Similar philosophies but with differences. e.g. FAA reserve requirements is destination + alternate + 45 mins reserve. EASA is destination + alternate + final reserve which is 30 mins holding for jets and 45 mins for pistons IIRC. But in both cases it's that idea of a destination, an alternatite, and additional. And then there's the requirements around whether you need an alternate, etc.

See my comment, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45541096 [I am expert in CFR 14 Part 121, so I made reference to the regulations I'm qualified to directly speak on.]

I was wondering that too. I've taken it to mean "if this situation had happened in the Americas..." as the most generous interpretation I can make.