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Germany emerged as the world’s largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, exporting 810,000 tonnes. The UK followed with 675,000 tonnes, marking an eight-year high. The European Union exported 1.5 billion kg annually, primarily to non-OECD countries, with Turkey as the largest recipient.
Warsaw has registered its first same-sex marriage, following a court ruling requiring recognition of marriages registered abroad. This follows a November decision by the EU’s highest court, prompting local authorities to comply. Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski confirmed further recognitions will be pursued proactively.
A senior NATO military official confirmed that the planned withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany will not affect NATO’s deterrence and defence strategies, following a dispute between President Trump and Chancellor Merz. The decision highlights ongoing tensions in transatlantic military commitments.
The UK and European Union have announced a comprehensive agreement aimed at resetting relations post-Brexit. Key elements include a commitment to work towards a common sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) area, and aligning UK rules with EU standards on plant and animal health.
The £9bn GDP boost from the UK-EU trade agreement announced by Sir Keir Starmer translates to only 0.2% of GDP by 2040, far less than the estimated 4% negative impact of Brexit.
The UK and EU agreed a new 10-year fishing deal, giving EU boats continued access to British waters, in a major breakthrough, years after Britain left the EU. The agreement was seen as key to unlocking progress in wider trade discussions.
NATO membership is like a Netflix subscription, you get charged whether you use it or not. With this level of corruption it is cheaper and more procatial to cancel it and develop an EU defence army. That will boost the EU economy and create millions of jobs in the EU.
The UK’s leading business lobbying group, the CBI, is calling for a major reset in relations with the EU, saying the current post-Brexit setup is “no longer fit for purpose”. Ahead of a UK-EU summit on 19 May, the group has urged both sides to rebuild trust and take “practical steps” to reduce red tape, ease staff mobility, and coordinate on climate, defence and energy.
Belgium’s parliament voted decisively to abandon its planned nuclear phaseout, with 102 votes in favour of the motion.
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