The chance for peace between Moscow and Kiev was lost in 2022 due to the meddling of the then-British prime minister, Andrej Babis has said Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has accused former British leader Boris Johnson of derailing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine early on in the conflict. The former British prime minister has long been regarded as one of the key figures behind the continuing hostilities and is believed to have torpedoed the first peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul in March 2022. According to former Ukrainian head negotiator David Arakhamia and multiple corroborating media reports, Johnson told the Ukrainian leadership at the time to scrap negotiations with Russia and “just fight.” Russia has accused the former prime minister of derailing the peace process, though he has denied the allegations. Babis reiterated the claims in an interview with TN.cz on Saturday, noting that Russia and Ukraine were close to reaching a peace deal ...
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Will Lewis’ departure comes after the paper cut 30% of its staff while struggling to maintain readership Will Lewis has stepped down as CEO and publisher of the Washington Post, days after a sweeping round of layoffs that affected virtually every desk. In recent years, the paper has reeled under a drastic fall in audience numbers and ad revenue. In a message to staff shared by several outlets on Saturday, Lewis, who held the post since early 2024, said “difficult decisions” were made “to ensure the sustainable future of The Post,” adding that he believes the outlet will keep publishing “high-quality nonpartisan news” for years to come. Unions representing employees welcomed Lewis’ departure, condemning his legacy as the “attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution” and urging owner Jeff Bezos to reverse course. Read more Washington Post web traffic plummets nearly 90% – media ”Will Lewis’s exit is long overdue,” the Washington Post Guild said, adding ...
The crises have paralyzed growth and resulted in a significant GDP shortfall, the German Economic Institute has said Germany has lost more than $1 trillion in GDP output over the past six years as successive crises pushed the economy into prolonged stagnation, according to the German Economic Institute (IW). A study released on Saturday cited the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and US tariff policies as the main drivers of the losses. The IW compared Germany’s pre-crisis 2019 economic trajectory with hypothetical growth absent pandemics and geopolitical shocks against actual real GDP performance from 2020 to 2025. The institute estimated the shortfall in price-adjusted GDP over the six-year period at €940 billion ($1.1 trillion). In household terms, this represents income Germany failed to earn, translating into a loss of over €20,000 in added value per employed person. Read more The German economic report: Talk is cheap, unlike everything else Economic losses from 2...
Jack Lang, the president of the Arab World Institute, is under investigation over alleged “aggravated tax fraud laundering” Jack Lang, the president of France’s Arab World Institute, has offered his resignation after his past contact with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein triggered a money laundering probe at home, according to several media outlets. The move followed the announcement on Friday by French prosecutors that they opened a preliminary investigation into Lang – a veteran French politician who has served as culture and education minister – and his daughter Caroline for alleged “aggravated tax fraud laundering.” The probe was launched after revelations by investigative outlet Mediapart into possible financial links to Epstein. The files do not suggest that Lang was involved in the late financier’s sexual crimes. Read more Davos forum ‘tainted’ by Epstein revelations – Putin envoy Lang’s name appeared hundreds of times in US Justice Department documents released i...
Cheers for Team USA were drowned out by jeers when the screens in San Siro Stadium showed the vice president and his wife US President Donald Trump expressed surprise after hearing that Vice President J.D. Vance was booed at the Olympics opening ceremony in Italy. The Winter Olympics officially opened on Friday, with the traditional Parade of Nations at Milan’s iconic San Siro Stadium. Team USA entered the stadium to applause, though when the cameras briefly showed Vance and his wife Usha waving American flags from the stands, the booing began. “Oops... those are a lot of boos for him... whistling, jeering, some applause. Not a long shot for him on the screen there,” CBC commentator said on the live feed. The video quickly went viral on social media. Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One on Friday, said he hadn’t seen the broadcast but found the reception “surprising.” Given his and his president's attitudes and actions, the booing was nothing surprising. Has anything like t...
Lasting stability in Europe will depend on a “strong partnership” between Brussels and Ankara, Marta Kos has said The EU is looking to rekindle its contentious relationship with Türkiye, Politico reported on Friday, citing EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos. Kos said Brussels will need a “strong partnership” with Ankara once the Ukraine conflict is settled. Relations between Ankara and Brussels have worsened in recent years amid stalled EU accession talks, disputes over the Customs Union, migration tensions, and Türkiye’s foreign policy. The EU also accused Türkiye of democratic backsliding over what it calls repression of opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – a label Ankara rejects as politically motivated, accusing Brussels of double standards. However, according to Kos, Türkiye’s potential role in a post-conflict order – including as a peacekeeper and regional powerbroker in the Black Sea – could make it a critical partner. “Peace in Ukraine will change the re...