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China-Taiwan relations
EU statement: China's exercise threatens peace and stability

The EU and several countries express concern after the large Chinese military exercise off Taiwan.

"China's recent military exercise increases tensions around the Taiwan Strait and threatens international peace and stability," EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Anitta Hipper wrote in a statement according to AFP.

The EU calls for restraint and moderation. So does Germany, which emphasizes that any changes to Taiwan's status must be negotiated peacefully, writes Reuters.

France calls on all parties to refrain from escalation, writes the Foreign Ministry in a statement according to AFP.

EU vs tech giants
Breton after visa ban: "The EU must not show weakness"

The EU must not show "any signs of weakness." This is according to former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, one of five Europeans who the US recently imposed a travel ban on, according to Politico.

He wants to see a strong reaction to the American decision and says that European politicians risk being “scared into silence”.

The US has described Breton as the mastermind behind the EU’s Digital Services Act – the regulation that was used to fine Elon Musk’s platform X. All five have worked in one way or another to counter online hate, writes Politico. However, the US believes that they oppose American companies and engage in censorship.

The climate threat  Global challenges
Study: Bans for the sake of the climate have the opposite effect

Policies to push people to make lifestyle changes for the sake of the climate risk having the opposite effect – even among climate-conscious people. This is stated by researchers in a new study published in Nature Sustainability, Euronews reports.

Restrictions on, for example, passenger car traffic can create resistance because people react negatively if they feel that their freedom and freedom of choice are being restricted, according to the study.

Resistance decreases if people see climate action as effective, if they do not feel limited in their freedom of choice and can find reasonable alternatives. In Germany, for example, resistance is significantly lower to restrictions on short-haul flights than in the United States.

– Perhaps because there are good alternatives in the European train network, says the study's lead author, psychologist Karin Schmelz.sta

Eurostar trains are running again – with major delays

Eurostar trains under the English Channel are running again with continued major delays after being stopped for several hours on Tuesday. This is stated by the train operator according to AP.

Traffic was interrupted due to problems with the electricity supply in the Channel Tunnel earlier in the day. One of two train lines is now back in service. Traffic is expected to start running normally during the night, operator Getlink tells AFP.

Travelers are urged to rebook their tickets or seek alternative travel routes.