Russian drones kill three in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, governor says
Late on Thursday evening, Russian drone strikes in northeastern Ukraine’s Kharkiv region resulted in the deaths of three people and left three other...
A tense one-day summit in Beijing has exposed widening divisions between the European Union and China on trade, Russia and rare earth supplies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described relations with China as being at a “clear inflection point” following a shortened summit in Beijing on Thursday, where she and European Council President Antonio Costa met with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.
The meeting, cut to a single day at China’s request, marked 50 years of EU-China ties but was overshadowed by disagreements on trade policy, geopolitical alignment, and supply chain disruptions.
Von der Leyen said the bloc had raised concerns over Chinese industrial overcapacity, limited market access, and export controls on rare earths, which had affected European automotive production in May. Xi, in turn, warned the EU to avoid “restrictive economic and trade tools” and maintained that China is not a source of Europe’s challenges.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation on climate change, issuing a joint statement pledging efforts on carbon markets, energy transition and green technology.
The EU also called on China to use its influence to encourage Russia to end its war in Ukraine, with von der Leyen stating the need for a ceasefire and genuine negotiations.
China’s exports of rare earth magnets to the EU surged 245% in June from May, reaching 1,364 tonnes, though still 35% lower than the same month last year. Von der Leyen said Brussels welcomed China's efforts to streamline export licences.
The EU’s trade deficit with China reached €305.8 billion (about $360 billion) in 2024, prompting investigations into subsidised imports, including electric vehicles.
Von der Leyen emphasised that any future deal with the U.S. would not affect the EU’s independent stance towards China.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Thailand’s royal authority has blocked a move by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to dissolve parliament and call snap elections, citing legal concerns over his authority to submit such a request, local media reported on Wednesday.
More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local officials warn that many people remain trapped under rubble, and the number of fatalities is likely to climb further.
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according to a notice released by the Trump administration on Thursday.
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