Latest news with #FinancialTimes'
Budapest Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Budapest Times
FM: Phasing out EU's imports of Russian gas and oil by end of 2027 would ruin Hungary
Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warned that a plan drafted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would put an end to Hungary's energy security. Minister Szijjártó told the Financial Times' Energy Transition Summit in Athens that the RePowerEU roadmap for phasing out the European Union's imports of Russian gas and oil by the end of 2027 would 'ruin' Hungary, as the country couldn't manage its energy supply without deliveries from Russia. The foreign minister warned that, if the plan was implemented, the cost of Hungary's energy supply would climb by an annual EUR 2bn, causing household utility bills to double or triple. Minister Szijjártó said Hungary's energy supply was determined solely by geography and infrastructure, not by politics or ideology. He added that Russia had been the most dependable source of energy for Hungary so far. 'That is not a political declaration. That is not for ideological reasons. Rather, it is based on facts and our experience,' he said. Minister Szijjártó noted that Hungary, a landlocked country, had spent several hundred million euros on interconnectors with the energy networks of its neighbours in recent years. He also called out the EC for failing to provide financial support for the expansion of the gas network in Southeast Europe to support diversification. He said the plan to phase out Russian hydrocarbon imports would violate Hungary's sovereignty, as decisions on the national energy mix were in the scope of power of member states, according to the EU treaties. Instead of supporting diversification, the plan would lead to strong dependency, he added. Minister Szijjártó said the government would fight against the plan in order to preserve Hungary's energy security. 'We're not alone in the matter, as Slovakia is in a similar situation and depends on the same delivery routes,' he added. He welcomed the exclusion of Russian nuclear fuel from the plan, but suggested a close cooperation between the nuclear energy industries of Western Europe and Russia was the reason for the decision. 'That isn't a problem, but a double standard shouldn't be applied,' he added. Minister Szijjártó said energy diversification was important for Hungary's government, but only in the sense of tapping new sources, not exchanging one source of supply for another.
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Business Standard
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
In UK, Yunus says no direct communication with British PM
Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that he has had no direct communication with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in connection with the recovery of stolen money allegedly under the previous Hasina regime in Dhaka. Downing Street sources indicated that no formal meeting had been agreed during the Chief Adviser's visit to London this week. Yunus told The Financial Times' newspaper that the UK has a moral responsibility to assist Bangladesh in tracing and retrieving funds stolen by the previous regime and allegedly funnelled into Britain. I have no direct conversation with him, Yunus told the Financial Times' with reference to Starmer. I have no doubt he would support us. This is stolen money We need the support from the people of Great Britain, he said. The 84-year-old Nobel Laureate took over as the head of the interim government after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a massive student-led protest in Bangladesh in August last year. She is believed to be living in exile in India since then. In December, an anti-graft panel in Bangladesh had launched an investigation against Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant. Yunus, who is currently in the UK on a four-day visit, is on a mission to bring out more enthusiastic support, the Chief Adviser added. Hasina's niece and Labour party MP in UK, Tulip Siddiq, had resigned as a minister in the Starmer Cabinet in the wake of allegations against her family benefitting from Hasina's Awami League regime. She has denied any wrongdoing and had sought her own meeting with Yunus during his UK visit. This is a legal issue a legal process. It's not personal involving me, said Yunus, refusing any meeting with Siddiq. On June 1, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal indicted Hasina, in absentia, and two others on several charges, including mass murder, for their alleged role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests last year.
