EU prepares retaliation over US tariffs, seeks WTO action
The European Union announced plans to impose retaliatory tariffs on certain US imports, including potentially aircraft manufacturer Boeing, if ongoing trade tensions with Washington are not resolved. The action is in response to US President Donald Trump's tariffs on global trading partners, according to Reuters.
The European Commission, which handles trade policy for the EU's 27 members, has also announced that it will take legal action against US tariffs at the World Trade Organization.
"The EU remains committed to negotiated solutions, but we are preparing for all outcomes," added Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Reuters reported.
In early April, the US imposed a 20 percent tariff on EU goods, later pausing the measure for 90 days to allow for negotiations. However, a 10 percent tariff remains in place on EU imports.
Putin marks 80th Victory day with global allies amid ongoing Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin led a grand parade in Red Square to commemorate Victory Day, the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's defeat over Nazi Germany.
The event, held under strict security amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, was attended by 27 foreign leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, CNN reported.
Putin addressed troops and international dignitaries, describing Russia's intervention in Ukraine as a continuation of the Soviet fight against fascism. Thousands of soldiers marched alongside new weapons and foreign contingents, including 102 Chinese troops, as Moscow and Beijing's military and political ties strengthened.
Putin and Xi held bilateral discussions ahead of the parade, highlighting their growing partnership. Despite EU reservations, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was the sole EU leader attending. Venezuelan, Serbian, and Vietnamese leaders were also in attendance, according to CNN.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously stated that he could not guarantee the safety of anyone attending the event and encouraged heads of state not to travel to Moscow.
Weather likely to remain fair in most parts of the country
There is an influence of the westerly and local winds in the country at present along with a partial influence of the water vapor-rich air coming from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, according to the Meteorological Forecasting Division.
The weather will be partly to generally cloudy in the hilly region and fair in the rest of the country this afternoon, the Division stated.
Light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of the hilly and mountainous regions of the country. There is a possibility of light snowfall in some places of the mountainous region.
Similarly, the weather will be partly cloudy in the hilly region and fair in the rest of the country tonight.
Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunder and lightning is likely to occur at one or two places of the hilly region.
There are chances of light rain and snowfall at one or two places in the mountainous region.
Trump calls election of first American Pope a “Great Honour”
US President Donald Trump has applauded Robert Francis Prevost's election as the first American pope, calling it a "great honour" for the country. The 69-year-old Chicago native will be referred to as Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo studied near Philadelphia and later worked as a missionary in Peru. His unprecedented appointment has sparked admiration from political leaders across the United States, BBC reported.
With the US being home to the fourth-largest Catholic population in the world, congratulations poured in following the announcement.
