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By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
CROATIA
Croats paying their respects to the victims of the Holocaust at the 80th anniversary
On 22 April, Croatia commemorated the victims of the Jasenovac concentration camp, marking the 80th anniversary of a mass escape attempt by prisoners. The camp, notorious for its brutalities during WWII under a pro-Nazi puppet regime, saw tens of thousands perish, including Serbs, Jews, Roma, and antifascists. Croatian officials and representatives from various communities attended the ceremony, remembering the survivors of the 1945 escape attempt, where only 92 out of 600 men survived. Jasenovac was part of a larger network of camps, with estimates of over 83,000 deaths, though some claim the toll was much higher. The ceremony included a wreath-laying, candle lighting, and a solemn march along railway tracks used to transport victims. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic emphasized the importance of remembering such crimes to prevent them from being repeated. (Gavin Blackburn, “Croatia remembers tens of thousands of victims of WWII-era concentration camp,” Euronews, 22 April 2025)
CZECH REPUBLIC
Firefighters combat massive Blaze at plastic landfill in Central Czech Republic
On 22 April, Firefighters are battling a large-scale fire at a plastic landfill in Rynholec, located in the central Bohemian region of the Czech Republic. The fire, which broke out, spread across an area of at least 450 square meters, with flames reaching up to five meters high. Authorities issued a level-2 alert, mobilising extensive firefighting efforts. Fourteen firefighters suffered from overheating, and one sustained burns. The primary objective was to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the landfill. The intense heat from the blaze has made the situation challenging, as water evaporates before it can reach the flames. Firefighters have warned that the situation remains critical. (Rory Elliot Armstrong, “Firefighters battle massive fire at plastic landfill in central Czech Republic,” Euronews, 22 April 2025)
FRANCE
Macron to send EUR three billion to rebuild cyclone-affected Mayotte
On 22 April, France’s President Emmanuel Macron announced a EUR three billion package to reconstruct Mayotte, Mamoudzou, an island that is part of the French territories. This region is one of the poorest places in France and was hit by a cyclone in December 2024. This cyclone has taken the lives of 40 people and caused property damage worth EUR 3.5 billion. Four months into the disaster, President Macron, along with his wife First Lady of France, Brigitte Macron, and the agriculture and health ministers, went to the island to look at the progress made since the disaster and commented: “It is not being done well enough.” The President came up with the bill to rebuild the region, and also aims to strengthen the region by supporting the local economy, fighting against illegal immigration, housing, and insecurity. Macron said: “The plan will cost EUR 3.2 billion, which is to be spent in the years between 2025 to 2031, which will also include funding from national and international organisations.” He added that the bill is to be passed in the coming months. The locals have raised their concerns over the scarcity of water and the spread of chikungunya, and the delay in the execution of the promises made by the government. In response to the possible spread of chikungunya, Macron has started a vaccination campaign, and interest-free loans are arriving in the region. The island shelters a large number of migrants from the poorer regions, especially the Comoros Islands, who travel the Mayotte for better standards of living. (“Macron announces €3 billion plan to 'rebuild' cyclone-hit Mayotte,” France 24, 22 April 2025)
NETHERLANDS
Dutch military intelligence reports on the cyber breaches made by Russia
On 22 April, the Dutch military reported the cyber breaches from Russia, to destabilise the society. The military intelligence has also reported threats from China for its support of Russia. The Dutch Military Intelligence Agency (MIVD) and security service report annual threats the Netherlands receives from Russia to its critical infrastructure. The report also includes the attacks on the other European allies that support Ukraine in the ongoing war. According to MIVD, “The Netherlands is an interesting target economy for Moscow due to its constant support to Ukraine. In 2024, the Dutch Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, announced to send EUR 150 million to Ukraine for its air defence systems.” The MIVD agency has also warned against Russian units mapping infrastructure and their acts of sabotage in the North Sea, by destroying the internet, water, and energy cables on the seabed. According to the director of MIVS, Peter Reesink: “The attacks in 2024 were against the public services, which were aimed at controlling the systems. But this is the first time there has been a breach of the digital control systems in Netherlands.”(Ramisha Ali, “Dutch intelligence reports Russian cyber attack,” Deutsche Welle, 22 April 2025)
SPAIN
Government to meet NATO's two per cent defence target by 2025 with EUR 10.4 billion investment
On 22 April, Spain announced plans to increase its defence spending by EUR 10.4 billion to meet NATO's two per cent GDP defence target by 2025. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez confirmed the decision after a Tuesday ministerial meeting in Madrid, stressing that Spain's goal is to deter potential threats to Europe, while maintaining its pacifist stance. The new investment will focus on improving troops' working conditions (35 per cent), advancing cybersecurity and telecom technologies (31 per cent), and supporting defence and emergency response (36 per cent). Sánchez assured that this increase will not lead to higher taxes, public debt, or welfare cuts. The funds will largely come from post-pandemic recovery resources and savings from previous budgets. Additionally, around 87 per cent of the investments will benefit Spanish businesses, aiming to boost the country’s technological and industrial capabilities. Spain, historically the NATO member farthest from the two per cent target, is set to submit its plan for review by the European Commission and NATO. (Paula Soler & Roberto Macedonio, “Spain to meet NATO 2% defence target by 2025,” Euronews, 22 April 2025)
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