Latest Ursula Von Der Leyen News

Europe posts record year for clean energy use as Trump pulls US toward fossil fuels

Jan. 23, 2025 04:09 AM EST

A record 47% of the European Union’s electricity now comes from solar and other renewables, a report Thursday said, in yet another sign of the growing gap between the bloc's push for clean energy and the new U.S. administration's pursuit of more fossil fuels. Nearly three-quarters...

As Davos 2025 reacts to Trump tack, EU chief leads defense against climate change

Jan. 21, 2025 18:52 PM EST

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — As the World Economic Forum’s annual gabfest in the Swiss Alps got into full swing on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump gave everybody something to talk about with his actions on his first day back in office. Energy industry executives could consider...

European leaders at Davos vow to stick to Paris climate agreement despite Trump's withdrawal

Jan. 21, 2025 07:34 AM EST

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — As expected, day two of the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland witnessed strong responses to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, with European leaders stating in no uncertain terms that they will hold fort and...

Billionaires' wealth soared in 2024, anti-poverty group says as the elites prepare for another Davos

Jan. 20, 2025 15:13 PM EST

DAVOS, Switzerland (AP) — Billionaires' wealth grew three times faster in 2024 than the year before, a top anti-poverty group reported on Monday as some of the world's political and financial elite prepared for an annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. Oxfam International, in its...

World Economic Forum says Trump to take part virtually in Davos meeting, days after inauguration

Jan. 14, 2025 09:39 AM EST

GENEVA (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump will take part virtually in the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos just days after his inauguration, the forum president said Tuesday. Børge Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister who heads the Geneva-based organization,...

EU's executive branch denies cover up over the health of its president, Ursula von der Leyen

Jan. 13, 2025 13:48 PM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Commission denied on Monday that it had tried to cover up the state of health of its president, Ursula von der Leyen, after the head of the EU’s executive branch was hospitalized with severe pneumonia. Von der Leyen, 66, is the EU’s most...

EU Commission chief has 'severe pneumonia' and will be out for 2 weeks

Jan. 03, 2025 12:14 PM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is ill with “severe pneumonia” and has canceled her appointments for the next two weeks, her office announced Friday. Spokesman Stefan De Keersmaeker said her agenda had to be cleared of meetings in Lisbon and...

Middle East latest: Israel plans an extended occupation of Syrian buffer zone

Dec. 17, 2024 23:35 PM EST

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops will occupy a buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future. Israel’s recent capture of the buffer zone has sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in...

Europe's economy needs help. Political chaos in France and Germany means it may be slower in coming

Dec. 08, 2024 02:17 AM EST

BRUSSELS (AP) — Even before the French and German governments collapsed, Europe’s economy had enough difficulties. Tepid growth and lagging competitiveness versus the U.S. and China. An auto industry that's struggling. Where to find billions for defense against Russia? And now Donald Trump...

The EU and a South American trade bloc reach a giant trade deal after 25 years of talks

Dec. 06, 2024 17:16 PM EST

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — The European Union reached a blockbuster free trade agreement Friday with Brazil, Argentina and the three other South American nations in the Mercosur trade alliance, capping a quarter-century of on-off negotiations even as France vowed to derail the contentious accord....