The Print
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
In UK, Yunus says no direct communication with British PM
Yunus told 'The Financial Times' newspaper that the UK has a 'moral responsibility' to assist Bangladesh in tracing and retrieving funds 'stolen' by the previous regime and allegedly funnelled into Britain. Downing Street sources indicated that no formal meeting had been agreed during the Chief Adviser's visit to London this week. London, Jun 12 (PTI) Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that he has had no direct communication with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in connection with the recovery of 'stolen money' allegedly under the previous Hasina regime in Dhaka. 'I have no direct conversation with him,' Yunus told the 'Financial Times' with reference to Starmer. 'I have no doubt he would support us. This is stolen money… We need the support from the people of Great Britain,' he said. The 84-year-old Nobel Laureate took over as the head of the interim government after former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a massive student-led protest in Bangladesh in August last year. She is believed to be living in exile in India since then. In December, an anti-graft panel in Bangladesh had launched an investigation against Hasina and her family in connection with the allegations of embezzling USD 5 billion in the Rooppur nuclear power plant. Yunus, who is currently in the UK on a four-day visit, is on a mission to 'bring out more enthusiastic support,' the Chief Adviser added. Hasina's niece and Labour party MP in UK, Tulip Siddiq, had resigned as a minister in the Starmer Cabinet in the wake of allegations against her family benefitting from Hasina's Awami League regime. She has denied any wrongdoing and had sought her own meeting with Yunus during his UK visit. 'This is a legal issue… a legal process. It's not personal involving me,' said Yunus, refusing any meeting with Siddiq. On June 1, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal indicted Hasina, in absentia, and two others on several charges, including mass murder, for their alleged role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests last year. PTI AK NPK NPK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newsom brands Trump a 'dictator' after National Guard deployed
California Governor Gavin Newsom accused US President Donald Trump of acting like a 'dictator' by sending the National Guard into Los Angeles to quell protests. It marks the first time that federal troops have been deployed on domestic soil against the wishes of state authorities since the 1960s. Police officers clashed with crowds Sunday, the third day of protests sparked by border authorities' raids on suspected undocumented migrants. Trump is testing the boundaries of executive power, the Financial Times' Washington correspondent wrote: He used a rarely invoked law originally written to suppress rebellions against the federal government to deploy the troops, with legal scholars arguing the moves are in breach of the US Constitution.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Kia Unveils PV5 WAV
KIA CORPORATION has unveiled its latest innovation in accessible transport with the debut of its PV5 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) at the Financial Times' Future of the Car Summit, held in collaboration with the UK's Motability Operations Ltd. The showcase marks a significant advancement in Kia's global commitment to inclusive and sustainable mobility. The PV5 WAV, part of Kia's expanding Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) portfolio, represents a fusion of advanced electric vehicle technology and inclusive design. Developed specifically for individuals with mobility challenges, the model exemplifies the automaker's vision of a future where transport is equitable, sustainable, and accessible to all. Sangdae Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of the PBV Division at Kia, emphasised that the PV5 WAV is not merely a mode of transport, but a symbol of autonomy and empowerment. He noted that by combining innovative PBV architecture with human-centric design, Kia aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities can participate fully in the transition to electric mobility. The need for accessible transport is growing globally due to rising life expectancy and an ageing population, which is creating increasing demand for WAVs. Simultaneously, the decline in availability of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which were often adapted into WAVs, has created an urgent need for purpose-built electric alternatives. Kia's PV5 WAV is a direct response to this shift, offering a ready-made electric solution for the next era of mobility. Kia's efforts to champion mobility for all are long-standing. Since 2012, the company has implemented initiatives like the 'Green Trip' project in South Korea, aimed at improving travel access for people with disabilities. In 2021, Kia expanded its reach through a universal mobility pilot project in Los Angeles, providing accessible ride-hailing services for those with specific mobility needs. The new PV5 WAV has been meticulously designed to cater not only to wheelchair users but also to their caregivers and family members. Key features include a side-entry configuration for safe kerbside boarding, a third-row tip-up seat to facilitate assistance, and a reinforced entry ramp capable of supporting up to 300kg. The wheelchair restraint system has also been specially developed to maximise safety and ease of use. Manufacturing of the side-entry variant will take place at Kia's Hwaseong EVO Plant in Korea. The facility employs the company's Made-In-Plant system, which prioritises environmentally sustainable production processes. This approach aligns with Kia's broader strategy of reducing environmental impact while lowering entry barriers for those in need of accessible transport. On the technology front, the PV5 WAV integrates accessibility applications built on the Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS), ensuring intuitive operation for users with diverse needs. Kia's collaboration with Motability Operations, the UK's leading vehicle leasing provider for disabled drivers, is central to the rollout strategy. Through the Motability Scheme, individuals receiving eligible disability benefits are able to lease adapted vehicles that enable access to employment, healthcare, education and daily independence. This partnership strengthens Kia's role as a leader in sustainable, customer-focused mobility solutions. Looking ahead, Kia intends to extend its PBV WAV offerings beyond the UK, bringing the benefits of the PV5 to new markets as part of a global expansion of its inclusive mobility portfolio. This move reinforces the brand's objective of delivering electric, accessible solutions that serve humanity at large.
