- Gunfire reported in Mogadishu amid planned protests against Somali president
- Evacuation order for Cayford wildfire in Saskatchewan lifted
- Canadian Olympians Sarault and Kingsbury appointed parade marshals for Calgary Stampede
- Senate plans to advance reconciliation bill funding immigration agencies
- Russia sanctions British teenager for exposing cryptocurrency network
- Trump tells Netanyahu he would be in prison without his support in tense call
- UK regulator grants Google nine months to comply with AI search rules
- EU envoy highlights China’s role in evading sanctions against Russia
EU
China’s role in circumventing EU sanctions against Russia is worsening, according to EU sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan. Despite regular discussions with Chinese authorities, O’Sullivan noted that unilateral actions against Chinese companies will continue as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine persists, impacting both parties economically.
EU BRIEFING
Today, the European Union addresses key economic challenges and migration policies.
Members discuss energy transition and tariff negotiations in ongoing meetings.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed “very optimistic” sentiments regarding a potential agreement on minority rights in Ukraine, marking a significant breakthrough after years of political impasse. Such a deal would pave the way for Ukrainian EU accession talks to commence.
The European Union has urged US President Donald Trump to avoid bombing civilian infrastructure in Iran, warning it could be classified as a war crime. The EU emphasised the need for “maximum restraint” and diplomacy to achieve a peaceful resolution amid rising tensions related to the Strait of Hormuz.
US Vice-President JD Vance accused the European Union of interference in Hungary’s electoral process during his Budapest visit ahead of Sunday’s pivotal vote. Criticising EU digital rules and suggesting foreign influence on the election, Vance expressed support for Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a leadership model for Europe.
European governments are significantly increasing investments in military space capabilities, responding to heightened security concerns following the cyberattack on the KA-SAT satellite network in February 2022. By 2030, investments are projected to exceed €95 billion, driven by commitments from Germany and France, as Europe seeks greater space autonomy.
The European Union has proposed the AGILE funding programme to enhance the speed of defence technology deployment. Aimed at startups and SMEs, AGILE seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world military applications, addressing the growing challenges of modern warfare and innovation pace.
EU member states’ defence research and development reached €13 billion in 2024, growing by €4 billion in 2025, per European Defence Agency estimates. The AGILE programme allocates €115 million to support rapid innovation, aiming to enhance defence technology deployment within three years.
Social media accounts supporting Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party have accused Meta of censoring Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of the 12 April elections. Fidesz campaign chief Balázs Orbán claimed users faced restrictions on liking posts. However, Meta stated no such limitations exist and called the allegations unfounded.
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