EU Open to Customs Union Talks with UK; Other Global Developments Unfold
Brussels indicated it would be "openminded" about discussing closer trade ties with the UK, including the possibility of working together on a customs union, according to European Commissioner for finance Valdis Dombrovskis, speaking to the BBC. This comes as other significant global developments unfolded, including the reopening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt by Israel, the escape of kidnapped Nigerians in Kaduna state, a potential trade deal between the US and India, and China's ban on hidden car door handles.
Dombrovskis stated the bloc was "ready to engage" if the UK wanted to explore the move, an idea Labour has faced growing pressure to consider. He spoke after high-level talks with ministers including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, also suggesting Britain and the EU could remove "most" food checks between the UK and the bloc.
Meanwhile, Israel reopened Gaza's key Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which had been largely closed since May 2024 after Israeli forces captured the Gazan side, according to BBC World. The reopening was initially planned during the first phase of a US ceasefire plan. The move will provide relief to many Palestinians.
In Nigeria, eighty kidnapped Nigerians returned home after escaping from gunmen in Kaduna state, BBC Africa reported. The individuals were among 177 people seized last month from three churches in Kurmin Wali. According to state police spokesman Mansur Hassan, the escapees hid in neighboring villages for a fortnight "due to fear of being captured again." Authorities are working to secure the release of the remaining 86 people still being held.
US President Donald Trump announced a potential trade deal with India, stating the US would lower tariffs on goods from India to 18 from 25. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said India would reduce trade barriers to zero and stop buying Russian oil. An additional 25 tariff penalty imposed for Delhi's refusal to stop buying oil from Russia would be dropped. This announcement follows a recent trade deal between India and the European Union.
In the technology sector, China banned hidden door handles on electric vehicles (EVs) due to safety concerns, becoming the first country to do so, according to BBC Technology. The new regulations require cars to have a mechanical release both on the inside and outside of their doors. This decision follows scrutiny of EVs after deadly incidents, including two fatal crashes in China involving Xiaomi EVs where power failures were suspected to have prevented doors from being opened.
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