标签： Europe

In a devastating overnight assault, Russian forces launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks across Ukraine, targeting energy infrastructure and residential areas, resulting in at least six fatalities. Among the casualties, two individuals lost their lives when an apartment building in Dnipro was struck, leaving 12 others injured. Additionally, three deaths were reported in Zaporizhzhia. The attacks spanned 25 locations, including Kyiv, causing widespread power outages and heating disruptions. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed significant damage to energy facilities in the Poltava, Kharkiv, and Kyiv regions, with restoration efforts currently underway. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry noted power cuts in multiple regions, including Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhya, Odesa, and Kirovohrad, but assured that critical infrastructure was being reconnected using generators. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 79 Ukrainian drones. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia had deployed over 450 explosive drones and 45 missiles, with 406 drones and nine missiles successfully neutralized. Russian officials justified the strikes as targeting Ukrainian military assets, but Kyiv officials expressed concerns that Moscow’s broader aim is to cripple Ukraine’s economy and morale by disrupting its energy network. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, urging Western nations to impose comprehensive sanctions on Russian energy without exceptions. His remarks followed a controversial U.S. decision to grant Hungary a one-year exemption from restrictions on purchasing Russian oil and gas. Zelensky emphasized the need for intensified pressure on Moscow, calling for coordinated sanctions from the U.S., Europe, and the G7 in response to Russia’s aggression.

The unprecedented U.S. government shutdown, now in its sixth week, is not only disrupting domestic operations but also creating significant challenges for local workers at American military bases across Europe. Over 2,000 employees in countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Germany have experienced salary interruptions, with some host governments stepping in to cover payments temporarily. In Italy, union coordinator Angelo Zaccaria described the situation as ‘absurd,’ with workers struggling to meet basic financial obligations like mortgages and childcare. Similarly, in Portugal, over 360 workers at the Lajes Field base have gone unpaid, though the Azores regional government has approved a loan to provide interim relief. Germany has also intervened to pay nearly 11,000 civilian employees at U.S. bases, expecting reimbursement once the shutdown ends. Experts like Harvard professor Linda Bilmes highlight that contractors are particularly vulnerable during such shutdowns, as they are not always guaranteed back pay. While Spain has resolved payment delays for its workers, other countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Greenland remain silent on their involvement. The prolonged shutdown underscores the far-reaching consequences of political gridlock in Washington, leaving thousands of workers in limbo.

A Russian drone struck a residential tower block in Dnipro, Ukraine’s fourth-largest city, early on Saturday, resulting in the death of a woman and injuring 11 others, including two children. The attack occurred while many residents were asleep, causing a fire that destroyed several apartments in the nine-story building. Emergency services reported that the woman’s body was found on the fifth floor. This incident is part of Russia’s near-daily drone and missile strikes on Ukraine, which have claimed numerous civilian lives since the full-scale invasion began nearly four years ago. Meanwhile, the battle for the strategic city of Pokrovsk, located along the eastern front line, has reached a critical phase. Both Ukraine and Russia are attempting to influence U.S. President Donald Trump’s perception of the conflict, with the outcome potentially shaping the trajectory of peace negotiations. Pokrovsk, part of the heavily fortified ‘fortress belt’ in the Donetsk region, is pivotal to Ukraine’s defense and could sway Washington’s stance on the war. Additionally, Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s power grid have caused rolling blackouts across several regions, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as winter approaches. Russian President Vladimir Putin has reiterated his demand for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region, comprising Donetsk and Luhansk, as a precondition for peace, claiming his forces are nearing victory.

Mexico and France have unveiled ambitious plans to enhance their economic and cultural collaboration, marking a significant step in Mexico’s strategy to diversify its trade partnerships beyond the United States. The announcement followed a historic meeting between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and French President Emmanuel Macron at Mexico City’s National Palace, Macron’s first official visit to the country. This move comes as Mexico grapples with persistent trade tensions with the US, which has imposed tariffs of up to 50% on key Mexican exports, including steel, copper, and tomatoes, outside the scope of the USMCA agreement. Macron emphasized the deepening of the strategic alliance, stating, ‘Today we begin a new chapter in our strategic alliance, one that demands — and that we want to be — even more global.’ He highlighted the role of 700 French companies operating in Mexico, particularly in the aerospace sector, which collectively generate 150,000 direct jobs and 700,000 indirect jobs. Sheinbaum underscored the importance of next year’s renewal of the EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement, coinciding with the bicentennial of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Additionally, both leaders celebrated the reciprocal temporary exhibition of pre-Hispanic codices, including the Azcatitlan and Boturini manuscripts, which hold immense historical significance for Mexico. These efforts reflect a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual cultural appreciation.