The EU aims to become the first climate-neutral continent in the world by 2050. Since the announcement of the European Green Deal and following the adoption of the European Climate Law in 2021, the EU's climate agenda has been built even more around the principle of carbon pricing. The EU emissions trading system (ETS) is, today, the cornerstone of the EU's strategy to achieve this vision, complemented by a mix of industrial, energy and climate policies. Currently, the EU ETS covers stationary (power and industrial) installations, domestic aviation and maritime transport. Following the revision of the EU ETS Directive, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, road transport and additional sectors not covered by the existing EU ETS will be covered under a new ETS2. Carbon pricing is expected to regulate around 75 % of EU GHG emissions from 2027. Following the adoption of the revised ETS Directive in 2023, Member States had to transpose the ETS2 into national law. The ETS2 will target GHG emissions from fuel for the sectors covered. Fuel suppliers have to buy and surrender emissions allowances and are likely to pass on the cost of this new instrument to final consumers. Consumers are likely to face higher energy bills if they do not switch to low-carbon technologies, which is why the ETS2, while aiming to achieve climate objectives, has become a social concern. A new Social Climate Fund will support the switch to low-carbon technologies in the building and transport sectors, including but not only through direct payments for vulnerable households impacted by the new ETS2. However, some stakeholders have claimed that the Social Climate Fund will not be enough and are asking for the ETS2 to be delayed or modified. This briefing looks at the recent issues and concerns that have been raised regarding the ETS2. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Trafficking in human beings is a serious crime and a violation of human rights. When it happens to children, it disrupts their childhood and exposes them to horrific exploitation and abuse, and a precarious future. Even though the true number of victims of human trafficking is not known, recent data reveal that the number of child victims has been on the increase. Awareness of children as victims of human trafficking has increased as well. Just like adult victims, child victims can be trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced criminality or organ removal. Recently, the EU has officially recognised new forms of exploitation, including surrogacy, forced marriage and illegal adoption. There are geographical differences in the recruitment of victims, with the vast majority of child victims originating from northern, southern and western Europe being girls (82.9 %) and 55.1 % of child victims from Africa and 77.6 % of child victims from southern Asia being boys. Female child victims are more likely to report sexual exploitation, while male child victims are more likely to be exploited through child labour. Forced criminality in the EU, although comparatively lower as a share of the total number of victims, is steadily increasing, with boys of migration background being the main targets. The EU's anti-trafficking legislation was amended last year, resulting in legislation that identifies children as especially vulnerable to trafficking. The amendments also expanded the list of forms of exploitation to include those that particularly affect children and emphasised the importance of a victim-centred approach and prevention. Member States are therefore asked, inter alia, to promote and provide regular and specialised training for professionals who are likely to come into contact with such children. Another relevant directive, on victims' rights, is currently being revised to provide even more rights to victims, including child victims. The existing directive already prioritises the best interests of children when applying its provisions. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Attracting young people to agriculture has been a goal of the European Union's (EU) common agricultural policy (CAP) since the 1980s. However, EU farmers are getting older – 57 % of farm managers are over 55 years of age, while only 12 % are under 40. Young farmers ensure continuity of agricultural production and bring vitality to rural areas. They are also more likely to modernise farms, engage in environmentally friendly practices and employ new business models and ideas. Young people who decide to go into farming often experience difficulties in accessing land, finance and knowledge. They also have to navigate the general challenges that come with living in rural areas. To address these issues, the CAP mandates that EU Member States allocate an equivalent of 3 % of their direct payments to support young farmers. This support can come in the form of complementary income support, installation aid and support for investment. Furthermore, Member States use the LEADER programme to improve infrastructure and basic services in rural areas. Some also provide support for farms that are being passed down from one generation to the next. However, several studies reveal that, despite several decades of efforts, these measures have shown limited results. The support being provided is considered insufficient to address the issue of access to land, especially for people entering agriculture without inheriting a farm. Nonetheless, this support is crucial for convincing young people to take over a farm and is often used for investment, as collateral when obtaining a loan, or for expanding an existing farm. Over the next three years, in addition to what is being provided under the CAP, the European Investment Bank Group is planning to provide €3 billion in loans on favourable terms for agriculture, with a share reserved for young farmers. In the current term, the European Parliament has not adopted a formal position on young farmers and generational renewal. However, its committees are working on own-initiative reports on the future of agriculture and strengthening rural areas. Parliament has previously called for a dedicated EU strategy on generational renewal, which the European Commission plans to put forward in 2025. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Russian air defenses downed 18 UAVs approaching the capital on Wednesday, according to Sergey Sobyanin Read Full Article at RT.com

