分类： politics

U.S. President Donald Trump, during a press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Chequers on September 18, 2025, commended ABC’s decision to remove ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ from its programming. Trump criticized the late-night host for making ‘a horrible thing’ about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10 at a Utah university campus. ABC, owned by Walt Disney Co, announced the show’s cancellation following Kimmel’s controversial remarks, which suggested that conservatives were exploiting Kirk’s death for political gain. Trump emphasized that Kimmel’s dismissal was primarily due to poor ratings and a lack of talent, rather than solely his comments. The incident has sparked discussions about free speech and media responsibility, as state prosecutors in Utah have vowed to pursue the death penalty for Kirk’s accused killer.

In response to a recent Russian drone incursion into Poland, European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius announced plans to expedite the creation of a ‘drone wall’ along the EU’s eastern border. Kubilius revealed that discussions with defence ministers from Eastern Europe and Ukraine will take place next week to advance the project, which aims to address critical gaps in Europe’s drone defense capabilities. The initiative, already under consideration by some EU nations, has gained urgency following the incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in NATO’s and Europe’s ability to counter drone threats. Kubilius emphasized the need for rapid implementation, describing the situation as ‘very dangerous.’ The proposed system would integrate sensors, weapons, and jamming technologies to detect and neutralize incoming drones. While cost and timeline estimates remain uncertain, analysts suggest the project could be operational within a year. Additionally, Ukraine has offered to share its expertise in drone countermeasures, with Ukrainian troops set to train Polish forces. Russia has denied intentionally targeting Poland, but Warsaw has dismissed this claim, labeling the incursion a deliberate act. The EU’s swift response underscores the growing importance of drone defense in regional security strategies.

In a significant development within Germany’s political landscape, Carsten Linnemann, General Secretary of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has proposed freezing funding for the country’s public broadcasters. This move comes in response to the reduced airtime of Julia Ruhs, a right-leaning journalist and moderator of the show ‘Klar,’ which addresses contentious topics such as immigration and COVID-19 policies. The decision to limit Ruhs’ presence on air has sparked outrage among conservative politicians, who view it as a blow to Germany’s debate culture. Linnemann emphasized that public broadcasters must adhere to their mandate of providing cultural, educational, and informational content, suggesting that funding should remain at current levels until further notice. This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of global debates on media freedom, with parallels drawn to similar issues in the United States. Critics of Germany’s public broadcasting system, which generated over €8 billion in license fees last year, argue for greater accountability, while defenders highlight its role in safeguarding democracy. Ruhs, who gained prominence for her commentary on immigration, expressed disappointment over the decision by northern Germany’s NDR to seek another presenter for her show, stating that it reinforces public prejudices against the media.

The Bulgarian government, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, successfully weathered its fifth no-confidence vote on Thursday, as reported by the BTA news agency. The motion, initiated by the opposition, accused the government of failing to implement crucial reforms in the justice and security sectors, which are vital for combating corruption in the EU and NATO member state. The vote concluded with 101 lawmakers supporting the motion and 133 opposing it, with no abstentions. A majority of the 240-seat parliament would have been required for the motion to pass. This latest political challenge comes as Bulgaria prepares to adopt the Euro in 2026, aiming to become the 21st country in the single currency area. The government’s resilience in the face of repeated no-confidence votes underscores the ongoing political tensions and the critical need for reform in key sectors.

In a bold move to enhance national security, the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, is set to unveil a dedicated portal on the dark web aimed at recruiting new spies, particularly from Russia. The initiative, named ‘Silent Courier,’ is designed to streamline the process of identifying and engaging potential agents worldwide. The announcement is expected to be confirmed by outgoing MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore during a speech in Istanbul on Friday morning. Sir Richard is scheduled to hand over his role to Blaise Metreweli later this month. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, ‘National security is the first duty of any government. As threats evolve, we must ensure the UK remains ahead of its adversaries. Our intelligence agencies are at the forefront of this effort, and this new technology will bolster their capabilities.’ The portal, accessible from Friday, will allow individuals to securely share sensitive information related to terrorism or hostile intelligence activities. Instructions for using the portal will be available on MI6’s verified YouTube channel, with recommendations to access it via secure VPNs and untraceable devices. This strategy mirrors the CIA’s 2023 campaign to recruit Russian spies through social media videos. However, the CIA faced significant setbacks when its dark web connections were compromised by China’s Ministry of State Security, leading to one of the most severe security breaches in recent years.

In a landmark decision, Germany’s Bundestag, the lower house of parliament, has approved the nation’s 2025 federal budget, marking a significant departure from decades of fiscal conservatism. The budget, passed on September 18, 2025, in Berlin, allocates a record €116 billion ($136.94 billion) in investments, enabled by a €500 billion infrastructure fund and exemptions from debt rules for defense spending, which were approved earlier in March. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil hailed the budget as a ‘huge paradigm shift in German fiscal policy,’ emphasizing its role in revitalizing the economy and bolstering national defense. The budget reflects Germany’s commitment to increased military spending, particularly in support of Ukraine and NATO allies, while addressing the economic stagnation that has plagued Europe’s largest economy. The 2025 budget also includes a core borrowing plan of €81.8 billion, with total borrowing rising to €143.2 billion when accounting for special funds for infrastructure and defense. This fiscal shift comes after Germany operated on a provisional budget in 2024 due to the collapse of the former ruling coalition. Looking ahead, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government faces challenges in balancing future budgets, particularly with a projected €30 billion shortfall in 2027. Difficult debates on welfare cuts and spending priorities are expected, as the coalition seeks to reconcile differing views between conservative and Social Democrat partners. Parliament is set to begin discussions on the 2026 budget next week, with final approval anticipated in November.