Some 20 members of the European Union asked Brussels to scale back and possibly suspend the bloc's anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, saying the policy would harm farmers, in the latest blowback against Europe's environmental agenda.

The EU law aims to root deforestation out of supply chains for beef, soy and other agricultural products sold in Europe, so that European consumers are not contributing to the destruction of global forests from the Amazon to Southeast Asia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/human-brains-getting-larger-in-size-and-this-may-be-good-news-for-some-704458">Human brains getting larger in size, and this may be good news for some</a>

Those rules equally apply to European farmers, who will be banned from exporting products cultivated on deforested or degraded woodlands.

Agriculture ministers from 20 of the EU's 27 member countries supported a call by Austria to revise the law, at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Austria's agriculture minister Norbert Totschnig said.

"We now urge the Commission for a temporary suspension of the regulation allowing for a feasible implementation accompanied by a revision of the regulation," Totschnig said in a statement.

Three EU officials confirmed to Reuters around 20 countries had backed the call in the closed-door meeting, with France, Italy, Poland and Sweden among the supporters.

EU leaders have watered down numerous environmental measures in an attempt to quell months of protests by angry farmers over issues including EU green policies and cheap imports.

A European Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions on whether Brussels will now revise the law.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/viagra-intake-decreases-alzheimers-risk-by-more-than-50-per-cent-study-704410">Viagra intake decreases Alzheimer’s risk by more than 50 per cent: Study</a>

Austria's demands include that the burden for certifying products as deforestation-free should be "drastically reduced" within the EU and that the Dec. 30 deadline for countries to start complying with the law should be delayed.

EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius had on Monday questioned why countries had raised concerns about the policy a few months before EU Parliament elections in June, when they had spent years negotiating the deforestation law and approved it last year.

"Of course, we will listen to the arguments, but I honestly don't see any issues," Sinkevicius told a news conference.

Farmers staged more protests in Brussels on Tuesday to coincide with the agriculture minister's meeting, jamming the EU district with about 250 tractors and dropping sugar beets and hay on to the streets.

Some 20 members of the European Union asked Brussels to scale back and possibly suspend the bloc's anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, saying the policy would harm farmers, in the latest blowback against Europe's environmental agenda.

Some 20 members of the European Union asked Brussels to scale back and possibly suspend the bloc's anti-deforestation law on Tuesday, saying the policy would harm farmers, in the latest blowback against Europe's environmental agenda. The EU law aims to root deforestation out of supply chains for beef, soy and other agricultural products sold in Europe, so that European consumers are not contributing to the destruction of global forests from the Amazon to Southeast Asia. Also read: Human brains getting larger in size, and this may be good news for some Those rules equally apply to European farmers, who will be banned from exporting products cultivated on deforested or degraded woodlands. Agriculture ministers from 20 of the EU's 27 member countries supported a call by Austria to revise the law, at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Austria's agriculture minister Norbert Totschnig said. "We now urge the Commission for a temporary suspension of the regulation allowing for a feasible implementation accompanied by a revision of the regulation," Totschnig said in a statement. Three EU officials confirmed to Reuters around 20 countries had backed the call in the closed-door meeting, with France, Italy, Poland and Sweden among the supporters. EU leaders have watered down numerous environmental measures in an attempt to quell months of protests by angry farmers over issues including EU green policies and cheap imports. A European Commission spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions on whether Brussels will now revise the law. Also read: Viagra intake decreases Alzheimer’s risk by more than 50 per cent: Study Austria's demands include that the burden for certifying products as deforestation-free should be "drastically reduced" within the EU and that the Dec. 30 deadline for countries to start complying with the law should be delayed. EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius had on Monday questioned why countries had raised concerns about the policy a few months before EU Parliament elections in June, when they had spent years negotiating the deforestation law and approved it last year. "Of course, we will listen to the arguments, but I honestly don't see any issues," Sinkevicius told a news conference. Farmers staged more protests in Brussels on Tuesday to coincide with the agriculture minister's meeting, jamming the EU district with about 250 tractors and dropping sugar beets and hay on to the streets.

Majority of EU countries ask bloc to scale back deforestation law

India's election season brings with it an unending drama of alliances Partnerships and collaborations and India's state of Maharashtra is no stranger to political mergers. In the latest move made by the BJP in Maharashtra, the party has reportedly proposed a merger with Raj Thackeray. Watch in for more details!

