Belgium and Vietnam have signed agreements to collaborate on green hydrogen production during King Philippe’s historic visit to Hanoi.
Belgium’s King Philippe met with Vietnamese leaders on Tuesday as the two nations formalized cooperation agreements, including a focus on green hydrogen. This marks the first visit by a Belgian monarch to Vietnam, accompanied by a delegation of business, academic, and political representatives.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong described the visit as a milestone in bilateral relations, urging Belgium to ratify the Vietnam-EU investment protection agreement, which remains pending approval by a third of the EU’s 27 member states.
As Brussels seeks closer ties with Hanoi amid global trade tensions, high-level EU officials, including Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, are scheduled to visit Vietnam in the coming weeks.
During the visit, Belgian engineering firm John Cockerill signed provisional agreements with Vietnamese partners to explore green hydrogen production. A company spokesperson stated that these agreements could lead to the establishment of a factory in Vietnam to manufacture alkaline water electrolyzers, key components in hydrogen production. If realized, the facility would serve the broader Southeast Asian market.
Vietnam aims to generate around 15 gigawatts of hydrogen-based electricity by 2050, according to a February 2025 draft of its revised long-term power plan. This figure is slightly lower than the previous target of 16.4 GW, representing about 2% of the country's projected installed capacity by mid-century.
French authorities have launched an investigation into death threats issued against judges involved in the trial of Marine Le Pen, following her conviction on corruption charges earlier this week.
The King of the Kingdom of Gureshaba, Doku Hmaiai Hippolyte Sinewami Htamumu, has formally applied to join the Baku Initiative Group. The Kingdom of Gureshaba is located on Nenon Island in New Caledonia.
Rybelsus, an oral form of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide, has been discovered to provide similar cardiovascular benefits as the injectable forms of the drug.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other on Wednesday of violating a U.S.-brokered moratorium on attacks against energy infrastructure, raising fresh concerns over the durability of the limited truce agreed last month as a potential stepping stone toward a full ceasefire.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has tested positive for COVID-19, according to his doctor, Asim Hussain. The 70-year-old leader has been advised to remain in isolation as a precautionary measure, while his condition is reported to be improving.
A missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on 2 April has left several casualties and significant damage, with local authorities now investigating the cause and impact of the strike. The attack, which targeted a company in the city, has raised concerns about the ongoing security situation.
A devastating fire in Kuala Lumpur has left dozens injured and homes severely damaged after a gas pipeline leaked in the city’s Putra Heights district. The unexpected blaze has sparked urgent calls for improved safety measures as authorities work to investigate the cause and prevent further incident
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is in Greenland for high-level discussions, focusing on collaboration and the evolving role of the Arctic territory. The visit comes at a time of increased global interest in the region, prompting renewed dialogue on its future.
Meta announced it had been hit with a "substantial" fine for refusing to comply with Turkish government demands to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram.
French authorities have launched an investigation into death threats issued against judges involved in the trial of Marine Le Pen, following her conviction on corruption charges earlier this week.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
The World Bank reported that air pollution leads to approximately 5.7 million deaths each year, with 95% of fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income nations. It also causes economic losses amounting to 5% of global GDP due to health impacts, productivity decline, and reduced life expectancy.
France, Italy, and Slovakia have urged the EU to simplify its carbon border levy rules this year, calling for reduced red tape and standardized emissions calculations to ease the burden on businesses.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially confirmed that 2024 was a record year for renewables additions to global power capacity. Renewables represented more than 92 per cent of all new electricity generation capacity installed last year.
The Sydney opera house, and other iconic national monuments round the world turned off their lights at 8:30pm local time to commemorate earth hour.
A new national forest stretching from the Cotswolds to the Mendips is set to be created, the UK government has announced. 20 million trees set to be planted across the West of England in the coming decades, creating at least 2,500 hectares of new woodland.
A missile attack on Kryvyi Rih on 2 April has left several casualties and significant damage, with local authorities now investigating the cause and impact of the strike. The attack, which targeted a company in the city, has raised concerns about the ongoing security situation.
A devastating fire in Kuala Lumpur has left dozens injured and homes severely damaged after a gas pipeline leaked in the city’s Putra Heights district. The unexpected blaze has sparked urgent calls for improved safety measures as authorities work to investigate the cause and prevent further incident
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is in Greenland for high-level discussions, focusing on collaboration and the evolving role of the Arctic territory. The visit comes at a time of increased global interest in the region, prompting renewed dialogue on its future.
Meta announced it had been hit with a "substantial" fine for refusing to comply with Turkish government demands to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram.
French authorities have launched an investigation into death threats issued against judges involved in the trial of Marine Le Pen, following her conviction on corruption charges earlier this week.
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