By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
REGIONAL
Glaciologists warn over rapid melting of Glaciers in Sweden and Norway
On 16 April, a report in Euronews recorded that the glaciers in Sweden and Norway have been melting at a rapid pace, raising concerns. EU’s Copernicus recorded that Europe was at its warmest in 2024 compared to the rest of the years, and the glaciers in the Nordic region have experienced an average melt of approximately 1.8 meters. Glaciologists and other scientists have raised concerns over the loss of glacial ice, and if the trend continues, it could lead to the disappearance of glaciers. According to Erik Huss, a glaciologist in Sweden: “We need to take care of these small ice caps. They are incredibly important to us humans for energy, architecture, water supply, and many other things. The whole ecology of the mountains and the Alps depends on the incoming and outgoing flow of water.” Glacier melting is a part of Earth’s climate cycle, but at an unprecedented rate, it is difficult for the ecosystems to adapt. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, 70 per cent of the freshwater comes from the glaciers, supporting agriculture, energy production, industries, drinking water supplies, and many more. Besides their role in water cycles, glaciers act as time capsules in the planet's history. The ice records past climates, environmental changes, and human activity. (Abby Chitty, “Glaciers in Sweden and Norway are melting faster, experts warn,” Euronews, 16 April 2025)
EU listed several African countries as safe for asylum seekers
On 16 April, the European Commission released its list of safe countries for asylum seekers. The commission ensures that all candidates must meet the criteria to be designated to one of the countries that come under the safe list. That means, countries like Albania, Bosnia, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkiye are on the list. Countries to be added to the list include Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia. The EU members also have their lists consisting of citizens who seek asylum, such as Italy and Germany, which receive migrants from many African countries. The Commission looks forward to merging its list with the member states' list and working on streamlining the designation for those countries that are considered safe. The list created by the EU remains provisional and based on the current status of the country; it could be removed from the list, and new countries can be added. The concept of a safe country is developed on the basis that migrants seeking asylum can be designated to non-EU countries and deported to safe third countries. (Vincenzo Genovese, “Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco in EU list of safe countries of origin,” Euronews, 16 April 2025)
Europol tracks drug smuggling operation using ANOM digital tracking platform
On 16 April, Europol, under Operation Bulut, dismantled four major criminal networks that are responsible for the flow of drugs into the EU and arrested more than 230. The investigation took place in various places, like Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. Law enforcement officers have employed digital tracking within encrypted digital platforms to track down and arrest suspected drug smugglers. Andy Kraag, Head of Europol, explained about the operation in an interview, said: The strategy for tackling these criminal organisations is data data-driven network strategy, where they collect large data sets. With this, they can conduct analysis, identify, and locate the right criminals. To collect evidence, ANOM is a platform run by the Australian police and law enforcement. On the platform, the criminals also talked about their activities, and through this platform, criminals chose to communicate. The conversations carried out gave Europol the advantage to carry out the operation. (Sergio Cantone, “Digital tracking on encrypted platforms leads to drugs smuggling bust, Europol says,” Euronews, 16 April 2025)
European Commission report warns on harmful products used in cosmetics
On 16 April, the European Commission received more than 4000 warnings on the use of harmful products from national authorities. According to a report released, the alerts were issued via Safety Gate, a system allowing authorities to report on the danger levels of non-food products. The topmost product, containing harmful chemicals, includes cosmetic products that contain harmful fragrance BMHCA, commonly known as Lilial, which is banned in the EU. The cause for its ban is that it can cause infertility and skin irritation. Apart from BMHCA, the presence of nickel and lead in jewelry, allergenic fragrances in body oil, and plastic softeners in clothing make up half the reports. 36 per cent comprises cosmetics, 15 per cent on toys, and ten per cent on motor vehicles. Cosmetics Europe, an industry association, said, “Many of the products alerted were potentially delivered to retailers before being placed on the banned list and have remained on the store shelves.” The majority of the harmful products come from China. The EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath, who is responsible for consumer protection, said, “This is due in part to the success of Chinese online retailers like Shein and Temu that sell cheap clothing and consumer products.” To get a solution, the European Commission wants to tackle the problem at the source and strengthen the dialogue with authorities, companies, and production facilities in China. He further added that the problem is widespread, and that includes producers from the EU, and the commission must focus on monitoring online retailers for potentially harmful products. (Chiara Bachels, “EU reports record number of warnings on harmful products,” Deutsche Welle, 16 April 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
