Author: staff
Published on 16/03/2026 – 14:14 GMT+1 The US trade deficit in goods with the EU declined by just 7% in 2025, despite tariffs imposed by the White House to narrow the gap, according to a study released Monday by the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham), highlighting the deep trade interdependence between the two partners. The report comes as Washington and Brussels remain at odds, due to the White House’s current aggressive trade policy, which includes tripling US tariffs on the bloc. A lopsided agreement was struck last summer between EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen…
The city’s main square became a massive, open-air training ground with crowds practicing soccer drills under the guidance of instructors. Participants followed instructors in a massive open-air training session, practicing drills and kicking football balls together. A representative from Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement, surpassing the previous record set in Seattle in 2025. The event comes as Mexico prepares to host the opening match of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, building excitement and celebrating the country’s deep football heritage.
Several headphones sold by leading tech companies across the European Union may contain hormone-disrupting chemicals, raising concerns over long-term health risks, according to a new study. More than 81 different types of headphones were analysed from over 50 well-known brands, including Samsung, Apple, Sony, and Sennheiser. Every single model tested contained at least some traces of harmful substances such as bisphenols, phthalates, and flame retardants. Bisphenols are used in consumer products such as food packaging, plastic bottles, feeding bottles, storage containers and some electronics. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), they can interfere with hormone systems and damage reproductive…
Set-jetting trips to Seoul are seeing a significant surge, following the huge success of KPop Demon Hunters, as fans from all over the world rush to visit iconic filming spots in South Korea’s capital city. The movie bagged two Oscars at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, for best animated feature and best original song. Praised for its beautiful artwork and for showcasing girl superheroes, the film was watched more than 300 million times in the first three months of its Netflix release, with a sequel announced as well. It has been declared a “cultural miracle” in South Korea, and…
The U.S. president has appealed to the U.K., China, France, Japan and South Korea to join a “team effort” to secure the chokepoint through which passes a fifth of the world’s oil supply. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump warned a failure to respond to his request would be “very bad for the future of NATO.” Starmer said the only way to secure stability in the oil market is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — but added: “That is not a simple task.” “So we’re working with all of our allies, including our European partners, to bring…
Published on 13/03/2026 – 15:57 GMT+1•Updated 16/03/2026 – 10:33 GMT+1 Despite reducing its fossil fuel imports since the invasion of Ukraine, the EU still heavily relies on foreign reserves. According to Eurostat, in 2023, the bloc’s energy dependency rate reached 58%, meaning that imports accounted for more than half of the EU’s energy needs. While import reliance varies across member states, 65% of the EU’s overall energy imports in 2023 were oil and petroleum, 25% were natural gas, 5% were solid fossil fuels, and only 2% were renewables. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East shows that energy independence is…
By Jane Witherspoon & Toby Gregory Published on 16/03/2026 – 13:20 GMT+1 The Gulf has long been a critical partner for Europe in energy markets, trade and global shipping routes. With tensions rising around the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s missile and drone attacks targeting the region, officials in Abu Dhabi say cooperation with European partners has become even more important. Speaking to Euronews, UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lana Nusseibeh said European governments have been among the most engaged international partners since the crisis began. “We’ve been in frequent contact with different governments around the world since…
Published on 16/03/2026 – 11:56 GMT+1 Oil prices rose at the open on Sunday as the Iran War entered its third week with seemingly no end in sight. Brent crude hit a high of $106.5 while WTI peaked at $102.4. At the time of writing, prices are trading at $103 and $97.5 respectively. The price action follows US strikes against Iran’s primary oil export hub, Kharg Island, on Friday after markets closed. While the attack focused on the island’s military infrastructure, the strike on Iran’s key export terminal is the latest in a series of destabilising moves in the beleaguered…
BERLIN — Germany’s government rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand that NATO allies help secure the Strait of Hormuz, declaring that the alliance had no place in the war. “This war has nothing to do with NATO. It’s not NATO’s war,” Stefan Kornelius, a spokesperson for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, told reporters in Berlin on Monday. “NATO is a defensive alliance, an alliance for the defense of its territory,” he added. Trump had warned NATO allies on Sunday they face a “very bad future” if they refuse to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, pressing Europe to support an American…
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s chief diplomat, said on Monday that she would propose changing the mandate of the bloc’s naval mission, as pressure on Europe grows to help secure access to the Strait of Hormuz and prevent major disruptions to global oil supplies. “We will discuss with the member states whether it is possible to really change the mandate of this mission,” Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels. “It is in our interest to keep the Strait of Hormuz open,” she added. Ministers are gathering in Brussels today to discuss how Europe…