Connect with us

World

EU to streamline its defence strategy

Published

on

EU to streamline its defence strategy

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will soon put forward a common strategy for the EU’s defence industry, designed to strengthen military production and arms supply.

ADVERTISEMENT

Von der Leyen, who has just announced her intention to run for a second term, reiterated in an interview with Euronews her desire for more coordination when it comes to military spending by EU states.

“We have to spend more, we have to spend better, and I think we have to spend in a more ‘European’ way to consolidate our defence industrial base,” she said.

The European Union takes up arms

Since the invasion of Ukraine, EU member states have considerably increased their military spending. From a total of €240 billion in 2022, it has increased to €280 billion in 2023 and will rise to €350 billion in 2024, Von der Leyen told Euronews.

According to the latest NATO data, Poland, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania and Finland are currently the European states with the highest military expenditure in relation to their gross domestic product: Warsaw’s is up to 3.9 per cent, higher proportionally than even the United States.

But as Von der Leyen explains, more cooperation between the member states is needed, and the first step will be a European defence industry strategy, which the Commission will present soon.

Advertisement

Common strategy

The details of the plan are still unclear, but among the possible solutions are a joint arms procurement programme, similar to the one designed for Covid-19 vaccines, and even the issuance of common European debt to finance military expenditure.

Both would be major innovations, but it will not be easy to get member states to agree to them, explains Dylan Macchiarini Crosson, a researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies, a Brussels-based think tank, to Euronews.

“At the moment there is no agreement between the EU member states, for example on the joint procurement of military equipment from third countries or private companies, carried out by the EU on behalf of the states,” he said. “Even Eurobonds for defence are more of a hypothesis, without any concrete political agreement.”

Some governments would like to include precise clauses in the plan. France, for example, insists that military investments should be directed to European companies, rather than buying military systems from other countries, as many EU armies do. 

Greece and Cyprus, on the other hand, would like to expressly exclude purchases from the Turkish military industry.

Advertisement

A cornerstone of the strategy is the establishment of a European Defence Commissioner, responsible for coordinating defence policies and supporting the military industry.

World

‘X-Men’ Star Famke Janssen Says Marvel ‘Made a Mistake’ By Not Asking Her to Return as Jean Grey in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Published

on

‘X-Men’ Star Famke Janssen Says Marvel ‘Made a Mistake’ By Not Asking Her to Return as Jean Grey in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

Famke Janssen said during a recent conversation with Nerdtropolis at Spacecon 2026 that Marvel “made a mistake” by not bringing her back as Jean Grey for December’s “Avengers: Doomsday.”

“I am so bad at keeping secrets that I always say to everyone I’m the worst actor in the world. It’s all on my face. You right away will read it,” Janssen said. “I think they made a mistake, but hey, who am I? I’m just a little me who thinks that.”

Janssen first appeared as the telepath Jean Grey, aka Phoenix, in 2000’s “X-Men,” and then reprised the role for 2003’s “X2: X-Men United” and 2006’s “X-Men: The Last Stand.” She also briefly appeared as Grey in 2013’s “The Wolverine” and 2014’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

Janssen’s absence from “Doomsday” is notable, considering Marvel is bringing back many of her “X-Men” co-stars for the film. Patrick Stewart (Charles Xavier), Ian McKellen (Magneto), James Marsden (Cyclops), Kelsey Grammer (Beast), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler) and Rebecca Romijn (Mystique) are all set to return.

In an October 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Janssen said in every interview she does, she’s asked about the future of Jean Grey in the MCU.

Advertisement

“It’s interesting,” Janssen said. “I didn’t realize that was such a big part. Every interview I do, that will come up, and of everything I say, that is going to be the only thing that’s gonna be printed.”

“I should be flattered, I suppose, that this character has resonated with people,” she added. “It’s been so long, but it’s nice that people are still talking about her. I’m sure every single time there’s a new movie that they’re doing, like [is it] ‘Doomsday?’ … it’ll come up again.”

Continue Reading

World

Two-train crash leaves at least 1 dead, 89 injured as emergency crews rush to chaotic scene

Published

on

Two-train crash leaves at least 1 dead, 89 injured as emergency crews rush to chaotic scene

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Authorities are responding after two passenger trains crashed into each other Friday near Bedford, England, killing at least one person and injuring nearly 90 others.

The East of England Ambulance Service said it was called to a collision involving two trains at Elstow, near Bedford, at about 5:15 p.m. local time and quickly declared a “major incident.”

One person died at the scene, 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 people had minor injuries, officials said.

Bedford is roughly 60 miles north of London.

Advertisement

2 TRAINS COLLIDE IN DENMARK, LEAVING 5 PEOPLE CRITICALLY INJURED

Two passenger trains collided Friday in the United Kingdom. (Fox News)

All the patients with the most serious injuries have been taken from the scene to hospital.

The ambulance service said it sent numerous resources to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area response teams and six air ambulances.

MULTIPLE STABBED IN UK TRAIN ATTACK NEAR CAMBRIDGE AS POLICE ARREST 2 SUSPECTS

Advertisement

Emergency crews were pictured working near the scene. (Fox News)

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we thank all emergency service colleagues for their swift response,” the ambulance service wrote in a statement.

The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its crews were also responding.

“Please avoid the area,” fire officials wrote in a statement on X.

Sources told The Telegraph the train driver was on the phone with maintenance staff discussing a safety issue at the time of the crash.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Continue Reading

World

Lebanese influencer organises World Cup event amid Israel’s attack on Leban

Published

on

Lebanese influencer organises World Cup event amid Israel’s attack on Leban
NewsFeed

As Israel’s war on Lebanon rages, hundreds gather in Rmeileh by Sidon Gate to watch the 2026 World Cup. Organised by influencer Bilal Haddad, the fan zone offers food trucks, shisha and family activities, giving people a rare chance to relax. Al Jazeera’s Justin Salhani went to check it out.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending