Twelve European Union member states have asked Brussels to trigger the “national escape clause” in EU fiscal rules, aiming to raise defence spending without facing budget penalties, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
The clause would allow countries to exceed the usual 3% deficit threshold, granting them room to increase defence budgets by up to 1.5% of GDP annually over four years. The proposal comes amid growing pressure to strengthen Europe's military capabilities.
Countries making the request include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. A spokesperson for the Polish EU Council presidency said four more nations plan to apply soon.
The Commission will now review each submission. Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the goal is to support higher defence investment while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
The move reflects a shift in EU priorities as geopolitical risks mount and defence becomes a growing part of national budgets.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a nearly $900 billion defence plan for 2026, keeping spending flat but shifting firepower toward cutting-edge missiles and drones in a bid to counter China and modernise America’s military edge.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a nearly $900 billion defence plan for 2026, keeping spending flat but shifting firepower toward cutting-edge missiles and drones in a bid to counter China and modernise America’s military edge.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 26th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a nearly $900 billion defence plan for 2026, keeping spending flat but shifting firepower toward cutting-edge missiles and drones in a bid to counter China and modernise America’s military edge.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
President Donald Trump has unveiled a nearly $900 billion defence plan for 2026, keeping spending flat but shifting firepower toward cutting-edge missiles and drones in a bid to counter China and modernise America’s military edge.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is visiting Central America to strengthen cooperation on curbing drug trafficking and reducing undocumented migration to the U.S., meeting leaders in Panama, Costa Rica, and Honduras.
The White House plans to restrict classified intelligence sharing with Congress after media leaks contradicted President Donald Trump’s claims about the success of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, setting up a tense briefing with lawmakers.
China is calling for Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states defence chiefs to "take more robust actions to jointly preserve the environment for peaceful development."
Australia will not raise its defence spending targets despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, choosing instead to follow its own military strategy, Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday.
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