Poland’s Vistula River falls to historic low amid drought and heat
Poland’s iconic Vistula River has dropped to historic lows, as severe drought and scorching heat grip the country....
As the world adjusts to the trade shockwaves triggered by U.S. tariffs, Brussels and Abu Dhabi are forging a new path. On Thursday, the European Union and the United Arab Emirates confirmed they will launch formal negotiations on a free trade agreement.
The announcement followed a phone call between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both sides said in separate statements.
The decision comes at a time of global economic uncertainty, just days after President Donald Trump raised import duties, only to scale some of them back under pressure from markets and trade partners. For the EU and UAE, the move signals a clear intention to deepen economic ties and sidestep instability.
The talks will aim to cut tariffs and trade barriers, open up market access for goods and services, and strengthen cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, green hydrogen and critical raw materials, according to the EU.
The UAE's state news agency WAM called the agreement a step toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, one that could unlock opportunities in advanced manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and artificial intelligence. The pact is also expected to promote bilateral investment and long-term commercial growth.
The European Union is already the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, making up 8.3 percent of its total non-oil trade. It is also the Emirates’ top export destination and largest investment source in the Middle East and North Africa.
Abu Dhabi has pushed for deeper economic ties with Europe for years, and Reuters reported in March 2024 that the UAE had been quietly urging Brussels to start direct trade talks, independently of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Now, those talks are becoming reality.
The European Commission is set to propose allowing carbon credits from other countries to count towards the EU’s 2040 climate target, according to a leaked internal document.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
Following a deadly glacier collapse in Blatten, near the Swiss Alpine village of Kandersteg, the town is on high alert as melting permafrost and shifting rock threaten another potential disaster after it was buried a month ago.
Poland’s iconic Vistula River has dropped to historic lows, as severe drought and scorching heat grip the country.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s recent large-scale drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, calling them the biggest since the war began over three years ago.
Russian air defences intercepted four Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow on Saturday, prompting brief flight suspensions at major airports in the capital and other cities.
Ukraine’s top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, warned on Saturday of a possible new Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region. The area in northeastern Ukraine has seen heavy fighting since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Afghanistan has asked Azerbaijan to support its export efforts to Türkiye and Europe via the Port of Baku, aiming to boost trade through the Lapis Lazuli Corridor.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment