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MEPs back agriculture commission nominee following CAP defence pledges

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MEPs back agriculture commission nominee following CAP defence pledges

Luxembourgish Commissioner nominee won EU lawmakers’ hearts promising to be a boots-on-the-ground Commissioner closer to farmers’ needs.

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MEPs have approved Luxembourg’s Christophe Hansen as the next EU agriculture and food Commissioner, three Parliament sources present at a closed-door meeting confirmed to Euronews, following an open hearing that saw the nominee pledge to defend the CAP budget.

The informal vote by the MEPs on Hansen’s performance followed a more than three-hour hearing on Monday evening (4 November), with group leaders from the Christian democrats, socialists, conservatives, greens and liberals all voting in favour of his confirmation.

The vote was not unanimous, however, as two members of the right-wing Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group and one from The Left voted against, and another from the right-wing Patriots for Europe abstained.

Parliament’s procedure is that, after the public hearings, the chairs and coordinators of the various committees responsible for the evaluation assess and vote behind close doors on the candidate’s suitability for the role of Commissioner.  

Hansen cosied to the farming community throughout his open hearing, saying it had taken to the streets earlier this year because it felt unheard. He vowed to be a “boots-on-the-ground” Commissioner, committed to visiting farms across different member states.

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The Luxembourgish also recalled his upbringing on a family farm emphasising his first-hand experience with both the rewards and challenges of farming. “I know the good times and the bad times of farming life,” he said, reflecting on how his family struggled with bureaucracy that kept them from focusing on farm work.

The hearing’s most intense moment came when Hansen discussed the mental health challenges facing farmers, drawing on the memory of his late brother, who died following an accident last year.

Voice cracking, Hansen linked the accident to the stress and pressures faced by rural communities, including financial strain and long working hours.

Mercosur’ slippery slope

While Hansen’s promises resonated with many MEPs, his support for the Mercosur agreement drew criticism in the European Parliament’s agriculture committee where the hearing was held—and which vigorously opposes the trade deal.

Hansen said he would adopt a “balanced approach” to the issue, acknowledging the agreement’s benefits but also its challenges.

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He advocated for fair reciprocity in trade, claiming that European farmers face disadvantages due to stricter EU production standards compared to those in third countries.

Staunch defender of the CAP

Hansen won approval with his strong defence of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, especially its income support for European farmers.

He pushed back against recent speculation of budget restructuring proposals suggesting merger of the CAP with other EU programs, arguing that the bloc’s farming subsidies programme required its own dedicated budget.

The Luxembourgish added that budget cuts for farmers would be disastrous, especially in light of recent challenges, such as severe weather events across Europe.

On this, he acknowledged that EU leaders and their ministers would play significant roles in shaping the CAP’s future budget and scope.

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“I do not have the crystal ball but we need to put pressure on our national governments if we want a strong CAP that is not amputated from several parts,” he said.

He was tepid on proposals for an Agri-food Just Transition Fund, a one-off investment support aimed at helping farmers adopt more sustainable practices, arguing that existing resources should be fully utilised before creating new funds.

Hansen stressed the CAP’s importance not just for farmers but for all Europeans. However, he supported the reform of the CAP to better target financial aid, ensuring it goes to active farmers and those most in need.

He was also open to mandatory capping of subsidies, ensuring that more than 10% of aid reaches small farmers. “It is unacceptable that billionaires receive subsidies while those in need see minimal increases,” he said, urging more equitable distribution.

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Next Steps

With the backing of MEPs, Hansen can now turn his focus to producing a policy paper on the future of EU agriculture and food policy within 100 days of taking office.

He described this as a “shared roadmap for future initiatives”, reflecting diverse perspectives across the agri-food sector.

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2 people killed in collision between jet and vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, source says

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2 people killed in collision between jet and vehicle at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, source says

NEW YORK (AP) — An Air Canada regional jet struck a fire truck on the runway after landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night, crushing the nose of the plane, according to authorities and photos of the wreckage.

Two people were killed, according to a person familiar with the investigation into the crash. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss an active investigation.

Two Port Authority employees who were traveling in the fire truck also were injured, the person said.

There were 72 passengers and four crew members aboard the aircraft, a Jazz Aviation flight operating on behalf of Air Canada, according to a statement from the airline. The flight originated at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, the major airport serving Montreal.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said in a statement that the jet had struck a rescue and firefighting vehicle that was responding to a separate incident at about 11:45 p.m. The airport was closed as of 3 a.m. to facilitate the investigation, officials said.

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Photos and videos from the scene showed severe damage to the front of the aircraft, with cables and debris hanging from a mangled cockpit. Nearby, a damaged emergency vehicle lay on its side.

Stairways used to evacuate passengers from aircraft were pushed up to the emergency exits on the jet, a Bombardier CRJ. The impact left the jet with its crumpled nose tilted upward.

In the moments before the crash, an air traffic controller could be heard on a radio transmission giving clearance to a vehicle to cross part of the tarmac, then trying to stop it.

“Stop, Truck 1. Stop,” the transmission says. The controller can then be heard frantically diverting incoming aircraft from landing.

