EU agriculture Ministers agreed to reform CAP
EU agriculture Ministers have agreed to the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. L’Echo quotes Portuguese Minister Maria do Céu Antunes, rotating President of the Agriculture & Fisheries Council, saying it was now up to the Slovenian Presidency to lead the work together with the European Commission on secondary legislation. Italian Minister for Agricultural Policies Stefano Patuanelli said important steps had been achieved on the climatic-environmental aspects with particular reference to financial support for risk management tools that can use up to 3% of direct payments and rural development funds.
Accidents cost EU 3.3% of GDP
Le Soir quotes the European Commission saying accidents and occupational diseases cost the EU economy over 3.3% of GDP per year. In the presentation of the new framework for safety and health at work, the EC says estimates show that for every Euro invested in safety and health at work, the return for the employer is about double.
Russia, China extend friendship treaty
Russia and China have extended the Good Neighborhood, Friendship and Cooperation Treaty. According to Tass news agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping said “no matter how many obstacles have to be overcome, China and Russia will continue to unite their efforts and move forward with determination”. President Putin underlined that Russia and China can play “a stabilising role in world affairs”, in particular, the Korean Peninsula, Syria, Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear agreement.
Biden meets Israeli President
CNN quotes US President Joe Biden saying his commitment to Israel was “iron-clad” and he lookedforward to meeting the new Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett soon. In a meeting on Monday with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Biden said Iran would not come to possess a nuclear weapon during his time in office.
Draghi, Blinken discuss Mediterranean instability, Libya.
Ansa reports Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi met US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in Rome to discuss a range of subjects including the fight against COVID-19, the economic and social revitalisation and the fight against climate change, as well as the most important international crises, with specific attention to instability in the Mediterranean region and Libya.
Mexico decriminalises recreational cannabis
According to TV Azteca, Mexico’s Supreme Court has decriminalised the private recreational use of cannabis by adults, calling the current prohibition unconstitutional. In an 8-3 decision, the court ruled that adults would be able to apply for permits to cultivate and consume their own cannabis. Smoking in public and in front of children is prohibited.
France out of Euro 2020
In a day described as “the greatest day of the Euros”, yesterday’s two games went to extra time after late goals overturned 3-1 deficits in extraordinary fashion and there were 14 goals in total. In the match between Spain and Croatia (5-3 after extra time), there was a bizarre own goal, late heroics from substitutes and “broken hearts” at full-time. In the France-Switzerland match, there was a wonder goal, a penalty shootout and a giantkilling. Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer was Switzerland’s shoot-out hero as he saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty to knock France out at the last 16. Switzerland will now go through to face Spain in the quarter finals on Friday, after winning 5-4 in the penalty shoot out, with extra time having finished 3-3. The round of 16 concludes today with England taking on Germany (6 pm) and Sweden facing Ukraine at 9 pm.
Copa America: Argentina dominated Bolivia 4-1 and finish top of their group ahead of Uruguay, who won 1-0 against Paraguay on a penalty. Lionel Messi consolidated his legendary by scoring his 75th goal in his 148th international appearance. Argentina will face Ecuador in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
