EU and India Strike Landmark Free Trade Deal After Two Decades of Negotiations
Brussels - After two decades of intermittent discussions, the European Union and India finalized a comprehensive free trade agreement, hailed as a significant step beyond traditional tariff reductions, according to Euronews. The deal, described as the "mother of all deals," signals a new era of geoeconomic strategy, emphasizing openness on negotiated, strategic terms, wrote Daniela Schwarzer, a member of the Board at Bertelsmann Stiftung, in an opinion piece for Euronews.
The agreement comes at a time when international relations are increasingly characterized by "weaponised interdependence," according to Schwarzer. It signifies a shift towards strategic partnerships and negotiated openness in the global trade landscape.
In other news, Israel and Kazakhstan signed a memorandum on Tuesday to remove visa requirements for tourism, marking a step to strengthen relations, Euronews reported. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and his Kazakh counterpart Yermek Kosherbayev signed the agreement in Astana, with Saar stating his visit reflected a desire to further strengthen relations in order to realise their full potential.
Meanwhile, the UK navy is implementing stricter alcohol policies at sea, Euronews reported Thursday. Royal Navy personnel will be limited to three units of alcohol per day or 14 units per week, regardless of rank. Vessels will also observe at least two teetotal days per week. This marks a shift from the navy's historical drinking culture, which included a daily rum ration that ended in 1970.
In Switzerland, Sanija Ameti, a Zurich council member, was fined in suspension for firing a sports pistol at an auction poster of a 14th-century painting of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus, Euronews reported. The Zurich district court found Ameti guilty of "disturbing freedom of religion and worship" and issued a suspended fine of 3,000 Swiss francs.
Web Summit returned to Doha for its third year, with organizers expecting over 30,000 attendees from more than 120 countries, Euronews reported. The four-day event at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre positions Qatar as a growing hub for technology, startups, and international collaboration. Last year's summit generated an estimated 185 million in economic returns.
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