US and Ukraine to work on strengthening air defences, Zelenskyy says, after name Trump says was ‘significant’ – Europe stay

EU and US negotiators will maintain ultimate stretch talks via the weekend as Brussels chases a deal earlier than a 9 July deadline to keep away from the return of steep tariffs, diplomats mentioned, as reported by AFP.

If the European Union doesn’t clinch an settlement with the USA by Wednesday subsequent week, larger levies will snap again in and unleash financial ache on the bloc.

Throughout a Friday briefing for member states, a senior EU official informed nations there was no deal but however talks would proceed “seemingly over the weekend”, an EU diplomat informed AFP.

We’re now getting a bit extra on this creating story with Ukraine saying {that a} Russian strike hit energy line to the plant, inflicting blackout.

As we wait to listen to from Trump, the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company mentioned the Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant in Ukraine has misplaced all off-site energy right now.

They mentioned it’s the ninth time this occurred throughout “army battle,” however added that it’s solely the primary time since late 2023.

“The ZNPP at present depends on energy from its emergency diesel turbines, underlining extraordinarily precarious nuclear security scenario,” it added.

AFP famous that the facility plant’s six reactors are all shut down however the plant requires energy to its cooling techniques for security.

European capitals scorched by excessive warmth this week – comparable to Berlin, Paris and Madrid – can count on to see twice as many heatwave days by the tip of the century, a brand new evaluation from Local weather Analytics has discovered, until sooner motion is taken to scale back fossil gasoline air pollution.

Present local weather insurance policies are projected to warmth the planet by about 2-3C by the tip of the century, a stage of warming that can translate into a catastrophic worsening of climate extremes.

The evaluation discovered annual heatwave days are set to greater than double by the tip of the century in Paris (to 41 days) and Berlin (to 48 days). In Madrid, they’re on monitor to virtually triple (to 57 days).

Athens and Rome may count on to see 58 and 61 heatwave days, respectively.

Invoice Hare, CEO of Local weather Analytics, mentioned it was essential that folks understood the hazards of overshooting 1.5C of world warming – the extent world leaders agreed to goal for by 2100 at a local weather convention in Paris 10 years in the past – and that they redoubled efforts to chop air pollution if it was breached.

“It’s doubly disappointing in the identical week that European residents have been dropping family members to unmanageable warmth, that the EU has watered down its personal 2040 local weather goal,” he mentioned.

On Wednesday, the European Fee proposed slicing planet-heating air pollution by 90% by 2040 however – in a bid to win over reluctant member states – allowed the restricted buy of overseas carbon credit to offset sluggish motion at residence. The proposal fell in need of suggestions from the EU’s personal local weather science advisors, who had referred to as for a 90-90% goal with out using offsets.

“We want European management on this difficulty now greater than ever,” mentioned Hare. “Watering down commitments is totally the flawed transfer on the flawed time.”

Lorenzo Tondo

in Palermo

The variety of individuals injured in a large gasoline explosion at a petroleum station in Rome on Friday has risen to 45, with two in a essential situation. Among the many wounded are law enforcement officials, firefighters and emergency staff who had responded to an earlier, smaller blast triggered when a truck struck a gasoline pipe.

The second explosion, which occurred within the northeast of the capital, was highly effective sufficient to be heard throughout town, sending a wave of panic via neighbourhoods. A thick column of smoke was seen from many areas of Rome.

The injured have been taken to 9 hospitals throughout town. They embody native residents damage by flying shards from shattered home windows. Medical officers mentioned six individuals have been in a “code pink” situation, with two on life assist. The critically injured pair suffered burns over 55% and 25% of their our bodies, together with inhalation trauma and barotrauma – accidents attributable to the drive of the air displacement from the blast.

Of the 45 injured, 24 are civilians, 12 are law enforcement officials, six are firefighters and three are emergency companies personnel.

Fabio Balzani, who manages a close-by summer time camp, informed state company Ansa it was lucky the explosion occurred early within the day. “It could have been a bloodbath if the standard 60 youngsters and 120 pool friends had been there,” he mentioned. Early-morning workers and the primary youngsters to reach have been evacuated after the preliminary gasoline odor was detected.

Environmental marketing campaign group Legambiente referred to as for fewer petrol and gasoline stations in city areas, warning that excessive summer time warmth raises the chance of such incidents. Taxpayers’ affiliation Federcontribuenti added that “the ability mustn’t have been positioned in that location”.

