European Union ambassadors have agreed on a major new defence initiative- an arms fund worth €150 billion to strengthen Europe’s military capabilities.
The fund, proposed by the European Commission in March, is a response to growing fears about Russia and uncertainty over whether the U.S., under President Trump, would continue to protect Europe.
Over the past three years, EU countries have already boosted defence spending by more than 30%, but leaders say more action is needed. The new programme, called Security Action for Europe (SAFE), will support collaborative defence projects across the EU and promote European-made weapons and technologies. To qualify for funding, at least 65% of a project's value must come from companies within the EU, the European Economic Area, or Ukraine.
Countries with Security and Defence Partnership agreements with the EU, such as the UK (which signed an agreement this week), may also qualify under additional conditions. This move opens the door for UK firms like BAE Systems to participate in SAFE-funded projects.
The Commission fast-tracked the legislation, skipping European Parliament approval and requiring only unanimous consent from all 27 EU countries. That consent was secured on Wednesday, with final ministerial approval expected on May 27.
European Council President Antonio Costa praised the decision, calling it a key step toward a more secure and united Europe.
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref who is visiting Turkmenistan to take part at a UN-sponsored meeting said Tehran supports development ...
South Korea announced on Tuesday that North Korea has shown no signs of dismantling its own border loudspeakers, even after Seoul began removing its d...
On Tuesday, massive crowds filled the streets of Dhaka with flags, placards, and chants to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 uprising that forced...
A sudden tornado hit a village in Inner Mongolia, damaging tourist yurts but leaving no casualties, as emergency teams quickly restored power and comp...
Torrential rain and lightning storms battered Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta on 5 August, causing severe flooding that closed hospitals and schoo...
The European Commission has said it does not view imposing network fees on major technology firms as a practical solution to the ongoing debate over funding the expansion of 5G and broadband infrastructure across the bloc.
The U.S. State Department has intensified its months-long campaign against the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), drawing sharp reactions from European officials just days before a crucial trade deadline between the two sides.
Meta has announced it will halt political, electoral, and social issue ads in the European Union from October due to the region's new Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising regulation (TTPA).
Germany is preparing multi-billion-euro defence purchases including jets and thousands of armoured vehicles, aiming to create Europe’s most powerful army amid concerns over U.S. reliability.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
South Korea announced on Tuesday that North Korea has shown no signs of dismantling its own border loudspeakers, even after Seoul began removing its devices as a goodwill gesture to reduce tensions.
On Tuesday, massive crowds filled the streets of Dhaka with flags, placards, and chants to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 uprising that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile.
A sudden tornado hit a village in Inner Mongolia, damaging tourist yurts but leaving no casualties, as emergency teams quickly restored power and completed cleanup.
Torrential rain and lightning storms battered Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta on 5 August, causing severe flooding that closed hospitals and schools while turning staircases into rushing waterfalls.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing for a full military takeover of the Gaza Strip, with reports suggesting a final decision has already been made and implementation plans will be discussed at a key war cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
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