europe

cross-posted from: lemm.ee/post/59729715

Dame Maggie Smith, star of the Harry Potter films and Downton Abbey, has died at the age of 89

A statement from Dame Maggie’s sons says she died peacefully in hospital on Friday morning

Fellow Downton Abbey actor Hugh Bonneville says she was a “true legend of her generation” with a “sharp eye, sharp wit and formidable talent”

A legend of British stage and screen, Dame Maggie won two Oscars during her career - for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1970 and California Suite in 1979

cross-posted from: rss.ponder.cat/post/119578

Archived

Critics blasted President Donald Trump after he followed up a proposed Ukrainian “peace plan” — that essentially gives Russia one-sided concessions for nothing — with a speech from his private residence in Palm Beach in which he scolded Ukraine for starting the conflict.

“You’ve been there for three years. You should’ve ended it in three years. You should have never started it," said Trump.

“Fact: Russia invaded Ukraine, twice, in 2014 and 2022. President Trump is echoing a Russian talking point here,” wrote CNN’s Jim Sciutto on X.

“Trump once again blames Ukraine for starting the war. Trump blames Ukraine for invading Ukraine,” wrote former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), a one-time Tea Party activist turned conservative Never Trump crusader. “Sure, tell me Trump isn’t working for Putin. Tell me he’s not a Russian asset. Go ahead.”

“Truly, it’s time for everyone to admit it, Trump is legitimately a Russian asset,” wrote former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL).

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“TRUMP IS DISGUSTING!” wrote podcaster Ed Krassenstein. “He literally just claimed that Ukraine shouldn’t have started this war. He’s literally blaming Ukraine for starting the war & is taking Putin’s side. How can MAGA still support this man? He’s siding with a murderous dictator and spouting Russian lies.”

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“Trump claims Ukraine started the war — a total disgrace against everything America represents,” wrote conservative attorney Heath Mayo. “Don’t be shocked — be motivated. And for damn sure do not bend the knee. Stiffen your spine and get ready to win back an America with a moral compass.”

“Trump’s team allegedly has offered Putin (1) Ukrainian territory, (2) no NATO membership for Ukraine, (3) no US soldiers in Ukraine, (4) the withdrawal of US soldiers from Europe, including from frontline states, and (5) sanctions relief,” wrote former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford University political science professor Michael McFaul. “Putin’s return offer – nothing.”

“Donald Trump is the President of the United States and the Spokesperson for Vladimir Putin,” wrote Ed Davey, head of the British Liberal Democrats party. “Only we in the UK and Europe will protect Ukraine.”

Archive: archive.is/…/italy-is-getting-cold-feet-over-deal…

The Italian government is having growing doubts about closing a €1.5 billion ($1.6 billion) deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink in light of the US pullback from commitments to European security, people familiar with the matter said. 

Possible alternatives to Starlink for secure satellite-based communications to the government include Eutelsat Communications SA, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are confidential. Musk, a close ally of US President Donald Trump, is also seen as an unreliable partner by some in Meloni’s administration, they said. 

A spokesperson for the Italian government declined to comment. SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Kallas and the foreign ministers of the 27 EU Member States discussed the potential financial gap for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty at their monthly meeting in Brussels.

The Estonian politician, who grew up behind the Iron Curtain, described as “sad” the news that the US government is withdrawing its financial support for the radio station, which she called a “beacon of democracy.”

[…]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty was founded in the early years of the Cold War to promote democratic values to listeners in Eastern Bloc countries and the Soviet Union.

[…]