Well being authorities issued warnings in regards to the risks of publicity to Liquid Petroleum Fuel (LPG). “LPG, a mix of propane and butane, if inhaled in excessive concentrations could cause nausea, dizziness, neurological points, lack of consciousness and, in probably the most extreme circumstances, asphyxiation,” mentioned the Italian Society of Environmental Medication (SIMA). “Direct contact with the cryogenic liquid may also end in chilly burns and severe pores and skin harm.”

Native residents have been suggested to maintain home windows shut as fumes and ash from the blaze continued to unfold via the world.

Jakub Krupa

As we wait to listen to from Trump on his name with Zelenskyy, let me carry you updates on that gasoline explosion in Rome earlier right now and on the European heatwave.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned he spoke with US president Donald Trump about the necessity to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence amid escalating Russian assaults on Ukrainian cities.

In a quick be aware about their name, revealed on Telegram, he mentioned the US president was “very properly knowledgeable” in regards to the scenario in Ukraine, because the pair mentioned “the chances of air defence and agreed that we are going to work on rising the safety within the sky.”

He mentioned they agreed to maintain a separate assembly between their groups on this difficulty.

Zelenskyy added that in addition they talked in regards to the alternatives for joint arms manufacturing, saying “we’re prepared for direct initiatives with America,” in addition to potential different joint purchases and investments.

The Ukrainian president additionally handed his finest needs on the US Independence Day, thanking for the US assist to this point.

“We’ve got accomplished loads along with America and assist all efforts to cease the killings and restore a standard, steady, dignified peace. A good settlement is required for peace, and Ukraine helps American proposals,” he mentioned.

Jakub Krupa

If and after we hear from Trump or Zelenskyy, I’ll carry you their feedback right here instantly.

Andriy Yermak, probably the most senior aide to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, mentioned in a quick social media replace that the decision with Trump was “an important and significant dialog between the presidents.”

“All particulars will likely be obtainable very quickly,” he added.

In the meantime, German journal Spiegel experiences that German chancellor Friedrich Merz additionally spoke with US president Donald Trump, discussing the scenario in Ukraine and EU-US commerce.

Spiegel reported that Trump made no commitments through the name, with Germany reportedly calling for extra assist for Ukraine on air defence.

Russia pummelled Kyiv with the biggest drone assault of the warfare, killing one individual, injuring not less than 23 and damaging buildings throughout the capital hours after US president Donald Trump spoke to Russia’s Vladimir Putin, officers mentioned on Friday.

Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early night till daybreak as Russia launched what Ukraine’s Air Power mentioned was a complete of 539 drones and 11 missiles.

Households huddled in underground metro stations for shelter. Acrid smoke hung over town centre. Kyiv’s army administration chief mentioned on Friday afternoon a physique had been discovered within the wreckage of one of many strike websites.

Jakub Krupa

That brings you updated on most essential issues occurring in Europe right now.

Let’s return to Ukraine, as we wait extra particulars on that a lot anticipated Trump-Zelenskyy name.

A strike by French air visitors controllers entered its second day, leaving many passengers stranded initially of Europe’s peak journey season, Reuters reported.

Civil aviation company DGAC informed airways to cancel 40% of flights on the three fundamental Paris airports due to the strike, which the air visitors controllers say is over workers shortages and ageing gear.

As much as half of flights at France’s different airports, principally within the south, have been additionally affected, DGAC added.

The Airways for Europe (A4E) foyer group mentioned late on Thursday that 1,500 flights had been cancelled over the two-day strike, affecting 300,000 passengers and inflicting cascading delays.

Finland’s president Alexander Stubb permitted the nation’s withdrawal from a treaty banning anti-personnel mines, citing a “deteriorated safety scenario” and longer-term risk from Russia, AFP reported.

Finnish lawmakers voted to go away the anti-landmine Ottawa Conference in June however the resolution wanted to be signed by the president.

“Finland just isn’t going through a direct army risk, however the modifications within the working setting require that we strengthen our defence,” Stubb mentioned in a press release.

“We’ve got a protracted border with Russia, which isn’t a celebration to the Ottawa Settlement. We’ve got seen how Russia wages warfare right now.”

AFP famous that Finland’s resolution will come into impact six months after the nation formally notifies the United Nations.

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia, in addition to Poland, additionally plan to exit the treaty.