Global Pulse

标签： Europe

欧洲

  • Norway’s crown princess likely needs lung transplant, palace says

    Norway’s crown princess likely needs lung transplant, palace says

    The Norwegian Royal Household has announced a significant deterioration in Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s health, indicating that a lung transplant will likely become necessary for the 52-year-old royal. The princess, diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, faces a degenerative condition that creates scar tissue within the lungs, progressively stiffening them and impairing both breathing capacity and oxygen absorption into the bloodstream.

    Recent medical evaluations conducted during autumn revealed what palace officials described as “a clear worsening” of her condition. Dr. Are Martin Holm, head of respiratory medicine at Oslo University Hospital, confirmed that medical teams are approaching the threshold where transplantation becomes imperative. While no formal decision has been made regarding her placement on the transplant waiting list, physicians have initiated the comprehensive evaluation process required for such procedures.

    The Crown Princess acknowledged the accelerated progression of her illness in an interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, stating it has developed “faster than I’d hoped.” Her husband, Crown Prince Haakon, Norway’s future monarch, provided poignant context during the joint interview, explaining that while his wife might appear “perfectly fine” when stationary, her breathing difficulties become apparent during physical exertion.

    Medical protocols in Norway ensure no preferential treatment for royal patients, with typically 20-40 patients awaiting lung transplants at any given time. Dr. Holm emphasized that transplantation represents a last-resort intervention, reserved for cases where patients face significant illness and limited life expectancy. The procedure carries substantial risks, including organ rejection and the challenge of finding suitable donor matches.

    Despite her health challenges, the palace confirmed Princess Mette-Marit’s “strong interest in continuing to carry out her duties,” though her official engagements will be adapted to accommodate her medical needs. The royal couple has already abandoned cherished activities like hiking and skiing together due to her respiratory limitations.

    This health update emerges months after separate legal proceedings involving the princess’s eldest son, Marius Borg Høiby, who faces multiple criminal charges including rape allegations—a matter unrelated to the princess’s medical condition but adding to the royal family’s complex public circumstances.

  • What to know about the EU’s new $106 billion loan to Ukraine

    What to know about the EU’s new $106 billion loan to Ukraine

    BRUSSELS — In a critical overnight summit that stretched into Friday morning, European Union leaders reached a landmark agreement to extend a massive $106 billion interest-free loan to Ukraine, providing vital financial stability for the war-torn nation’s military and economic needs through 2027. The decision came after intense negotiations failed to secure Belgian support for an alternative plan that would have utilized frozen Russian assets.

    The original proposal, championed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and supported by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, sought to leverage approximately $246 billion in Russian assets frozen across Europe, predominantly in Belgium. This approach would have required only a two-thirds majority among the 27 member states. However, Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever maintained firm opposition throughout the night, citing legal vulnerabilities and potential retaliation from Moscow following Russia’s Central Bank filing a lawsuit against Euroclear, the Brussels-based financial institution holding the majority of these assets.

    Facing political impasse, leaders pivoted to Article 20 of the Treaty of Europe, enabling the EU to borrow directly from capital markets—a mechanism previously deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic for the bloc’s $750 billion recovery fund. This alternative required unanimous approval, achieved through strategic concessions to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, which opposed assuming additional debt but agreed not to block the package in exchange for financial liability protections.

    Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest EU ally, declared a dual victory on social media, claiming he prevented “a declaration of war on Russia” through asset seizure and protected Hungarian families from approximately $3 billion in potential financial burdens.

    Despite the setback on immediate asset utilization, EU leaders emphasized that frozen Russian funds remain a prospective repayment mechanism. The official statement clarified that Ukraine’s repayment obligation would only trigger after Russia compensates for war damages, estimated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at over $700 billion. Pending reparations, the EU reserves the right to apply frozen assets toward loan repayment in accordance with international law.

