TheNewsGuru

Tag: EU

  • Tinubu junkets to Europe on 10-day vacation

    Tinubu junkets to Europe on 10-day vacation

    President Bola Tinubu has embarked on a 10-day working vacation in Europe, splitting his time between France and the United Kingdom.

    This annual leave, part of his 2025 schedule, is expected to provide a brief respite from the demands of leading Nigeria.

    The vacation will last for 10 working days, starting from September 4, 2025.

    President Tinubu will visit France and the UK, where he may engage in diplomatic meetings and other official activities, given the trip’s designation as a “working vacation”.

    After concluding his vacation, the President is expected to return to Nigeria, resuming his duties.

    This vacation comes on the heels of Tinubu’s recent foreign trips, including visits to the United Arab Emirates and Brazil, where he participated in a global South-South cooperation summit.

    During his absence, governance in Nigeria is expected to continue uninterrupted, with Vice President Kashim Shettima potentially overseeing key duties in an acting capacity.

    A statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development.

  • Russian airstrike hits EU office in Kyiv

    Russian airstrike hits EU office in Kyiv

    The European Union (EU) delegation building was among several structures damaged during overnight Russian airstrikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

    Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia on Thursday of deliberately targeting diplomatic missions, calling the attack a violation of the Vienna Convention.

    He urged the international community to strongly condemn the strike.

    “We express solidarity with our EU colleagues and are ready to provide assistance,” Sybiha posted on X, along with photos showing damage to office spaces.

    EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos also condemned the attack on X, stating, “I strongly condemn these brutal attacks, a clear sign that Russia rejects peace and chooses terror.”

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least eight people were killed and dozens injured in the airstrikes. However, The Kyiv Independent reported the death toll had reached at least 10.

    The Russian military reportedly used a combination of drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and Kinzhal (Dagger) hypersonic missiles in the assault.

    Ukraine, which continues to pursue membership in the EU, has been defending itself against Russia’s full-scale invasion for more than three and a half years.

  • EU defends tech regulations amid Trump criticism

    EU defends tech regulations amid Trump criticism

    The European Union on Tuesday reaffirmed its sovereign right to regulate economic activities within its borders, including rules affecting major technology firms.

    “It is the sovereign right of the EU and its member states to regulate economic activities on our territory, which are consistent with our democratic values,” said European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho.

    The remarks followed a warning from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened tariffs and export restrictions against countries adopting digital taxes or regulations seen as targeting U.S. tech giants.

    “Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology. This must end, and end NOW!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

    Pinho clarified that the issue was not linked to the recent EU-U.S. framework agreement, calling them “separate questions.”

    EU tech spokesperson Thomas Regnier also dismissed Trump’s criticism, stressing that the bloc’s regulations apply broadly and do not single out U.S. companies.

  • EU approves 17th package of sanctions against Russia

    EU approves 17th package of sanctions against Russia

    The European Union (EU) on Tuesday approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced.

    “The EU has approved its 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting nearly 200 shadow fleet ships,” Kallas wrote on X.

    “New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” she added.

  • EU agrees on €150bn loan fund for defense spending

    EU agrees on €150bn loan fund for defense spending

    The countries of the European Union (EU) have agreed to establish a loan fund worth 150 billion euros (169.5 billion dollars) to finance arms purchases, according to a report by The Financial Times on Monday, citing officials familiar with the decision.

    The fund will be backed by the national budgets of EU member states. While member countries had already expressed support for the initiative, the agreement is expected to be formally signed on Wednesday.

    On March 19, the European Commission unveiled a new defense strategy, initially called ReArm Europe, later renamed Readiness 2030, aiming to raise EU defense spending to 1.5 per cent of GDP.

    The strategy’s estimated cost is 800 billion euros over the next four years, with 650 billion euros to come from national budgets and the remaining 150 billion euros through loans.

    To support this plan, the European Commission would offer budgetary concessions to member states and reallocate some regional development funds toward defense spending.

    The move came amid rising tensions in Europe. Russia had consistently raised concerns about NATO’s growing military presence near its western borders, calling it a threat to regional stability. The Kremlin had stated that while Russia posed no threat to other nations, it would respond to actions it considered potentially dangerous to its security.

    In a 2024 interview with U.S. journalist Tucker Carlson, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow had no intention of attacking NATO countries.

    He accused Western leaders of exaggerating the Russian threat to distract from domestic issues.

  • Tarrifs Retaliation : EU set to hammer €100bn US goods

    Tarrifs Retaliation : EU set to hammer €100bn US goods

    The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats disclosed on Wednesday.

    Trump has slapped a series of higher tariffs on Europe since March, and in his biggest move, he imposed a 20-per-cent tariff on a majority of EU goods last month — before announcing a 90-day pause that is due to expire in July.

    There is currently a “baseline” levy of 10 per cent on goods from the 27-country EU and other nations around the world.

    The European Union hopes to reach a deal with the United States to avoid an all-out trade war, but wants to be prepared to strike back if Trump’s tariffs kick in again.

