24.03.2025 – WEEKLY BRIEFING

Reymonta
5–7 minutes
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
  • EU slams the door on US in colossal defense plan – 19.03.2025

The European Union’s new €800 billion defense spending plan, Readiness 2030, prioritizes European arms-makers while excluding U.S. and U.K. defense firms, though Britain’s status could change. The initiative aims to reduce reliance on the U.S. and strengthen Europe’s defense industry, partly in response to Russia’s threat and concerns over U.S. strategic shifts under President Trump. The plan includes a €150 billion loan program (SAFE) for EU members, with potential participation from Ukraine, EFTA nations, and EU candidate countries like Türkiye and Serbia. France, a major arms producer, pushed for strict rules favoring European firms, requiring 65% of components to be EU-made and restricting foreign access to classified information. The plan also allows EU countries to temporarily exceed public spending limits for defense and provides financing until 2030, with loans repayable over 45 years.

  • Serbia’s government resigns as Vučić floats idea of fresh elections – 19.03.2025

Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s government resigned, with President Aleksandar Vučić suggesting early elections could be held on June 8 if a new government is not formed within 30 days. The resignation follows mass protests over the collapse of Novi Sad’s train station, which killed 15 people and was linked to corruption in a China-backed renovation project. Despite government resignations, protesters remain dissatisfied, demanding full transparency on railway contracts. Meanwhile, European Parliament members urged EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to reconsider meeting Vučić, criticizing the EU for ignoring Serbia’s democratic decline and calling for a transitional government to ensure fair elections.

  • Trump rescinds order targeting law firm after it makes $40m promise – 21.03.2025

U.S. President Donald Trump has rescinded an executive order against the international law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP after the firm agreed to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and provide $40 million worth of pro bono legal services to support White House initiatives. Trump’s March 14 order had canceled the firm’s federal contracts and suspended its lawyers’ security clearances, accusing it of undermining the U.S. judicial system. The reversal came after a meeting between Trump and Paul Weiss Chairman Brad Karp. As part of the agreement, the firm committed to merit-based hiring and promotion and pledged to eliminate DEI policies. The deal has sparked controversy within the legal community, with some lawyers condemning it as a capitulation to political pressure. Prominent Democratic attorney Marc Elias called it a “shameful surrender,” while others argued that the firm had little choice, as losing its security clearances could have jeopardized its work with major corporate and financial clients.

  • Pope Francis must relearn to speak after oxygen therapy, cardinal says – 22.03.2025

Pope Francis is gradually regaining strength in the hospital but must relearn to speak due to the drying effects of high-flow oxygen therapy, according to Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez. The 88-year-old pontiff has been hospitalized for five weeks with double pneumonia, and while his breathing and mobility have shown minor improvements, there is no official timeline for his return to the Vatican. The Vatican confirmed he has not needed mechanical ventilation since Monday but continues to receive oxygen through a nasal tube. Fernandez dismissed speculation about the pope’s resignation, stating that Francis remains committed to his duties and wants to dedicate his remaining time to others.

  • Israel strikes Lebanon after first rocket attack since ceasefire – 22.03.2025

Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon after rockets were fired into Israel for the first time since the November ceasefire. While Hezbollah denied involvement and reaffirmed its commitment to the truce, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered a strong military response. Lebanon reported two deaths, including a child, and eight injuries. The Lebanese army found and dismantled rocket launchers, while the UN urged restraint. Despite frequent Israeli strikes, Hezbollah has not retaliated, facing internal pressures and calls for disarmament. The conflict, which escalated after Hezbollah joined the war in support of Hamas in October 2023, has left 4,000 dead in Lebanon and displaced 1.2 million people.

  • Trump targets Biden, Harris in US security clearance purge – 22.03.2025

U.S. President Donald Trump revoked the security clearances of former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and several other senior officials, including Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and Hillary Clinton. The move, seen as political retaliation, also targeted Biden’s family members and Trump critics like Liz Cheney and Fiona Hill. Trump cited the need to restrict their access to classified material and government facilities. The decision follows Biden’s 2021 revocation of Trump’s clearance and comes after Trump was investigated for mishandling classified documents, a case that was dropped after his return to office.

  • 50,000 killed in Gaza since start of Israel-Hamas war, health ministry says – 23.03.2025

Since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’ attack that killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, reports from the United Nations indicate that the majority of casualties are women and children. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) dispute these figures, claiming they include deaths unrelated to the conflict. After a temporary ceasefire collapsed in January 2025, hostilities resumed with intensified Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, leading to widespread displacement of Gaza’s population and worsening the humanitarian crisis, including famine and a crippled healthcare system. While Hamas insists on a ceasefire agreement that would include Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, Israel has maintained that its military presence will continue unless all hostages are released. Diplomatic efforts to restore a truce have failed, and Israel has warned of an escalation in its military campaign.

  • Istanbul mayor jailed on day of likely presidential nomination – 23.03.2025

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was placed in pre-trial detention on charges of corruption, bribery, and misconduct, along with several municipal officials. He also faces accusations of “aiding an armed terrorist group,” which he denies, calling the charges politically motivated and harmful to Turkey’s international reputation. His arrest coincided with the day the Republican People’s Party (CHP) was expected to officially nominate him as its presidential candidate in a primary vote involving 1.5 million party members. The decision sparked mass protests across the country, leading to heavy police intervention and the detention of hundreds of demonstrators. While the government dismissed claims of political motivation, CHP leader Özgür Özel argued that İmamoğlu’s detention stemmed from President Erdoğan’s fear of losing an election. Following the arrest, the CHP expanded its primary process, allowing non-members to cast a “solidarity vote” in support of İmamoğlu. Voters saw the high turnout as a strong message against the government. Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş and other opposition figures condemned the arrest as evidence of judicial politicization, while ongoing protests and growing political tensions indicate continued unrest in the country.

Discover more from Reymonta

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a comment

Discover more from Reymonta

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading