分类： politics

Ireland is poised to elect its next president in a landmark vote on Friday, with two women vying for the largely ceremonial role. Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent lawmaker supported by Sinn Féin, is the frontrunner, holding a commanding lead of approximately 40% in recent polls. Her rival, Heather Humphreys of the center-right Fine Gael party, trails with 20% to 25% support. The election marks the end of Michael D. Higgins’s 12-year presidency, as he completes his maximum two terms. The race narrowed after other potential candidates, including musician Bob Geldof and former MMA champion Conor McGregor, failed to secure nominations. Connolly, a former barrister and independent lawmaker since 2016, has faced criticism for her stance on Israel and Hamas, as well as her past legal work for banks involved in home repossessions. Despite this, she has garnered endorsements from left-leaning parties and pledges to be an “independent president for all the people.” Humphreys, a seasoned government official, emphasizes her centrist, pro-business, and pro-EU approach, aiming to foster unity with Northern Ireland. The president’s role, while ceremonial, includes appointing the prime minister, signing laws, and influencing public discourse on key issues. Polls close at 10 p.m. Friday, with results expected by late Saturday, followed by the inauguration at Dublin Castle.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a coalition of over 20 allied nations in London on Friday. The meeting, dubbed the ‘coalition of the willing,’ aims to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities, particularly by providing long-range missiles to target Russian positions. Zelensky has persistently sought advanced weaponry from Western allies, a move Russia has warned could escalate the conflict. This gathering follows Zelensky’s recent diplomatic successes, including Donald Trump’s decision to impose further sanctions on Russia and the European Union’s agreement to address Ukraine’s budgetary shortfall. Sir Keir emphasized the urgency of pressuring Moscow to negotiate peace, citing recent Russian strikes on civilian targets, including a nursery in Kharkiv that claimed the lives of two children. The UK will also expedite the delivery of 100 air defense missiles as part of a £1.6 billion defense deal signed in March. The summit will include NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, with French President Emmanuel Macron joining virtually. Discussions will also focus on strategies to remove Russian oil and gas from global markets and explore the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine financially. However, a proposal to utilize €140 billion in frozen assets faced political and legal challenges at the recent Brussels summit. The US has also ramped up pressure on Moscow by sanctioning Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Russia’s invasion, which began in February 2022, continues to occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea.

Germany’s commitment to tighten laws against small-boat smuggling faces growing uncertainty, as delays in legislative processes threaten to derail efforts to combat illegal Channel crossings. A BBC investigation last year revealed that Germany serves as a hub for storing boats and engines used in these crossings, prompting Berlin to pledge legal reforms by the end of 2025. However, the German Interior Ministry has only confirmed its intention to introduce the bill to parliament by the deadline, without guaranteeing its final approval this year. The proposed legislation aims to criminalize the facilitation of human smuggling to the UK, a loophole that currently exists post-Brexit. Despite UK pressure, German officials have not prioritized the bill, with some expressing skepticism about its effectiveness in curbing illegal migration. Meanwhile, France is reportedly retreating from its pledge to intercept migrant boats at sea, further complicating international efforts to address the issue. The UK’s Labour government, which has emphasized closer international collaboration, faces mounting pressure to demonstrate the efficacy of its strategy. Any delay in Germany’s legal reforms is likely to exacerbate UK frustrations, as it has long urged Berlin to strengthen its rules and enforcement mechanisms.

Defence Secretary John Healey has issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, declaring, ‘We’re hunting your submarines.’ Healey revealed a 30% increase in Russian vessels encroaching on UK waters, signaling a broader pattern of Russian aggression that extends beyond Ukraine to impact Europe as a whole. The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic has surged to levels reminiscent of the Cold War era. In response, the RAF and Royal Navy have intensified their surveillance efforts, with RAF P-8 aircraft conducting frequent missions, often supported by NATO allies. BBC News accompanied Healey on a flight aboard a P-8, a high-tech spy plane equipped with advanced cameras, sensors, and sonar buoys designed to detect and track submarines. The crew, working in a highly classified environment, monitors both surface vessels and underwater threats. Recent incidents, such as the tracking of the Russian spy ship Yantar near undersea cables in the Irish Sea, highlight growing Western concerns over Russia’s potential to disrupt critical infrastructure. Germany, a key ally, has ordered eight P-8 aircraft and is deepening its defense collaboration with the UK under the Trinity House Agreement. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who joined Healey on the flight, emphasized the North Atlantic’s strategic importance and the need for vigilance against Russian hybrid warfare tactics, including disinformation and threats to undersea infrastructure. The two nations are also cooperating on cybersecurity and arms production, further solidifying their partnership in the face of escalating Russian threats.