    The European Commission, which is in charge of EU trade policy, told member states last week that it would target nearly 100 billion euros worth of US goods in response to the 20-per cent tariff if negotiations fail to yield an agreement, two EU diplomats said.

    The preliminary list of products is expected to be made public on Thursday.

    EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic told the European Parliament this week that 70 per cent of the bloc’s total exports face levies at rates between 10 and 25 per cent.

    He warned that with US trade probes underway into a raft of sectors, from pharmaceuticals to lumber, “around 549 billion euros of EU exports to the US, i.e. 97 per cent of the total,” could eventually face tariffs.

    The EU diplomats did not say which US products would be targeted, but the Financial Times newspaper on Wednesday reported Boeing aircraft would be in the firing line.

    Only a day earlier, France’s Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury told AFP that Europe should impose tariffs on imports of the US company’s aircraft should talks fail.

    If negotiations “do not result in a positive outcome, I imagine that there will be — and that’s what we wish — reciprocal tariffs on aeroplanes to force a higher level of negotiation”, Faury said.

    The commission and Boeing refused to comment on the FT report.

  • EU chief reacts over Pope Francis’ death

    EU chief reacts over Pope Francis’ death

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Pope Francis would be remembered for his efforts to build “a more just, peaceful and compassionate world”.

    “Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis,” von der Leyen wrote on X, shortly after the Vatican announced the pontiff’s death at the age of 88.

    “He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she continued.

    “My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.

    “May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”

    Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, said Francis’ “contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe.”

    “‘The People’s Pope’ will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice.

    “May he rest in peace,” Metsola wrote on X.

  • EU chief welcomes Trump’s announcement of pause in tariffs

    EU chief welcomes Trump’s announcement of pause in tariffs

    European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he was pausing new “reciprocal tariffs’’ on most countries for 90 days to allow for negotiations.

    “It’s an important step toward stabilising the global economy. Clear, predictable conditions are essential for trade and supply chains to function.

    “The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the U.S., with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade,’’ von der Leyen said.

    On Wednesday, EU member states agreed to retaliatory tariffs of 10 per cent to 25 per cent on U.S. imports, which are due to be implemented from next week.

    This was in response to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports imposed about a month ago.

    U.S stocks showed an astonishingly strong move back to the upside on Wednesday following Trump’s announcement, after the nosedive seen over the past few days.

  • EU approves first retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports

    EU approves first retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports

    EU member states on Wednesday approved initial retaliatory tariffs of 10 per cent to 25 per cent on U.S. imports, which the European Commission says will be implemented next week.

    This includes special levies on items such as jeans and motorcycles from the United States, while U.S.-made whiskey and other alcoholic beverages were removed from the commission’s proposed list.

    Further counter-tariffs are due to be imposed in mid-May and at the end of the year, affecting products including beef, poultry and citrus fruits such as oranges or grapefruit.

    Additional tariffs on nuts and soybeans are planned for early December.

    The tariffs approved on Wednesday are in response to the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminium imports imposed about a month ago.

    According to EU calculations, the U.S. measures affect exports worth 26 billion euros (28.8 billion U.S. dollars).

    The measures being imposed by Brussels target goods worth approximately 21 billion euros, according to EU sources.

    The EU has stressed its preference for negotiations rather than escalating the trade dispute.

    Work is still under way on a further package of measures in response to the tariffs on cars and almost all other EU exports to the U.S. more recently announced by President Donald Trump.

    Trump’s tariff policy aims to correct alleged trade imbalances and shift production to the United States, while partially offsetting tax cuts promised during his election campaign.

  • EU aims to remove barriers to AI development

    EU aims to remove barriers to AI development

    The European Commission (EU) said it had launched a strategy on Wednesday to remove barriers to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and better equip Europe’s companies for global competition.

    At the presentation of its new AI strategy, the Brussels authority announced that it would simplify rules, promote investment and massively expand the establishment of its own data centres.

    The aim of the AI Continent Action Plan was to “transform Europe’s strong traditional industries and its exceptional talent pool into powerful engines of AI innovation and acceleration,’’ according to a statement released.

    There has been criticism from the tech industry that European regulations such as the AI Act were too bureaucratic and hostile to innovation.

    One focus of the new strategy is on infrastructure and data centres.

    The commission called on member states to apply for the construction of so-called AI gigafactories to train particularly powerful AI models.

    A total investment of 20 billion euros (22 billion dollars) is to be earmarked for this purpose.

    According to the Brussels authority, only 13.5 per cent of companies in Europe currently use AI technologies, a figure the commission wants to increase significantly.

    So far, the EU has lagged behind China and the U.S. in AI technologies, for example.

    Germany’s outgoing digital minister, Volker Wissing, welcomed the plan and called for less bureaucracy and better investment conditions.

    The German AI Association on the other hand said the strategy had little new substance.

    “The European AI sector does not need any more announcements regarding previously known measures and small-scale individual strategies.

    “But it’s functional funding and award procedures that can keep pace with the speed of technological development,’’ said association head Jörg Bienert.