Photo : AFP
07 August 2024, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #904
By Samruddhi Pathak
THE UK
Starmer promises action against rioters
On 05 August, UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a speech that full force of law will come upon those involved in the riots. He condemned attacks on mosques and the Muslim community in the UK. The riots took place due to false information that the teenage attacker was a Muslim immigrant while the officials have made it clear that the stabber was a UK-born national to Rwandan parents. He also advised social media platforms to take some responsibility over the furious content circulation online. He said even cybercrime will be met with the full force of law. Rioters in northern England also attacked a hotel, supposedly housing asylum seekers. According to Deutsche Welle, a 41-year-old, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who led the English Defence League and was a far-right Muslim agitator, has a prominent role behind inciting violence. Another leader, Nigel Farage, from the right-wing Reform UK party, has been instigating anti-immigrant sentiments among people after the Southport attack. (“UK riots: PM Starmer pledges swift action toward agitators,” Deutsche Welle, 05 August 2024)
AUSTRIA
Last Generation ends the campaign
On 06 August, climate activist group Last Generation announced that it was ending its campaign in Austria as there was no hope of improvement from the Government. The branch office said that the Government has shown complete incompetence and there are no prospects of success. The group said that the Government is choosing ignorance on its use of fossil fuels. The group had taken different measures like blocking roads and getting glued to runways to protest against climate change. However, the Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer wrote on X that he is glad that the “nonsense is over.” He has previously described the protestors as extremists. Most climate change activists have been subject to jail times, fines and bans by the European governments. (“‘Austria wants to remain in fossil ignorance’: Climate activist group to end campaign,” Politico, 06 August 2024)
CYPRUS
Central Bank revises GDP growth to three per cent
On 06 August, the Central Bank of Cyprus published its Economic Bulletin June 2024 edition. In the Bulletin, the Bank revised the projected GDP growth rate to three per cent, increasing it by 0.2 per cent. The bulletin said that the impact of the Middle East conflict is limited. The growth is mainly driven by the domestic demand rather than the export demand. Also, the upward trend is due to better-than-expected economic returns in tourism services, trade and construction, and an expected decrease in inflation due to the eurozone's unified monetary policy. The Bulletin said that the projection is “conservative.” Meanwhile, it also recognises the volatility of the economy due to the uncertain external environment. The Bank highlighted the role of the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility in supporting economic activity in Cyprus. Employment in the country will also increase by 1.6 per cent and inflation by 2.1 per cent as per the Bulletin. (“CBC revises Cyprus’ GDP growth forecast for 2024 to 3 per cent,” Cyprus Mail, 06 August 2024)
Cyprus-US joint air force exercise
On 06 August, the Defence Ministry of Cyprus announced that Cyprus and the US air forces would hold joint exercises from 06 to 08 August. The joint training will involve the air forces and the army of both countries. The announcement comes due to conflict in the Middle East demanding a greater American air force presence. A few weeks ago, the Minister of Transport of Israel said that Israel might ask Cyprus for naval assistance if the conflict escalated. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has threatened Cyprus and said it will consider Cyprus “a part of the war.” Last week, according to the Washington Post, the US sent 12 warships and an aircraft carrier to the region to prepare for the war it is trying to avoid. (“Cyprus-US joint air force exercises planned,” Cyprus Mail, 06 August 2024)
FRANCE
Masses of ice break off from the Mont Blanc glacier
On 05 August, one person died and four were injured when a block of ice, known as sérac, fell in the Mont Blanc du Tacul region. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Western Europe, on the France-Italy border. The deceased person was a French national. The person was mountaineering with a group of 15 people, the group included Spanish and Swiss citizens as well. Officials have said the breaking of ice blocks is a natural process making mountaineering a dangerous sport. (“France: 1 dead in Mont Blanc glacier ice fall,” Deutsche Welle, 06 August 2024)
NORTH MACEDONIA
Two million fake EUR two coins were produced
On 06 August, Europol issued a statement in which it said that a Macedonian national has been uncovered in a forgery operation wherein the accused was producing EUR two coins on a mass level. The operation was carried out by Macedonian, Kosovar and Europol officials. The accused was an employee at the Ministry of Interior, North Macedonia. The accused was also found in possession of a machine for production of counterfeit currency and “thousands of assembled coins and core blanks.” Today, Kosovo is facing an epidemic of counterfeit currency. The country adopted Euro as its currency in 2002, however, it is not a part of the Eurozone. The most common counterfeit note is EUR 20 banknote in Europe. (“Macedonian ministry employee arrested for mass-producing fake €2 coins,” Politico, 06 August 2024)