Japan, Central Asian countries agree to supply resources to Europe bypassing Russia

Japan and five central Asian countries have agreed to develop a transport route to Europe bypassing Russia to ensure stable supplies of critical minerals and energy resources.

The Caspian Sea route is expected to ensure stable supplies of critical minerals, including rare metals, as well as energy resources such as oil and natural gas.

Japan held its first summit with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan amid efforts by Russia and China to expand their trade and economic influence in this Resource-Rich region.

The participating countries adopted the Tokyo declaration, which calls for decarbonization, logistics facilitation, and cooperation on human resource development.

Reference Sources

1. ukrinform - Japan, Central Asian countries agree to supply resources to Europe bypassing Russia

As EU waters down 2035 EV goals, electric startups express concern

The European Commission has softened its ambitious plan to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, citing the need for flexibility.

Instead of requiring 100% of new cars to be Zero-Emission vehicles by that date, the revised plan would allow 10% of new car sales to be hybrids or other vehicles as long as manufacturers purchase carbon offsets to compensate.

This change is part of a broader “automotive package” designed to help the European car industry become both clean and competitive.

If the European Parliament approves this shift, it would likely satisfy traditional European carmakers that have been asking for more time to move beyond hybrid vehicles.

These companies are struggling to compete with Tesla and the surge of affordable electric vehicles (EVs) coming from China.

However, the policy change has created division among EV startups and their investors.

“China already dominates EV manufacturing,” said Craig Douglas, a partner at World Fund, a European Climate-Focused venture capital firm. “If Europe doesn’t compete with clear, ambitious policy signals, it will lose leadership of another globally important industry — and all the economic benefits that come with It.” Even within the auto industry, opinions differ. in a statement to Swedish media, a Volvo press officer warned that “backing down on long-term commitments in favor of short-term gains risks undermining Europe’s competitiveness for many years to come.”

Reference Sources

1. techcrunch - As EU waters down 2035 EV goals, electric startups express concern

France to build new aircrafft carrier — Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Sunday that France will build a new aircraft carrier with a capacity for 30 fighter jets and 2,000 sailors.

The announcement was made at a French military base in Abu Dhabi, and Macron described it as “the display of our nation’s power in the service of freedom on the seas and amid the turbulence of our times.” The vessel is expected to replace the Charles de Gaulle carrier, which entered service in 2001 and is expected to retire by 2038.

The new generation aircraft carrier (Pang) is predicted to cost around €10.25 billion ($12 billion).

The vessel is to be able to house some 30 fighter jets and 2,000 crew members and is planned to stand at 310 meters (1,007 feet) long and 85 meters wide, making it far larger than its predecessor.

Once built, the Pa-Ng will be substantially larger than its predecessor and would become the largest warship ever constructed in Europe.

The announcement comes as European countries aim to bolster their Militaries against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and with Paris seeking to enhance its projection as a Maritime power.

The project, dubbed the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (Pa-Ng), is predicted to boost France's industrial base, in particular small and medium-sized businesses.

Reference Sources

1. thestar - France will build a new aircraft carrier as it increases defense spending
2. thestarmy - France to build new aircraft carrier, Macron tells troops based in Gulf
3. dwen - France to build new aircrafft carrier — Macron
4. ukdefencejournal - France to build large new nuclear aircraft carrier
5. france24 - Replay: French President Macron adresses troops deployed in United Arab Emirates

The CommonWealth English daily news digest is a service curated by CommonWealth English team with the help of AI tools.  

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