Von der Leyen calls for EU foreign policy to be ‘more realistic and interest-driven’

European Commission head says rules-based system can no longer be relied upon to protect the continent’s interests

Europe can “no longer be a custodian for the old-world order” and needs “a more realistic and interest-driven foreign policy”, the head of the European Commission has said.

Speaking to an audience of EU ambassadors on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen said the union “will always defend and uphold the rules-based system” but could no longer rely on it to defend European interests and shelter the continent from threats.

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Five Iranian footballers granted Australian visas after anthem protest – BBC

  1. Five Iranian footballers granted Australian visas after anthem protest  BBC
  2. Five Iranian women’s soccer players granted humanitarian visas by Australian government  CNN
  3. 5 Iranian women's soccer players receive asylum in Australia after Trump pressure  Fox News
  4. Five Iran Women soccer players defect with help of police following Asian Cup in Australia - The Athletic  The New York Times
  5. Trump says Australia should grant Iranian women’s soccer team asylum  The Washington Post
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Roman Abramovich ready to fight UK government over proceeds from £2.5bn Chelsea sale

Russian oligarch says money is his to allocate despite international sanctions imposed on his assets

The Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has stepped up his row with the British government over the £2.5bn proceeds of his sale of Chelsea FC, insisting that the money is his to allocate despite the international sanctions imposed on his assets.

The UK and EU imposed sanctions on Abramovich in 2022, freezing his assets in response to Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing his ties to Vladimir Putin’s regime.

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RAF jets have taken out two more drones, says Healey – BBC

  1. RAF jets have taken out two more drones, says Healey  BBC
  2. British aircraft carrier will not be sent to Middle East, say officials  Financial Times
  3. UK preparing aircraft carrier for possible Middle East deployment  The Guardian
  4. Britain’s aircraft carrier may need French escort  The Telegraph
  5. Facts and figures on HMS Prince of Wales as it is prepared for action  The Independent
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Yorkshire Water receives fresh funding despite sewage fines and pay row

Private equity group EQT to take 42% stake as supplier faces scrutiny over environmental record and CEO’s pay

A leading European investor will pump fresh funding into Yorkshire Water including helping to cover a £600m loan, despite recent heavy sewage fines and a scandal over executive pay at the utility company.

EQT, a Swedish private equity group, said on Monday it would take a 42% stake in Kelda Holdings, the Jersey-registered parent company of Yorkshire Water, which has 5.7 million customers across Yorkshire and parts of the East Midlands and Lincolnshire.

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Turkey Says NATO Defenses Shot Down a Second Iranian Missile – The New York Times

  1. Turkey Says NATO Defenses Shot Down a Second Iranian Missile  The New York Times
  2. Turkey says NATO defences shot down second incoming Iranian missile  Reuters
  3. Turkiye says Iranian ballistic missile intercepted by NATO air defences  Al Jazeera
  4. Erdogan: We have delivered warnings to Iran about missile fire  The Times of Israel
  5. Iran-US war: Israel launches new strikes as Iran missile shot down in Nato airspace  The Independent
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Greek-operated tanker with Saudi oil cargo sails through Hormuz, ship tracking data shows – Reuters

  1. Greek-operated tanker with Saudi oil cargo sails through Hormuz, ship tracking data shows  Reuters
  2. No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz  CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies
  3. There's another big reason why shipping companies and insurers aren't willing to risk the Strait of Hormuz  CNBC
  4. Middle East conflict hits shipping, oil prices and other international trade stories to know this month  The World Economic Forum
  5. See tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz come to a standstill  Reuters
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