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- Ireland mourns mother Scarlett Faulkner who dies after brutal assault
- Palestinian minister accuses Israel of enabling settler violence against Palestinians
- NASA’s Artemis II mission successfully returns to Earth after historic lunar flyby
- Hungary confirms ongoing pursuit of cheap Russian energy sources
- US begins blockade of Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran
- Hungarian PM-elect péter magyar urges swift parliamentary session for new government
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EU
Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin has accused Israel of failing to protect Palestinians from escalating settler violence, suggesting occupation forces often support such actions. Aghabekian highlighted the urgent need for policy change to halt these violent practices in the West Bank.
Péter Magyar, Hungary’s newly elected Prime Minister, announced at his inaugural press conference that the country will pursue the cheapest energy sources, including imports from Russia. This stance contradicts previous commitments to eliminate Russian energy reliance by 2035.
Hungarian PM-elect Péter Magyar called for a swift parliamentary session to establish a new government by 5 May. He highlighted key priorities, including securing EU funds, eurozone integration, and addressing issues related to Ukraine, Russia, and migration during his press conference.
The European Commission has finalised trade agreements with Australia, India, and Mercosur, facing farmer discontent over the latter due to concerns about beef imports. While Australia secured 30,600 tonnes of annual beef access with conditions, tensions remain regarding competitive pressures on EU agriculture.
EU MORNING BRIEFING
This morning, the European Union focuses on trade agreements and regulatory updates affecting member states.
Discussions on competitiveness and sustainability dominate the agenda.
Häkkänen stated Helsinki will ensure the US honours contracts with NATO nations supplying weapons for Ukraine amid concerns of potential diversion of military equipment to Iran. He emphasised Finland’s focus on maintaining readiness given its extensive border with Russia, rejecting involvement in the Iran conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of dishonesty regarding US demands, asserting Zelenskyy misrepresented discussions about territorial concessions related to security guarantees. Rubio also indicated potential shifts in American military support, citing future needs related to Iran.
The European Parliament’s rapporteurs have reached an agreement on the digital euro’s design, facilitating both online and offline payments. This development addresses growing economic tensions with the US and aims to reduce dependence on American payment systems, advancing the legislative process following months of impasse.
The EU has enacted a comprehensive customs reform to manage increasing trade volumes and streamline standards enforcement. The agreement, deemed the most significant since 1968, introduces a customs data hub for efficient monitoring and simplified procedures for compliant traders, while enhancing controls on non-compliant goods.
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