    President Zelenskyy, speaking from Warsaw, hailed the agreement as providing “financial certainty for the coming years,” indicating funds would prioritize defense if conflict persists or reconstruction should peace emerge. The International Monetary Fund estimates Ukraine requires $161 billion through 2027 to avert governmental collapse and address urgent needs from ammunition to infrastructure.

  • Pope names new archbishop of Westminster as part of generational shift in English-speaking hierarchy

    Pope names new archbishop of Westminster as part of generational shift in English-speaking hierarchy

    In a significant restructuring of English-speaking Catholic leadership, Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment of Bishop Richard Moth as the new Archbishop of Westminster on Friday. The 67-year-old prelate will succeed Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is retiring at 80 after leading the largest British diocese in terms of Catholic population and clerical numbers.

    This appointment follows closely on the heels of another major leadership change: Bishop Ronald Hicks, 58, was named yesterday to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan as Archbishop of New York, one of America’s most prominent archdioceses. Both outgoing cardinals had held their influential positions since 2009, appointed during Pope Benedict XVI’s papacy.

    The transitions signal a deliberate generational shift within the Church hierarchy. Pope Leo has emphasized his commitment to enforcing the standard retirement age of 75 for bishops more consistently, viewing this as essential for revitalizing Church leadership. While acknowledging possible two-year extensions in exceptional cases, the Pontiff stated last month that the Church must “constantly renew itself” to address contemporary challenges and prevent “inertia from slowing necessary change.”

    Bishop Moth brings a diverse background to his new role. Born in Chingola, Zambia, he previously served as bishop of Arundel and Brighton since 2015 and as bishop to the British armed forces. He now assumes leadership of Westminster Cathedral, considered the mother church for Catholics in England and Wales.

    In related developments, Pope Leo accepted the resignation of 75-year-old Bishop Gerald Barbarito of Palm Beach, Florida, appointing Reverend Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez as his successor. Father Rodriguez currently pastors Our Lady of Sorrows church in Queens, New York—the largest parish in the Diocese of Brooklyn with 17,000 congregants in a predominantly Hispanic community that suffered devastating losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Cardinal Dolan’s retirement concluded his tenure shortly after he finalized a $300 million settlement fund for victims of clergy sexual abuse, addressing one of the Church’s most pressing challenges.

  • Zelenskyy signals good will to Polish president with Warsaw visit

    Zelenskyy signals good will to Polish president with Warsaw visit

    WARSAW, Poland — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Polish President Karol Nawrocki at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw on Friday, marking their first official encounter since Nawrocki’s inauguration four months prior. The strategically timed diplomatic engagement seeks to reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two nations as Poland faces potential political transitions.

    The meeting holds profound significance given the deeply interconnected security interests that have defined Polish-Ukrainian relations since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Poland relies on Ukraine as a critical buffer against Russian expansionism, while Ukraine depends on Polish corridors for military assistance and humanitarian support. Furthermore, Poland is positioned to play an indispensable role in facilitating Western security guarantees for Ukraine should peace negotiations materialize.

    Although Poland’s current government under Prime Minister Donald Tusk remains a steadfast advocate for Ukraine, upcoming presidential elections in 2027 could see the return of the nationalist Law and Justice party. Nawrocki, who ascended to the presidency with their backing, has adopted a more assertive diplomatic stance, emphasizing national interests and demanding reciprocal gestures from Kyiv.

    In remarks reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Nawrocki recently stated that he expects Zelenskyy to ‘express gratitude’ for Poland’s extensive military and humanitarian contributions. He has also criticized Ukraine’s delayed permission for exhumations of Polish victims from World War II-era mass graves in Volhynia—a longstanding point of contention between the nations.

    Despite a January agreement that permitted initial exhumations, uncovering remains of at least 42 individuals, Nawrocki continues to press for additional concessions. Historical tensions from the Volhynia massacres, where tens of thousands of Poles were killed amid interethnic violence, remain a sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

    As both leaders navigate complex historical legacies and contemporary geopolitical imperatives, Zelenskyy’s visit underscores Ukraine’s effort to maintain stability with a key ally amid Poland’s evolving political landscape.

