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Portugal Constructs Europe's First Dedicated Drone Carrier
Portugal is constructing Europe's first dedicated drone carrier, a warship designed to operate unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater systems, potentially challenging the dominance of traditional aircraft carriers, according to Euronews. The 107.6-meter NRP D João II is scheduled for delivery in the second half of this year.
Built by Dutch company Damen in Romania's Galati, the vessel cost 132 million euros, primarily funded by EU recovery funds, Euronews reported. The D João II offers high flexibility and lower costs compared to traditional aircraft carriers and can switch mission profiles within a week.
In other news from across Europe, France's National Assembly unanimously approved a bill on Wednesday that ends the ambiguity surrounding "marital duty" and consent, Euronews stated. The bill, backed by over 120 MPs, enshrines the principle that consent remains essential for any sexual act, including within marriage. Spearheaded by MP Marie-Charlotte Garin and Paul Christophe, president of the Horizons group, the law aims to definitively rule out the use of "marital duty" to ignore sexual consent in marriages. The text will now be examined by the Senate under an accelerated procedure.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, Sanija Ameti, an independent Zurich council member formerly of the Green-Liberal party, was fined in suspension for "disturbing freedom of religion and worship," Euronews reported. The Zurich district court ruled on Wednesday that Ameti was guilty of firing a sports pistol at an auction poster of a 14th-century painting of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus and then posting images of the damage online. She received a suspended fine totaling 3,000 Swiss francs.
Japan is experiencing record snowfall, causing chaos across parts of the country, according to Euronews. Weather officials are warning of heavy snowfall along the Sea of Japan coast, with up to 70 cm expected in some regions. Severe winter weather has led to major traffic disruption due to dangerous road conditions. In Niigata Prefecture, Tsunan Town recorded 21 centimetres of snowfall in six hours, while Tadami in Fukushima saw 16 centimetres. Snow depths now stand at 264 centimetres in parts of Niigata and 150 centimetres in Aomori City.
Finally, after years of negotiations, the EU and India have struck a landmark free trade deal, according to Euronews. The agreement, described as the "mother of all deals," goes far beyond tariffs and signals a new geoeconomic logic of openness on negotiated, strategic terms.
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