Reports identify the victim as Andrey Portnov, a former Yanukovich aide rumored to possess sensitive information on Zelensky Read Full Article at RT.com

Consumer prices in Russia have grown by 0.15% since the beginning of May

According to the report, the US leader «repeated a number of the Kremlin’s talking points,» thus letting the European leaders know that he was inclined to acknowledge Russia’s military superiority in the conflict with Ukraine

Dmitry Razumkov noted that the situation is similar across the entire front, in many units

The delegation included representatives of several European and Arab diplomatic missions

The concern highlighted that the compact AK-12K was specifically designed to meet the needs of the Airborne Troops

The new SAFE initiative will let bloc members take out loans for procuring defense equipment and providing military aid to Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

The ‘total victory’ the PM has set as his goal is impossible, with or without American support Read Full Article at RT.com

Banu Mushtaq, a longtime women’s rights advocate and Kannada writer, won the 2025 International Booker Prize for Heartlamp, a collection of short stories drawn from decades of listening to the silences and struggles of Indian women. In this conversation with TOI’s Jaya Bhattacharji Rose, she shares why she writes, how pain becomes protest, and what her win means for voices from the margins

[allAfrica] Rabies remains one of the world's oldest and deadliest zoonotic diseases. Yet, with timely intervention, it is entirely preventable

[allAfrica] Cape Town -- «This is not an austerity Budget» were among the first words South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana spoke on his third attempt to present the country's 2025 Budget to South Africa.

[allAfrica] Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan activist known for his fight against corruption and police brutality, was detained in Tanzania, where he had travelled to attend the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. Mwangi was arrested at a Dar es Salaam hotel with Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire, and they were both held overnight at the city's central police station.

The Delhi high court has dismissed an order to prosecute a husband under Section 377 for «unnatural» sex with his wife, citing the marital rape exception and contradictions in the wife's statements. The court emphasized that Section 377 doesn't apply to non-penile-vaginal intercourse within marriage, especially without explicit lack of consent.

The Madras high court has temporarily halted a provision allowing the Tamil Nadu government to appoint vice chancellors in state universities, despite the government's opposition. This stay stems from a petition arguing the amendments conflict with UGC regulations and the constitutional distribution of powers.

Delhi-NCR experienced a sudden weather change on Wednesday evening. A severe hailstorm with heavy rainfall hit the region. Strong winds and dust affected visibility in the capital. The weather department reported wind speeds of 60-70 kmph. A cyclonic circulation over Haryana is influencing the weather. This followed intense heat, with the heat index reaching 50.

Delhi experienced a powerful thunderstorm with wind speeds reaching 60–70 km/h, causing traffic disruptions and flight delays. The storm, triggered by a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and nearby areas, followed a day of extreme heat where the heat index soared to 50.2°C.

The blaze injured 17 workers during maintenance operations, the authorities have reported Read Full Article at RT.com

Police have detained two Ukrainians and a Romanian in connection with three separate incidents in north London Read Full Article at RT.com

Kiev is ready to consider potential venues for talks with Moscow, Andrey Sibiga has said Read Full Article at RT.com

New Delhi has slammed Islamabad’s allegations that it was involved in a terrorist attack in Balochistan Read Full Article at RT.com

Newly amended legislation allows anyone to be designated for assisting foreign organizations viewed as threatening national security Read Full Article at RT.com

It's a money-saving move to that's sure to divide holidaymakers - but several budget airlines are reportedly set to introduce standing-only seating options, potentially as early as next year.

Apprentice bricklayer Jay Slater, 19. from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire, disappeared in Tenerife last summer sparking a major manhunt before he was found dead about a month later.

Sean ' Diddy ' Combs has continued to put on the charisma for the audience in the courtroom during his federal sex-trafficking and racketeering trial.

The former S Club singer, 44, and her partner Adam Thomas quit the UK with her two daughters Taya, five, and Tora, four, back in January, after a difficult time.

The commonly taken medication was found to significantly improved the ability of cells to fight cancer and suppressed tumor growth in several cancer types.

The news that Mummy Pig has given birth has caused upset among the farming community, with some claiming the show has been disingenuous in depicting how pigs give birth.

Taking PMQs, Keir Starmer defended the decision to strip nine million older people of the payments soon after taking power.

It's a money-saving move to that's sure to divide holidaymakers - but several budget airlines will reportedly introduce standing-only seating options next year.

LONDON (AP) — A British judge ordered Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown released on 5 million-pound (US$6.7 million) bail on Wednesday while facing allegations he beat and seriously injured a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in...