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP seeks long-term partnership with Thackeray's MNS

Donald Trump has got some relief in the $454 million fraud Bond deadline. A state appeals court has reduced the bond amount that Trump must pay in response to his civil fraud judgment. Trump has been given 10 days to pay $175 million, failure to do this would see the seizure of his assets Watch to know more!

Trump civil fraud case: Court reduces Trump's fraud bond to $175 mn, extends deadline

China has implemented new government procurement guidelines. These guidelines prioritise domestic technology, phasing out U.S. Microprocessors like those from Intel and AMD, as well as Microsoft's windows operating system, from government computers and servers. This shift aims to promote domestic alternatives and potentially reduce reliance on foreign technology.

China prohibits use of Intel, AMD chips in government systems & servers

The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Israel's longtime ally US abstained from voting. Experts say that this highlights the all-time low ties between the two, Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Watch to know more!

Israel war: US says 'disappointed' after Israel cancels visit to Washington

You can now get a bird's eye view of the Italian Countryside Umbria through a new adventurous delight, the Tibetan Bridge. The bridge is suspended 175 m above the ground & is opening in Umbria also called the green heart of Italy. Watch in for more details!

Europe's highest Tibetan bridge opens for thrill-seekers in Italy

The Pakistani Security forces have killed four terrorists as they foiled a major attack on one of its key Naval facilities in the Balochistan province. Watch to know more!

Pakistan: Naval facility attacked in Balochistan

Moscow Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that Islamist militants were indeed behind the worst terror incident Russia has experienced in over two decades. Watch to know more!

Crocus City Hall Attack: Putin says Islamists behind concert hall attack

Tensions between China and Philippines have flared up yet again. The two countries being at a Crossroads over several confrontations in the sea. Watch in for more details!

China-Philippines maritime standoff: China terms non-removal of warship as 'aggressive act'

India's general elections begin in less than a month from now BJP Lok Sabha candidate and actor Kangana Ranaut has responded to an objectionable social media post which was made from Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate's Instagram account. Watch in for more details!

Kangana Ranaut Row: NCW registers complaint against Supriya Shrinate over her purported post

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: MNS to merge with Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena in Maharashtra?

Moscow Attack: Shooting fits a wider campaign of intimidation: President Putin

The Congress party on Monday announced its sixth list of candidates, who are going to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The list has names of five candidates, 4 from Rajasthan and 1 from Tamil Nadu.

India General Elections 2024: Congress releases sixth list of candidates for Lok Sabha polls

Focus on Maharashtra: Party leader Sanjay Raut has said that the Shiva Sena Uddhav Thackeray faction's first list of candidates will be formally declared later today. Watch in for more details!

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Shiv Sena (UBT) to release first list of candidates today

The Aam Aadmi Party has given a call to encircle Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resident. Delhi police have heightened Security in several areas of the national capital. Watch in for more details!

Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: Delhi Police detains several AAP workers ahead of 'Gherao' protest

In Malawi, where more than half of the nation has been declared a disaster zone. This comes following El Nino led dry spells that had left 23 of the nation's 28 districts with little or no harvest altogether. The nation, as the authorities are calling it, is now under a drought crisis.

Malawi follows Zambia to declare drought caused by El Nino

Millions of Americans are still feeling winter weather as the U.S. braces for a major snowstorm to sweep across the country. On Sunday, 16 states from California to Michigan were under winter alerts as the next big storm will be dropping heavy snow and causing travel delays through Tuesday. Watch in for more details!

US braces for major storm, 16 states from California to Michigan under winter alert

Canada's maple syrup, a staple at breakfast tables in a large part of the world is facing an unprecedented crisis. New figures from statistics Canada have revealed a steep decline in production. This with numbers falling from a record high of 79 million litres in 2022 to just over 47 million litres this year.

Canada’s maple syrup production hits 5-year low

Pakistan: Naval Air Base PNS Siddique in Turbat attacked, BLA's Majeed brigade claims responsibility

As the UN Security Council demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and concerns grow that famine may take hold, the territory's hungry civilians are foraging for a wild green plant called Khobiza for lack of anything else to eat.

