The European Union excludes the United States, the United Kingdom, and Turkiye from the rearmament fund, imposing specific conditions for future participation in the initiative.

EU dumps US, UK & Turkiye from rearmament fund, sets conditions on joining plan

The European Union is increasing defence spending to strengthen its military posture. Germany has approved a massive $535 billion defence budget, while French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to bolster France’s military. As security threats rise, European nations are making major investments to enhance their defence capabilities.

European nations boost defence spending amid growing security concerns

The European Union is looking to raise over 870 billion dollars for defense.

But the big question is—where will the money come from?

European leaders are weighing their options, and one place they’re now looking is the stock market.

Asset managers who once avoided the defense sector are now reconsidering their stance.

European defense stocks go mainstream

Authorities in Belgium and Portugal have launched a corruption and money laundering probe targeting the EU Parliament. Raids across 21 locations have led to multiple arrests, with a suspected link to Huawei under investigation. As top leadership refuses to comment, how deep does this scandal go?

EU parliament corruption probe: Raids, arrests, and Huawei link under scanner

An online pledge to withhold smartphones from children until they are at least 14 has been signed by parents at 20% of schools across the UK. Watch to know more!

UK Backs Smartphone Free Childhood Campaign

Volkswagen is considering a return to military vehicle production as Europe ramps up its defense capabilities. With growing geopolitical tensions and increased defense spending, European car manufacturers, including VW, are exploring military contracts.

Volkswagen explores military vehicle production amid European rearmament

The EU has announced retaliatory measures after the US raised steel and aluminum tariffs to 25%. The countermeasures on $28 billion worth of US goods will come into effect from April 1. Watch in for more details!

European Union retaliates after Trump's metal tariff's take effect

Europe’s arms imports surged 155% between 2020 and 2024, driven by heightened security concerns after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United States supplied over 50% of these imports, solidifying its position as the dominant global arms exporter with a 43% market share—more than the next eight exporters combined.

US supplies over 50% of Europe’s arms—for how long?

Mobile phone thefts have tripled in the last four years, new data shows, as criminal gang members riding e-bikes help fuel a booming export trade. More than 70,000 phones were snatched in the streets of London alone in 2024, out of an estimated 100,000 thefts across the UK. Watch to know more!

Mobile phone theft reaches highest recorded level in London

Imagine a scenario where Europe’s skies are patrolled by advanced fighter jets, sleek, powerful, and ready to defend the continent’s sovereignty. Yet, with a single command from the Pentagon, these very aircraft could be rendered inoperative, grounded not by enemy action, but by the decisions of an ally. This unsettling possibility stems from Europe’s heavy reliance on American-made military hardware, particularly the F-35 and F-16 fighter jets.

What is a kill switch? Can the US switch off Europe’s weapons?

Germany's planned acquisition of 35 American F-35 fighter jets has come under scrutiny following concerns that the US under President Donald Trump could disable the aircraft remotely. The fears have increased as Washington is moving closer to Moscow and has, in a way, alienated Europe as it presses Ukraine to sign a minerals deal.

Can the US disable Europe's air defences?

Reports suggest that the U.S. has told its allies that it will not participate in any future military exercises in Europe. This is the latest move in Trump's effort to drift away from NATO and will see America out of drills beyond those already scheduled for 2025. The U.S. military is the largest in the NATO bloc. U.S. President Donald Trump has, on many occasions, criticized the bloc for not spending the current goal of 2% of GDP on defense, arguing that the disparity puts an unfair burden on the United States. On Friday, Trump reiterated his warning.

US could 'cease' all future exercises in Europe: Reports

Reports suggest the US may not participate in future NATO drills beyond those already scheduled, signaling a potential shift in its commitment to the alliance. Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not contributing enough to defense spending.

Reportedly US won't participate in exercises beyond those already scheduled

As uncertainty looms over US Aid to Ukraine, European leaders are ramping up military spending, shifting the financial burden of war onto their economies.

Europe’s defence spend rises amid Ukraine war

A major Russian spy network has been exposed in the UK, with Jan Marsalek suspected of hiding in Russia under FSB protection. Three Bulgarians have been found guilty of espionage in London. Reports suggest Marsalek played a role in supplying drones to Russia for the Ukraine war. He was also at the center of a $2 billion fraud in Germany and remains one of Europe’s most wanted figures.

Russian spy ring: Three Bulgarians found guilty of spying for Russia from UK

Russian spy ring exposed in UK: Marsalek's secret role

European leaders are grappling with a strategy to safeguard Ukraine against a Russian assault in a bold move that could redefine the battlefield dynamics. There is a proposal for a European-Ukraine air protection plan that could halt Russian missile attacks. Take a look at this support. Watch in for more details!

European sky shield, Europe mulls deploying 120 fighter jets to safeguard Ukraine

Amid the ongoing tensions with the US, speculations are rife that Ukraine could lose access to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet system. Watch this report for more details!

US could cut ukraine's access to Starlink, Eutelsat a possible replacement?

Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket has completed its first commercial mission, launching the CSO-3 military satellite into orbit for the French Air Force. The high-profile launch from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, marks a major step in strengthening Europe’s defence and space capabilities.

Ariane 6 rocket successfully launches french military satellite into orbit

France will consider extending the protection of its nuclear arsenal to its allies, French President Emmanuel Macron said, while warning that Europe needs to be ready for the United States to not "remain by our side" in the Ukraine war. Watch to know more!

Macron hits back at Russian leader, calls him an imperialist

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join EU leaders for a Thursday Brussels summit to cement the bloc's support for Kyiv's three-year fight against Russia's invasion. Watch to know more!

