Mobile unveils Jimmy Buffett statue

A bronze statue of Jimmy Buffett strumming his guitar at an invisible concert memorializes the Mobile-raised musician and will draw his fans to the largest exhibit of his life on the planet, city leaders said Thursday.

Ahead of the Saturday opening of the highly anticipated “Jimmy Buffett: Son of a Son of a Sailor Experience” at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf, a seven-foot-tall likeness of the man who pioneered the “trop rock” genre of music was unveiled on the museum’s riverfront patio.

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Defending Ukraine Is Getting More Expensive, and Europe Is Struggling to Foot the Bill

Ukraine is warning that it needs tens of billions of additional dollars to continue fighting Russia and keep its government operating through the end of the year—but its European allies are increasingly uncertain they can cover the rising cost.

President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine must secure enough money to pay for its winter defenses and essential public services. Ukrainian officials report a $27 billion defense shortfall extending into the new year, driven by growing demand for drones and air-defense systems, along with soldiers’ salaries and payments to the families of those killed.

The financial pressure is mounting as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities and Black Sea shipping. Ukraine is also expanding its military while taking responsibility for a growing population of veterans.

Kyiv’s international support is falling short as well. NATO allies pledged $81 billion in military assistance this year, but Ukraine’s Defense Ministry says only $72 billion has been designated so far.

The European Union has approved a $105 billion loan package through 2027, with roughly two-thirds intended for defense. But other countries and international institutions have not supplied much of the additional financing Ukraine expected. Norway is reportedly the only non-EU country to commit to that fund so far.

European governments are now considering several difficult options: accelerating scheduled loan payments, borrowing against money planned for Ukraine’s postwar recovery or reopening the divisive debate over approximately $200 billion in frozen Russian assets.

The discussion comes amid growing political resistance. Germany’s AfD Party has gained ground while campaigning against Ukrainian aid, and French presidential contender Marine Le Pen says France can no longer afford its current level of support.

European leaders say they will honor the assistance already promised—but privately acknowledge that Ukraine may not receive everything it is requesting, and that another major funding battle is likely next year.