Canada and Portugal to buy Swedish jets instead of American ones
On 16 April, Portugal and Canada are considering alternatives to the purchase of American-made F-35 class of fighter jets to the Swedish JAS 39 Gripen E/F fighter jet. This was confirmed by the CEO of Saab, a Swedish company, that Portugal and Canada are studying whether to buy their jets. The change in plans came after Portugal's Defence Minister Nuno Melo’s statement, “was skeptical over buying US F-35A Lightning II,” which is produced by the American aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin. The purpose of the change is due to the fear that a kill switch could ground the plane embedded onboard, which was not backed by evidence and refusals by Lockheed Martin. Additionally, experts say that both jets are designed for different purposes. Former Project Manager of NATO, Walter Kowalski, said, “The main advantage for Saab’s Gripen fighters is that they can host a variety of weapons, which include long and short-range missiles, and guided bombs. The Grippen enables countries to customise it with the parts and weapons that they already have.” (Anna Desmarais, “Is there a European fighter jet that could end reliance on the US and its F-35?” Euronews, 16 April 2025)
Chinese exports to Europe are predicted to increase by six per cent says WTO
On 16 April, the World Trade Organisation released the Global Trade Outlook, which found the decoupling of both Chinese and US economies, which would lead to a plunge of merchandise trade of 81 per cent in 2025, and without the recent exemptions granted by the US on products like smart phones, it would become worse, and drop by 91 per cent. The report has observed the increase in Chinese exports to Europe, which has risen by six per cent. After the imposition of American tariffs, Europe will look for other markets for its exports. WTO Chief Economist, Ralph Ossa, claims that “this is a two-way street, there will be some European exports diverted into other economies, and with tariffs placed on motor vehicles, the tensions could potentially propagate.” The US has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on EU cars, steel, and aluminum; US tariffs of 10 per cent apply to the other EU exports. The tensions between China and the US have escalated, with Chinese exports to the US hit by 145 per cent tariffs, and US exports to China facing 125 per cent tariffs. (Peggy Corlin, “WTO forecasts 6% bump in Chinese exports to Europe in 2025,” Euronews, 16 April 2025)
GERMANY
Federal court rules no inhuman reception if migrants returned to Greece
On 16 April, Germany’s Federal Court in Leipzig ruled that the two men facing impending deportation to Greece will not face inhumane or degrading reception conditions if they were to return. In Greece, migrants who receive protection status receive little to no access to state support, but the court found no significant probability that they would have material challenges. Judges ruling on a man from Northern Gaza, and a Somalian national, have recognized the eligibility for protection in Greece. The asylum applications were filed in Germany, but were rejected by the German state of Hesse. Germany’s lower court agreed that the Greek asylum system does not have shortcomings and could handle able-bodied men. According to the Dublin Agreement, asylum seekers must complete their asylum procedure in the EU’s first country of reception. The Federal Administrative Court was asked to assess the plight of refugees and on what conditions the refugees could return. The judges found that a single, employable, and non-vulnerable asylum seeker who landed in Germany through Greece could also be deported back there. Many beneficiaries of protection do not have access to the state support upon arrival due to bureaucratic hurdles. When it comes to accommodation, the place should contain basic sanitary facilities, which are operated at the municipal level and by non-governmental aid organisations. Presiding judge Robert Keller said: “The key test was whether the migrants in Greece have access to bread, bed, and soap.” Earlier, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe rejected a similar complaint by an individual against his deportation to Greece as inadmissible. In such cases, the refugee organisation Pro Asyl criticized the deportations to Greece, which need protection but receive no state support, and often end up homeless. (Richar Connor, “German court rules migrants can be deported back to Greece,” Deutsche Welle, 16 April 2025)