Europe Union leaders green light plan to boost defence at Crisis Summit

In the US air base of Ramstein in southwest Germany, people are struggling to imagine life without US military presence. US  President Donald Trump and his administration's statements have cast doubt on America’s future military presence in Europe. With as many as 50,000 American military personnel and their relatives living there now, locals worry that if troops were to be withdrawn, the impact of local economy and culture, would be destructive.

Germans in Ramstein US base anxious over Trump's military plans in Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written to Donald Trump as the US president urges Congress to push for an end to the war. While Zelensky expresses gratitude for US military aid, he also lays down conditions for peace efforts

Zelensky says Ukraine is 'grateful' for US military aid

Pakistan's rice export consignments have been rejected by European countries due to quality issues. And now, on March 1, it was discussed by the country's National Assembly panel in the capital, Islamabad. In 2024, the European Union had blocked 104 consignments of &lsquo;substandard&rsquo; rice from Pakistan. This move made the country incur financial losses, subsequently affecting the national exchequer.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/calling-someone-pakistani-or-miya-not-a-criminal-offence-doesnt-hurt-religious-sentiments-indian-sc-8777208">Calling someone &lsquo;Pakistani&rsquo; or 'Miya' not a criminal offence, doesn't hurt religious sentiments: Indian SC</a>
The rice was rejected for the presence of pesticides beyond the permissible limit; this was discussed in the meeting. Emphasis was laid on crucial and mandatory steps to be taken for quality control, and no detail or process shall be neglected in this regard.
Pakistan-based news outlet Dawn reported that chairman Mohammad Jawed Hanif Khan instructed that strict action be taken against groups and individuals responsible for interrupting with procedures and urged for accountability. Another point of discussion was the monopolistic practices taking place in the fumigation sector that were inversely affecting the export of rice. Khan asked for immediate action to be taken to fix and dismantle the monopolistic system.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkiyes-president-in-islamabad-for-a-two-day-visit-8716158">Turkiye's president in Islamabad for a two-day visit</a>
<h2>Boost in rice export</h2>
From July to December 2024, Pakistan was celebrating a boost in food exports when the country's rice export increased by 14.50% year-on-year, bringing the value to $1.87 billion, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
A 416,491 tonnes year-on-year increase in basmati rice production was witnessed, which is about a 30.62% hike, and its value surged by 18.06% to $433.82 million. While non-basmati rice exports jumped by approximately 13.5%, the quantity increased by nearly 17%.
But the growth in exports did burn a hole in the pockets of Pakistanis; a kilogramme of basmati, which was priced at $0.54 USD (PKR 150), surged to $1.43 USD (PKR 400).
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World | South Asia | Pakistan: Pakistan's rice export consignments have been rejected by European countries due to quality issues. And now, on March 1, it was discussed by the country's National Assembly panel in the capital, Islamabad.

Pakistan's rice export consignments have been rejected by European countries due to quality issues. And now, on March 1, it was discussed by the country's National Assembly panel in the capital, Islamabad. In 2024, the European Union had blocked 104 consignments of ‘substandard’ rice from Pakistan. This move made the country incur financial losses, subsequently affecting the national exchequer. Also read: Calling someone ‘Pakistani’ or 'Miya' not a criminal offence, doesn't hurt religious sentiments: Indian SC The rice was rejected for the presence of pesticides beyond the permissible limit; this was discussed in the meeting. Emphasis was laid on crucial and mandatory steps to be taken for quality control, and no detail or process shall be neglected in this regard. Pakistan-based news outlet Dawn reported that chairman Mohammad Jawed Hanif Khan instructed that strict action be taken against groups and individuals responsible for interrupting with procedures and urged for accountability. Another point of discussion was the monopolistic practices taking place in the fumigation sector that were inversely affecting the export of rice. Khan asked for immediate action to be taken to fix and dismantle the monopolistic system. Also read: Turkiye's president in Islamabad for a two-day visit Boost in rice export From July to December 2024, Pakistan was celebrating a boost in food exports when the country's rice export increased by 14.50% year-on-year, bringing the value to $1.87 billion, as reported by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. A 416,491 tonnes year-on-year increase in basmati rice production was witnessed, which is about a 30.62% hike, and its value surged by 18.06% to $433.82 million. While non-basmati rice exports jumped by approximately 13.5%, the quantity increased by nearly 17%. But the growth in exports did burn a hole in the pockets of Pakistanis; a kilogramme of basmati, which was priced at $0.54 USD (PKR 150), surged to $1.43 USD (PKR 400).

Europe rejects ‘substandard’ Pakistani rice, EU blocks 104 consignments

Tensions rise as reports suggest the US is losing confidence in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. With Trump considering halting military aid and European allies struggling to mediate, Ukraine’s leadership faces growing pressure. Can Zelensky navigate these geopolitical challenges, or is change inevitable?

Trump-Zelensky meet: US-Ukraine rift grows as pressure mounts on Zelensky

Zelensky under pressure as US-Ukraine rift deepens over war strategy

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, gathered in London for crucial Ukraine talks. Zelensky urged for continued support as the UK and France discussed a potential peace plan. With growing geopolitical tensions, can the West remain united in its support for Ukraine?

European leaders hold high-stakes ukraine talks as Zelensky seeks support

With the war in Ukraine at a critical juncture, European leaders, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and UK’s Keir Starmer, have gathered in London for a high-stakes summit. Zelensky seeks renewed support, while Meloni warns of the "very, very important" need to keep the West united.

Zelensky, Starmer, and EU leaders seek united front amid growing pressure

Western unity shaken after Zelensky-Trump clash

Europe rushes to reaffirm support for Ukraine

European leaders gather in London for high-stakes Ukraine summit

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