Gaza's hungry civilians forced to eat wild plant with no aid relief in sight

The Aam Aadmi Party has given a call to encircle Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resident. Delhi police have heightened Security in several areas of the national capital. Meanwhile, BJP is protesting in Delhi demanding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's resignation. Watch in for more details!

Arvind Kejriwal Arrest: BJP holds protest in Delhi demanding Kejriwal's resignation

Pakistan Naval Base Attacked: Security forces gun down 4 BLA terrorists

Israel war: UN Security council votes to demand immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Baltimore Bridge Collapses Video: A large boat collided with a portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse on Tuesday (Mar 26).

The collision sent multiple vehicles plunging into the water below.&nbsp;

According to media reports, the ship collided with the bridge at 1:30 a.m. local time.&nbsp;

Two people have been rescued from the water after a Baltimore bridge collapse. The city's fire chief says it remains a search-and-rescue effort&nbsp;

<h2>Baltimore Bridge Collapse&nbsp;Video</h2>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Volunteer Firefighters from <a href="https://twitter.com/jmvfc8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jmvfc8</a>, the Volunteer Swift Water Team and the <a href="https://twitter.com/HarfordCoDES?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarfordCoDES</a> Special Operations Team are assisting the Unified Command at the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. <a href="https://t.co/ipoTR2HljY">pic.twitter.com/ipoTR2HljY</a>
— Harford Co., MD Fire &amp; EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) <a href="https://twitter.com/HarforCoFireEMS/status/1772531201904873564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Video footage of the incident is making rounds on social media platforms.

On X, the video shows the impact as the vessel crashed into the bridge, igniting a fire before sinking into the river.

No injuries have been reported till now. Rescuers are searching for multiple people in the water.

The Maryland Transportation Authority closed all lanes in both directions, diverting traffic away from the scene as rescue operations unfolded.

The Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on X, “All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured.”&nbsp;

Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X, "I'm aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway."

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. took to social media to reassure the public that emergency personnel were on-site.

"Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for those impacted," he wrote on X.

<h2>Historical significance of&nbsp;Baltimore Francis Scott Key bridge</h2>

Named after Francis Scott Key, who penned "Star Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States, the bridge is a historical landmark, which opened in 1977 and is the outermost crossing of the Baltimore harbor and a vital link of Interstate 695. 
&nbsp;

Baltimore Bridge Collapses Video: A large boat collided with a portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse on Tuesday (Mar 26). The collision sent multiple vehicles plunging into the water below.

Baltimore Bridge Collapses Video: A large boat collided with a portion of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse on Tuesday (Mar 26). The collision sent multiple vehicles plunging into the water below. According to media reports, the ship collided with the bridge at 1:30 a.m. local time. Two people have been rescued from the water after a Baltimore bridge collapse. The city's fire chief says it remains a search-and-rescue effort Baltimore Bridge Collapse Video The Volunteer Firefighters from @jmvfc8, the Volunteer Swift Water Team and the @HarfordCoDES Special Operations Team are assisting the Unified Command at the Baltimore Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. pic.twitter.com/ipoTR2HljY — Harford Co., MD Fire & EMS (@HarforCoFireEMS) March 26, 2024 × Video footage of the incident is making rounds on social media platforms. On X, the video shows the impact as the vessel crashed into the bridge, igniting a fire before sinking into the river. No injuries have been reported till now. Rescuers are searching for multiple people in the water. The Maryland Transportation Authority closed all lanes in both directions, diverting traffic away from the scene as rescue operations unfolded. The Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on X, “All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured.” Mayor Brandon M. Scott wrote on X, "I'm aware of and en route to the incident at the Key Bridge. I have been in contact with @BaltimoreFire Chief Wallace, @GovWesMoore @JohnnyOJr, and @AACoExec. Emergency personnel are on scene, and efforts are underway." Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. took to social media to reassure the public that emergency personnel were on-site. "Rescue efforts are underway. Please pray for those impacted," he wrote on X. Historical significance of Baltimore Francis Scott Key bridge Named after Francis Scott Key, who penned "Star Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States, the bridge is a historical landmark, which opened in 1977 and is the outermost crossing of the Baltimore harbor and a vital link of Interstate 695.

Watch | Baltimore's Francis Scott Key bridge collapses after ship collision

world-news

World News, News on World News, stories on World News, articles on World News, World News stories at Wion, World News news, World News latest news

world news