  • Louvre reopens fully after staff vote to suspend strike

    Louvre reopens fully after staff vote to suspend strike

    PARIS — The Louvre Museum has resumed full operations following a unanimous decision by staff to temporarily suspend strike action that had severely disrupted access to the world’s most visited cultural institution. The resolution emerged from a general assembly of museum employees who voted to pause their labor mobilization, enabling the iconic Paris museum to welcome visitors without restrictions.

    The reopening concludes a period of significant disruption that saw complete closure earlier in the week and only partial accessibility on Wednesday. The decision to suspend strikes came after five negotiation sessions with French Culture Ministry officials, though union representatives emphasized that progress on key issues remains inadequate.

    Critical concerns highlighted by workers include chronic understaffing, inadequate compensation structures, and insufficient long-term security planning. Additional grievances center on deteriorating infrastructure within the historic building complex and suboptimal working conditions for staff.

    Union leadership expressed particular dissatisfaction with Louvre President Laurence des Cars’ response during the strike period, noting her absence from direct dialogue with staff throughout the labor action. The museum’s administration has yet to comprehensively address the systemic issues raised by employees.

    The truce remains temporary, with workers scheduling another general assembly for January 5 to evaluate progress on their demands and determine whether to resume strike activities. The outcome of upcoming discussions with museum management and cultural ministry officials will likely determine the institution’s operational stability in the new year.

  • Fraught EU summit backs Ukraine but divisions are clear

    Fraught EU summit backs Ukraine but divisions are clear

    In a marathon 17-hour negotiation session marked by intense deliberations, European Union leaders reached a landmark agreement in the early hours of Friday to provide Ukraine with €90 billion in zero-interest loans. This financial package, designed to sustain Ukraine’s economy through the next two years, comes at a critical juncture as American military support wavers under the Trump administration.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously emphasized the existential necessity of these funds, warning EU leadership that without immediate financial assistance, Ukraine would lack the resources to compensate military personnel or procure essential weaponry against Russian aggression.

    The loan mechanism will be backed by the EU’s collective budget, though the agreement revealed significant fractures within the bloc. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic only consented to the measure—which required unanimous approval—after securing individual exemptions from direct financial contributions. This development underscores the deepening geopolitical schisms between nations maintaining closer Kremlin ties and those like Poland and the Baltic states, which perceive Ukraine’s defense as fundamental to European security.

    Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk framed the decision in stark terms during the summit’s outset, declaring that European leaders faced a choice between ‘financial commitment today or bloodshed tomorrow’—a statement he clarified pertained to Europe’s own security imperative rather than Ukraine’s alone.

    The newly approved joint-loan arrangement supersedes a previously contested proposal to utilize €210 billion in frozen Russian assets held within the EU, predominantly in Belgium. While Kyiv had advocated for this approach as morally justified compensation for Russia’s devastation, multiple member states expressed concerns about potential legal repercussions and damage to the eurozone’s reputation as a secure repository for global assets.

    EU officials indicated Friday that repurposing frozen Russian assets to repay the Ukrainian loan remains a future possibility, contingent upon the establishment of a formal peace agreement. Meanwhile, Brussels estimates Ukraine will require an additional €45 billion for 2026-2027, potentially sourced from non-EU allies including the UK, Japan, and Canada. The immediate financial stabilization also enables Kyiv to pursue lending opportunities through international financial institutions like the IMF.

  • Putin tells his annual news conference that the Kremlin’s military goals will be achieved in Ukraine

    Putin tells his annual news conference that the Kremlin’s military goals will be achieved in Ukraine

    Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted during his annual year-end press conference that Moscow’s military forces have gained complete strategic initiative in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Addressing the nation in a carefully orchestrated event that combined a live news conference with a nationwide call-in program, the Russian leader expressed unwavering confidence that the Kremlin’s military objectives would ultimately be achieved.

