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European Union

European Union
European Union
The latest breaking news and stories on the European Union (EU), an economic and political union of 27 member states mainly located in Europe, which accounts for around a sixth of global economic output. Also covering the EU’s relationship with the UK (post Brexit), China and the US, plus commentary and updates on EU legislation, the euro and trade.
QatarEnergy’s operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City on Monday, when Qatar suspended liquefied natural gas production. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

How is the conflict in Iran affecting Europe’s energy supply and prices?

Analysts urge EU to accelerate green energy transition and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports.

France

France to boost atomic arsenal, could deploy nuclear-armed jets to allies

US, Israel war on Iran

Europe divided, on edge as US-Israel strikes on Iran ripple across the continent

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Extreme weather

Record-breaking? El Nino may return in 2026, making planet even hotter

However, scientists say there’s a risk of 2026 being ‘the warmest year on record even without El Nino, due to the global warming trend’.

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A waste picker drinks water while working at a rubbish dump on the outskirts of Jammu, India, during a heatwave in 2024. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

5 takeaways from the first 2 days of US-Israel war against Iran

Amid escalating US-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation, casualties emerge, oil spikes and global geopolitics face major shocks.

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China-EU relations

Is Europe, the world’s geopolitical punching bag, ready to hit back?

The EU could land a range of economic blows if it wants to be more than a lightweight, researchers say.

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Middle East

Turkish journalists jailed for filming near Nato base hosting US troops

Turkey also hosts a highly sensitive Nato early-warning radar system at Kurecik base in the central Malatya province that can detect Iranian missile launches.

People chant slogans as they protest against US and Israeli strikes on Iran, outside a Nato base in Izmir, Turkey, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Russia

Belgium special forces seize Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker

The European Union has blacklisted hundreds of vessels in a bid to sap Moscow’s war chest.

Iran

US-Iran strikes: global shipping braces for hit from Strait of Hormuz closure

Various reports indicate that authorities in Tehran have taken control of the vital energy transport route.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump threatens more hits, Khamenei dead and Israel mounts new attacks

Beijing says the killing of Iran’s supreme leader is ‘a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security’.

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Government supporters gather in mourning after state TV officially announces the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Tehran, Iran on Sunday. Photo: AP
China exports

Deals of steel: how China’s price-setting agreements are easing trade tempers

Chinese exporters agree to raise prices to avoid anti‑dumping duties, echoing earlier electric vehicle agreement with European Union.

Molten steel sparks fly at a factory in Huaian, Jiangsu province. Photo: AFP
Pakistan

‘Managed escalation’: Pakistan-Taliban stand-off enters dangerous new phase

With positions entrenched, mediation efforts by regional powers are unlikely to deliver a swift breakthrough, observers say.

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Pakistan

Afghanistan’s Taliban open to talks with Pakistan as ‘open war’ continues

The attacks by Pakistan come as it continues to allege that the Taliban harbours militants seeking to overthrow the Islamabad government.

Ukraine war

Opinion | Peace in Ukraine will require pragmatic diplomacy on both sides

To prevent the war from dragging on for a fifth year, earlier proposals such as one floated by China and Brazil should be reconsidered.

Firefighters work at the site of a residential building damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 22. Photo: Reuters
Britain

UK probes if Epstein used airbases for trafficking girls amid Andrew scrutiny

The decision came after former PM Brown demanded investigations into whether the ex-prince used government jets to meet Epstein.

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Artist Kaya Mar displays a painting of Britain’s former ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, outside Downing Street in central London on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
China exports

As China’s firms go global, foreign expertise is becoming a hot commodity

Chinese companies are rushing to hire a range of service contractors to help them expand overseas – from compliance experts to TikTok gurus.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Europe is ready for strategic autonomy, but at what cost?

The EU post-war project left Europe lagging behind the US and China. Now, without American protection, the continent must reclaim its edge.

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China-Germany relations

Editorial | Merz’s Beijing trip shows that Germany realises it needs to work with China

Stable bilateral and China-EU relations can only be positive for global stability and sustainable development in an era of turbulence.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, shakes hands with President Xi Jinping at the state guesthouse in Beijing on February 25. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Opinion | Don’t expect Russia’s war on Ukraine to end in its fifth year

Barring Moscow or Kyiv reaching breaking points in their war efforts, neither side will make any steps to end or ‘freeze’ the conflict.

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China-EU relations

China-EU trade ties are at a crossroads. Could tech bridge the divide?

A hostile Washington is creating openings for a reset – but deep-seated issues remain, analyst says.

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China-Germany relations

Merz’s China tightrope: German leader has warm words, hard questions for Beijing

German chancellor strikes diplomatic tone in Beijing meetings while pushing his hosts on subsidies, currency devaluation and Russia.

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
China technology

China’s tech surge leaves Japan and South Korea trailing in global rankings

Propelled by strategic R&D, China’s tech prowess is now the third highest, with key sectors such as batteries and biotech showing big gains over rivals.

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A humanoid robot plays piano during a traditional music performance in Beijing on Thursday. China has elevated science and technology to the core of its national development strategy. Photo: AP
SCMP Highlights

EU’s tech ban; China’s mysterious Nantianmen project: 7 science highlights

From a leading biologist leaving US for China to a semiconductor breakthrough, here are some highlights from SCMP’s recent science reporting.

Diplomacy

Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

In an uncertain global environment, the European Union remains committed to mutually beneficial relations with Hong Kong.

China-EU relations

EU too slow to act as China rewrites global trade rules, trade chief Sefcovic warns

Commissioner calls for faster trade probes and WTO reform as Brussels confronts overcapacity, subsidies and a US$424 billion deficit.

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Maros Sefcovic said Brussels is reviewing trade defence tools and monitoring imports of Chinese plug-in hybrid vehicles. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine urges China to play ‘critical’ role for peace as war enters fifth year

Top Ukrainian envoy urges Beijing to ‘walk this last mile together’ on anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

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A person walks through a makeshift memorial to fallen soldiers in Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday, as the conflict with Russia reaches its four-year mark. Photo: AFP
India

India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030

The two founding Brics members are deepening links on rare earths, innovation and AI to diversify growth beyond the West.

Hong Kong courts

Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

Foreign governments campaigning for the former media boss’ release should thoroughly look into the nuances of the case as the legal process plays out.

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