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EU backs France in submarine dispute
European Union foreign ministers expressed support and solidarity with France on Monday during a meeting in New York to discuss Australia’s scrapping of a $40 billion submarine order with Paris in favour of a U.S. and British deal
European Union foreign ministers expressed support for France in its submarine order dispute with Australia during the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.
Australia said last week it would scrap a $40 billion submarine order from Paris in favor of a U.S. and British deal that’s enraged France.
It includes at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with U.S. and British technology and a trilateral security partnership under the name AUKUS.
After a closed-door meeting at the annual UN gathering of world leaders, European Union Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrel, said “more cooperation” was needed among leaders and “less fragmentation.”
“The position has been this clear expression of solidarity with France, and the consideration that this was not a bilateral issue but a relationship with European Union that affects all of us. And also the fact that it doesn’t go in the direction of a greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which is our purpose.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian gave the U.S a dressing down earlier on Monday, accusing U.S. President Joe Biden of continuing his predecessor Donald Trump’s foreign policies.
“Yes, it is a disappointment. We thought unilateralism, unpredictability, brutality and not respecting your partner was part of the past but it continues so we want to understand.”
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there will not be an opportunity to address the issue with French President Emmanuel Macron this week.
Meanwhile, Biden and Macron are set to speak by phone in the next few days.
White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said she expected Biden to “reaffirm our commitment to working with one of our oldest and closest partners on a range of challenges that the global community is facing.”
It’s not clear what impact the security partnership will have on next month’s fresh rounds of EU-Australia trade talks.
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How Gen Alpha are positioned to shape the future of education
Future of education: how Generation Alpha and engaged parents are shaping schools amid challenges and rapid change
Future of education: how Generation Alpha and engaged parents are shaping schools amid challenges and rapid change
– Future education involves increased parental engagement and adapting to technological changes for younger generations.
– Barriers to involvement include time constraints and poor communication from schools, impacting family-school relationships.
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Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing immediately
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety
Trump orders Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, raising concerns over arms race and global safety
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.
Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.
Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.
Proliferation Risks
Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.
Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.
The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.
The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.
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US–China trade talks are a handshake, not a deal
Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Trump and Xi unofficially extend tariff truce, with US concessions and Chinese commitments on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Presidents Trump and Xi extend their tariff truce in an informal meeting, with US cuts and Chinese promises on soybeans, fentanyl, and rare earths.
Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX cautions this is unofficial and deeper issues between the two super powers remain.
#USChina #TradeTruce #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #Soybeans #RareEarths #UnofficialDeal #TickerNews
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