    Putin emphasized that Russian troops are consistently advancing across the entire line of contact, though he acknowledged the pace varies across different sectors. ‘Our troops are progressing throughout the combat zone, with some areas witnessing faster advancement than others, but the enemy continues to retreat across all fronts,’ the Russian president stated.

    The conflict, which approaches its fourth anniversary since Putin initially ordered troops into Ukraine, has evolved significantly from its initial phase when Ukrainian forces successfully repelled Russia’s attempt to capture Kyiv. The warfare has since transformed into a grueling battle of attrition, with Moscow’s military making gradual but persistent territorial gains despite failing to achieve the rapid victory many analysts had anticipated.

    Regarding potential peace negotiations, Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness for a diplomatic settlement that would address what he termed the ‘root causes’ of the conflict. However, the Russian leader’s conditions remain extensive and largely unacceptable to Kyiv. These demands include international recognition of Russia’s claimed annexation of four Ukrainian regions and Crimea, which Moscow illegally seized in 2014. Additionally, Putin insists Ukraine must withdraw its forces from certain eastern territories not currently under Russian control.

    The Kremlin further demands that Ukraine abandon its aspirations to join the NATO alliance and cease all military cooperation with Western nations. Putin has repeatedly stated that any NATO troop deployments would be considered ‘legitimate targets.’ Other conditions include mandatory limitations on the size of Ukraine’s military forces and granting official status to the Russian language within Ukraine’s governmental and administrative structures.

    Earlier this week, Putin warned that Moscow would continue expanding its territorial control if Kyiv and its Western allies reject these demands. The statement comes as international observers closely monitor Putin’s response to peace proposals reportedly put forward by the United States, though diplomatic efforts have encountered significant obstacles due to the fundamentally incompatible positions of both warring parties.

  • EU agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without using Russian assets

    EU agree €90bn loan for Ukraine but without using Russian assets

    After protracted negotiations spanning over 24 hours at the Brussels summit, European Union leaders have unanimously approved a substantial €90 billion financial assistance package for Ukraine. This critical agreement emerged as a compromise solution following the bloc’s inability to reach consensus on utilizing frozen Russian assets worth approximately €200 billion.

    European Council President Antonio Costa heralded the achievement, declaring on social media platform X, “We committed, we delivered.” The financing mechanism involves a loan backed collectively by the EU’s common budget, effectively circumventing the legal and political complications surrounding directly confiscated Russian funds held predominantly in Belgian financial institutions.

    The breakthrough followed intense diplomatic efforts to address concerns from multiple member states regarding liability sharing for the frozen assets. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever emphasized that the loan agreement prevented potential “chaos and division” within the union while demonstrating European unity in supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously warned that without immediate financial infusion by spring, Ukraine would face severe constraints in military production, particularly regarding drone manufacturing capabilities. EU assessments indicate Ukraine requires approximately €135 billion over the next two years to maintain economic stability, with critical shortfalls anticipated beginning April.

    Concurrently, French President Emmanuel Macron introduced a contrasting diplomatic perspective, suggesting the necessity for European re-engagement with Russian leadership. “I believe that it’s in our interest as Europeans and Ukrainians to find the right framework to re-engage this discussion,” Macron stated, proposing such dialogue should occur within “coming weeks.”

    The EU’s financial commitment coincides with intensified peace negotiation efforts, including scheduled talks between US and Russian officials in Miami this weekend. Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev is expected to meet with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while parallel discussions between Ukrainian and US delegations are set to occur in the United States.

  • EU leaders agree on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine

    EU leaders agree on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine

    BRUSSELS — In a decisive move to bolster Ukraine’s resilience, European Union leaders have unanimously approved a monumental financial assistance package totaling €90 billion (approximately $106 billion) for the 2026-27 period. The breakthrough agreement, announced by EU Council President Antonio Costa in the early hours of Friday, follows marathon negotiations that extended through Thursday night.

