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- EU allocates €115 million to innovative defence projects under AGILE plan
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EU
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.
The organisers of the 2026 Winter Olympics have stated the games will be “green,” focusing on infrastructure improvements despite past controversies. The impact on local residents may be significant, as many anticipate lasting benefits from enhanced transportation.
The European Commission plans a new round of sanctions against Russia, including a proposed ban on maritime services for vessels carrying Russian oil, as officials consult G7 partners. This development comes as the war nears its fourth year, impacting energy revenues and sanctions enforcement.
Nearly a quarter of LGBTQ+ citizens in the EU have experienced conversion practices, with 38% of Greek respondents most affected, according to the ILGA Europe report. Helena Dalli, former European Commissioner for Equality, condemned these practices as harmful and grounded in falsehood during a recent Council of Europe debate.
European officials, including Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina, have urged for accelerated negotiations on a free-trade agreement with Gulf nations to diversify trade amid US tariffs and increasing Chinese exports. Talks aim to enhance business ties and energy cooperation.
Several US lawmakers, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, urged the European Union to maintain its methane regulations and avoid exempting US energy operators from compliance, highlighting the urgency of effective methane management amid upcoming EU-US trade agreements.
Leaders of the socialist and liberal groups in the European Parliament have expressed concerns to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto’s and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius’s attendance at a political event in Slovenia, potentially breaching internal conduct rules ahead of elections.
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