict in Europe’
Ukraine’s possible accession to NATO poses “unacceptable threats” to Moscow, including the possibility that missile defense systems could be placed directly on the Russian border, the country’s foreign minister said on Friday. Speaking to Bosnian newspaper Oslobodjenje, Sergey Lavrov said that all parties need to reduce the “degree of confrontation” caused by …
Read More »Europe faces full-blown energy crisis
European prices for natural gas exceeded $2,150 per 1,000 cubic meters on Tuesday for the first time in history, according to Intercontinental Exchange’s London clearing house. The price at the Dutch TTF hub in the Netherlands, the benchmark gas price for Europe, soared some 27% in one day to nearly …
Read More »Hunters of the unvaccinated are being hired in Europe
Successful candidates will be issuing penalties, processing appeals and taking measures against those who fail to shell out their fine for being unvaccinated, says a job ad placed by the Austrian city of Linz. The opening line says the job will suit those who “take pleasure in working with legislation …
Read More »Europe’s energy crisis just got worse
France’s EDF stopped on Thursday two nuclear power plants after finding a fault at one during routine maintenance. This brings the total number of nuclear plants out of operation currently at four, which account for 13% of the current power availability in France, a major electricity exporter to neighboring countries …
Read More »Europe’s largest emergency gas stockpile hits historic low
He told the Handelsblatt newspaper on Thursday that the capacity is currently about 59%, which is a “historically low level” in comparison with previous years. “Since the real winter is yet to come, the relatively small reserves should certainly be handled with care,” Bleschke said, warning “If the withdrawal of …
Read More »Is a genocide taking place in Europe?
A historian must object. The notion of “genocide” is not a good reference point here. Even a wide definition does not fit this case, because there is no policy or systematic practice of killing the inhabitants of the breakaway areas merely due to their being who they are in some …
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