India and Europe agree on nearly half of trade deal ‘chapters’

EU climate chief Wopke Hoekstra warned that climate change could "quadruple" the likelihood of conflict over scarce resources, highlighting concerns raised by military officials regarding the impact of environmental issues on security. He emphasized the connection between resource access and warfare, noting that climate-related challenges are already affecting military operations in Europe and the US, including increased demand for military assistance during extreme weather events. Hoekstra called for a balance between military capabilities and greener...

The New European, a newspaper launched in response to the Brexit referendum, will rebrand as The New World, shifting its focus to global political and cultural issues nine years post-Brexit. Under the leadership of Matt Kelly and support from a consortium, the publication has transitioned to a magazine format while maintaining its anti-Brexit stance and commitment to liberal democracy. Despite currently trading at a small loss, it achieved significant growth, tripling revenues since 2021 and...

SummaryAustralia's Trade Minister Don Farrell has stated that Brussels needs to present a "better offer" to Australian beef and sheep farmers to finalize a trade deal, following the breakdown of talks in October 2023. Despite a positive diplomatic atmosphere, unresolved issues regarding agricultural market access remain, with Australia seeking a beef quota of 40,000 tonnes compared to the EU's offer of 24,000 tonnes. Farrell emphasized that while goodwill exists, significant compromises are still needed from...

The EU Drugs Agency has issued a warning about the increasing potency of cannabis in Europe, with current strains being five times stronger than those from the 1969 Woodstock festival, raising concerns about a higher risk of psychosis. As five EU countries, including Germany and the Netherlands, explore legalization, agency director Alexis Goosdeel emphasized that regulation could help manage cannabis strength. The average THC content in cannabis resin has nearly doubled between 2013 and 2023,...

This article discusses key events involving German Chancellor Friedrich Merz meeting US President Donald Trump, with EU leaders hoping for a positive outcome. NATO defense ministers are set to discuss raising defense spending to 5% of GDP, addressing military capabilities such as air defense and logistics, in response to Trump's demands. Additionally, Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean outlines the country's progress toward energy independence from Russia, including the construction of a new electricity line with...

The EU is urging China to ease export restrictions on rare earth elements, which are critical for the car industry, as production risks halting due to shortages caused by China's new licensing system. European trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič raised concerns with Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao, noting the severe impact on manufacturers like Ford. China, which processes 90% of rare earth magnets, is facing pressure to clarify export data, while EU officials emphasize the need...