Jazz Aviation issued a statement confirming the accident and noting the passenger and crew list was preliminary and subject to confirmation.

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The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the incident.

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Trump, Starmer agree Strait of Hormuz must reopen as Middle East conflict escalates

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Trump, Starmer agree Strait of Hormuz must reopen as Middle East conflict escalates

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President Donald Trump spoke with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday to discuss escalating tensions in the Middle East, with a focus on the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore global shipping.

The leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, and in particular, the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to resume global shipping, Downing Street said in a statement.

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Keir Stamer, UK prime minister, during a news conference providing an update on the situation in the Middle East, at Downing Street in London, UK, on Thursday, March 5, 2026.  (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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“They agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential to ensure stability in the global energy market. They agreed to speak again soon.”

The call came amid a rapidly intensifying conflict in the region, with Iran blocking the strategically vital strait since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iranian targets on Feb. 28.

The military action triggered swift retaliation from Tehran and has since escalated into a broader regional war as Iran has sent missiles into numerous neighboring countries not directly involved in the initial conflict.

UK NUCLEAR SUBMARINE DEPLOYED TO ARABIAN SEA BEFORE IRAN TARGETS KEY US-UK BASE: REPORTS

President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office of the White House, on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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On March 21, Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran demanding the reopening of the key maritime route, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that failure to comply would result in further U.S. action, including potential strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure.

EU PUSHES FOR END OF IRAN WAR IN A MANNER WHERE ‘EVERYBODY SAVES FACE’

Bulk Carrier, Belray, in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz on March 22, 2026 in northern Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. (Getty Images/Getty Images)

Sunday’s conversation between Trump and Starmer perhaps reflected a thaw in the tense relationship between the two leaders.

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Trump had publicly criticized the U.K. government, stating that Britain “should have acted a lot faster” in allowing the U.S. to use British military bases for strikes targeting Iranian missile sites.

Starmer had also maintained that the use of U.K. bases could only be justified under the principle of “collective self-defense” in the region.

He had initially declined to support the U.S.-Israeli military operation, drawing repeated criticism from the White House.

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Meanwhile, Trump appeared to apply public pressure, sharing a “Saturday Night Live” clip Sunday mocking the British prime minister’s handling of the crisis.

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French elections: Paris stays left as far right makes mixed gains

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French elections: Paris stays left as far right makes mixed gains

France’s municipal runoff delivered a mixed verdict for the country’s main political forces on Sunday: the Left held Paris with Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire, the far-right and its allies scored a major symbolic win in Nice, and mainstream parties pointed to resilience in several big and mid-sized cities ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

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Municipal elections in France are local contests to elect mayors and local councils, but they are closely watched because they test party organisation, alliance-building, and grassroots strength before national campaigns begin.

In the capital, Socialist Emmanuel Grégoire defeated conservative rival Rachida Dati, ensuring Paris remains under left-wing control after outgoing mayor Anne Hidalgo chose not to seek another term.

The result extends a quarter-century of left-led rule of the capital and hands to the Socialists one of the most visible prizes of the night. Grégoire presented the result as a mandate for a progressive vision of the city.

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Elsewhere, the left also had reasons to celebrate. In Marseille, Socialist incumbent Benoît Payan was re-elected after the far right had hoped to seize France’s second-largest city.

While in Lyon, Green mayor Grégory Doucet held on after a hard-fought race against his conservative rival, which was reshaped by a last-minute merger with the list of hard-left party France Unbowed.

Socialists record strong showing

The Socialists also held or performed strongly in several regional cities, reinforcing the impression of a broader recovery for the traditional left.

For the far right, the picture was more complex. National Rally (RN) leader Jordan Bardella hailed what he called the party’s biggest local breakthrough, and RN kept the southwestern city of Perpignan while also winning smaller municipalities.

But the party fell short in several of the larger cities it had targeted, notably Marseille, Toulon and Nîmes. The exception was Nice, where Éric Ciotti — once a senior figure in the mainstream right and now allied with RN — won the race, giving the far right and its partners control of France’s fifth-largest city.

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The elections also brought clearer signs of fragmentation on the centre-right and in President Emmanuel Macron’s camp.

Former prime minister Édouard Philippe was re-elected in Le Havre, strengthening his standing as a possible 2027 contender, while Macron’s centrist forces could point to a symbolic win in Bordeaux, where Renaissance candidate Thomas Cazenave defeated outgoing Green mayor Pierre Hurmic.

At the same time, the loss of Macron’s former PM, François Bayrou, in southwestern Pau, underlined the vulnerabilities of the broader presidential alliance.

Turnout remained a concern. According to the Interior Ministry, participation in mainland France stood at 48.1% at 5 p.m., higher than the Covid-disrupted 2020 election but still below pre-pandemic levels.

Taken together, the results do not predict who will succeed Macron in 2027. But they do sketch the political landscape from which that contest will emerge: a left that can still win major cities, a mainstream right that remains locally entrenched, a centre searching for durable footholds, and a far right that is growing but may still face limits in the country’s biggest urban battlegrounds.

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