    The substantial aid package, structured as interest-free loans, is designed to address Ukraine’s pressing military requirements and economic stabilization needs amid ongoing conflict. President Costa confirmed the historic decision through social media, declaring “We committed, we delivered,” though specific mechanisms for fund allocation remain undisclosed.

    Critical to the agreement was addressing security concerns raised by Belgium, which sought assurances against potential retaliation from Russia for supporting the Ukrainian loan package. Diplomatic sources indicate that EU leaders provided substantial guarantees to alleviate these concerns, demonstrating the complex geopolitical calculations underlying the decision.

    This financial commitment represents the EU’s most significant demonstration of support for Ukraine since the conflict began, underscoring the bloc’s strategic determination to maintain Ukrainian sovereignty and economic viability. The agreement signals continued European unity in responding to Russian aggression while establishing a financial framework for Ukraine’s medium-term stability.

  • Stigma of Ukraine’s forgotten soldiers who ‘died the wrong way’

    Stigma of Ukraine’s forgotten soldiers who ‘died the wrong way’

    Beneath Ukraine’s official death toll of over 45,000 soldiers since Russia’s 2022 invasion lies a silent epidemic of military suicides that remains undocumented in state statistics. While officials describe these cases as isolated incidents, human rights advocates and grieving families estimate the numbers reach into the hundreds, creating a secondary tragedy shrouded in stigma and institutional neglect.

    Kateryna (name changed) embodies this hidden crisis. Her son Orest, a bookish 25-year-old with academic aspirations, was deemed unfit for service initially due to poor eyesight. In 2023, a recruitment patrol re-evaluated and deployed him as a communications specialist. Shortly after arriving near Chasiv Yar in Donetsk, he died from what the army classified as a ‘self-inflicted wound’—a designation his mother finds implausible.

    The classification carries severe consequences: families receive no compensation, military honors, or public recognition. ‘In Ukraine, it’s as if we’ve been divided,’ Kateryna explains. ‘Some died the right way, and others died the wrong way.’ She continues writing daily letters to her deceased son, now exceeding 650, her grief compounded by the official stigma.

    Mariyana from Kyiv shares a parallel tragedy. Her husband Anatoliy volunteered repeatedly until accepted despite lacking military experience. Deployed as a machine-gunner in the brutal Bakhmut sector, he returned from missions psychologically transformed. After losing part of his arm and hospitalized, he took his own life following a phone call with his wife. Denied a military burial, Anatoliy joined the growing ranks of unacknowledged casualties. ‘The war broke him,’ Mariyana states. ‘He couldn’t live with what he’d seen.’

    An online support community now connects approximately 200 families bereaved by military suicides. Oksana Borkun, who runs the network, notes widespread discrimination: ‘If it’s suicide, then he’s not a hero—that’s what people think. Some churches refuse to hold funerals. Some towns won’t put up their photos on memorial walls.’ Many families report inconsistencies in death investigations, with some mothers discovering unexplained bruises on bodies.

    Military chaplain Father Borys Kutovyi has witnessed at least three suicides within his command, emphasizing that ‘every suicide means we failed somewhere.’ He notes that recruited soldiers, unlike career servicemen, often lack psychological preparedness for combat trauma.

    Ukraine’s Commissioner for Veterans’ Rights Olha Reshetylova receives reports of three to four military suicides monthly, acknowledging systemic failures: ‘They’ve seen hell. Even the strongest minds can break.’ She confirms some investigations may conceal murders under the guise of suicide and advocates for comprehensive reform of military psychological services, though acknowledges this requires years to implement.

    As these families fight for truth and recognition, Reshetylova offers a forward-looking perspective: ‘These people were your neighbors, your colleagues. They’ve walked through hell. The warmer we welcome them, there will be fewer tragedies.’