EU proposes $2.33 trillion budget
BRUSSELS – The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a two-trillion-euro ($2.33 trillion) budget for 2028-2034 for the European Union (EU).
The budget proposal would raise EU spending to an average of 1.26% of the bloc’s gross national income, up from around 1.1% during the current 2021-2027 cycle.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the budget as “larger, smarter and sharper”, saying it reflects Europe’s ambition, addresses its challenges and strengthens its independence.
The plan includes a new 409-billion-euro ($473 bn) European Competitiveness Fund to reinforce the EU’s defence sector, accelerate industrial innovation and support the transition to clean energy. Within the fund, 131 billion euros ($151 bn) would be allocated to defence and space. China Daily
NATO warns BRICS trio over Russia ties
WASHINGTON – NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has called on China, Brazil and India to pressure Russia or be hit by US sanctions.
While meeting Senators in the US, Rutte said he was sure that these countries, especially China, would be “very helpful” in putting pressure on Russia.
“My encouragement to these three countries, particularly is, if you live now in Beijing, or in Delhi, or you are the president of Brazil, you might want to take a look into this, because this might hit you very hard,” Rutte told reporters.
“So please make the phone call to Vladimir Putin and tell him that he has to get serious about peace talks, because otherwise this will slam back on Brazil, on India and on China in a massive way,” Rutte added. DW
Kenya vaccinates 21 million children
NAIROBI – Kenya has vaccinated some 21.3 million children against typhoid and measles in its latest campaign against the two infectious diseases, the biggest vaccination drive in the East African nation’s history, a government official has said.
Aden Duale, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Health, said in a statement released on Tuesday evening in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi that 16.1 million children received the typhoid conjugate vaccine, and 5.18 million children were vaccinated against measles and rubella.
He said that the typhoid vaccine has achieved 84% national coverage while the measles vaccine reached 81%.
According to the World Health Organization, typhoid fever is spread through contaminated food and water, while measles is one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide. Xinhua