Photo : Capt. Nathan Poblete/US Air Force
By Vaihali Chittrothu
THE UK
Government to purchase F-35A fighter jets for the NATO airborne nuclear mission
On 25 June, the BBC reported that the UK planned to purchase 12 new F-35A fighter jets. They carry conventional weapons, including nuclear bombs. It was planned to join the NATO airborne nuclear mission. The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced this decision at the NATO summit, and he said this was to enhance national security and “A new era for our world-leading Royal Air Force. These new jets would be based at RAF. Currently, F-35 B jets are stationed there, which have shorter range, vertical landing, and the capacity to carry fewer weapons. They were purchased to be operated for the Royal Navy’s two Aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The NATO airborne nuclear mission, allied to aircraft equipped with American B61 bombs stockpiled in Europe. Along with the US, Germany, and Italy currently use dual-capacity jets. The use of nuclear weapons requires permission from the NATO Nuclear Planning Group, US President and UK Prime Minister. Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said that this is another robust contribution of the UK to NATO. The US already had B-61 bombs stationed in Europe, and the UK would be dependent on the US, as it still has control over the release and use of them in war. Britain currently has only one delivery system containing larger nuclear weapons launched from its Vanguard class submarines via Trident ballistic missiles. Warheads for Trident ballistic missiles are made in the UK; hence it validates the UK’s independent deterrence. Defence Secretary John Healey said, "confirmed we face new nuclear risks, with other states increasing, modernising and diversifying their nuclear arsenals". At the NATO summit, 32 countries were set to meet 3.2 per cent defence spending and rest on defence-related items. The UK PM committed to spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence. (Jonathan Beale, “UK to purchase nuclear-carrying fighter jets,” BBC, 24 June 2025)
FINLAND
Increase in cost of diabetes medicines impact low-income families says a WHO report
On 24 June, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report using Finland as a case study. The report talked about the impact of increased costs of diabetes medicines in Finland. The study took place because of a policy decided by Juha Sipila’s (CEN) government, which increased the costs of newer diabetes medicines, except insulin. It said even though it was a smaller change, it impacted the patients in need and low-income families because of a substantial increase in costs. This led to many implications, an increase in co-payments of medicines, scepticism of the co-payments, a decrease in non-insulin medicines, a decrease in satisfaction with diabetes care, and increased difficulty in paying for medicines. For people using metformin, costs increased in co-payments from EUR 294 to EUR 304. For people using the newer medicines, their costs increased from EUR 343 to EUR 500 per year. (“WHO uses Finland as case study about policies that raise diabetes drug costs," YLENEWS, 24 June 2025)
PORTUGAL
Government implements new rules for citizenship application and immigration
On 24 June, the Portuguese government announced new rules for the naturalisation and immigration laws. They introduced a new 10-year minimum period required for foreigners to apply for citizenship. Individuals speaking Portuguese in countries like Brazil and Angola would have to wait for 7 years, but citizens of other countries should wait for a solid 10 years. Cabinet minister António Leitão Amaro announced measures by citing “the requirement of an effective connection, of belonging to the national community”. This plan to strengthen the laws was to amend the government laws. Current rules require mandatory Portuguese speaking, no previous history of convicts in prison and mustn’t be a threat to national security. Other immigration regulations include tightening the issuance of residence permits to the relatives of immigrants and also punishing naturalised immigrants who commit serious crimes. Regarding family and relatives, the immigrants should bring only minor family members after staying two years in the country. The opposition Chega party had pushed for tougher immigration laws and made citizenship reform part of their campaign, and hence they were planning to implement the decree. Portugal's population of 10.5 million includes 1.5 million legal foreign residents according to the migration and asylum agency (AIMA). Brazilians make up 450,000 of the residents. Economic data aggregator Pordata statistics show 141,300 naturalised citizens in 2023, which decreased by 20 per cent from 2022. The government said that in January more than 400,000 applicants were pending. (“Portugal tightens citizenship rules, doubles residency requirement fr most foreigners,” Euronews, 24 June, 2025)
THE UK
National Security Strategy 2025: Aims to bolster security and reduce dependency
On 24 June, the National Security Strategy 2025: SecuriTe the British People in a Dangerous World document was released. As per the strategy, the UK must prepare for war as it is coming under direct threat in a wartime scenario. All 32 countries committed to five per cent defence spending, of which 3.5 per cent is on core military and the other 1.5 per cent on broader security expenditure. As per the strategy, the UK faced confrontation with those who threaten national security. The Cabinet Office Minister, Pat McFadden, said that the plan was clear-eyed and hard-edged about the challenges that they face. The strategy aimed to bolster border security, improve coordination with allies, and enhance AI, nuclear power, and shipbuilding. He also said that the government was planning to spend EUR one billion on a network of National biosecurity centres. It aims to reduce dependence on other countries that threaten with intimidation, espionage, sabotage, cyber-attacks and misinformation between generations, genders, and ethnic groups. He even mentioned clearly-eyed with their relationship with China and described China as a sophisticated and persistent threat, but the country's power was an inseparable fact. He said they would not compromise their national security and maintain good trade relations with a superpower. (Kate Whannel, “UK must prepare for war scenario, government warns BBC, 24 June 2025)
Climate Change Committee calls for more EV’s to achieve net zero by 2025
On 24 June, the independent Climate Change Committee said the government should reduce the cost of electricity bills as they were purchasing more electric vehicles. CCC chief executive, Emma Pinchbeck, said even though Gove made progress on clean energy, they should lower the cost of electricity to make more progress. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband responded by thanking the committee for advice and said they were committed to lowering the costs. The UK planned to achieve net zero by 2025; however, conservative leader Kemi Badenoch branded the “net zero” mission as “net stupid zero”, but Pinchbeck said it is achievable. Greenhouse gas emissions have reduced since 1990 by replacing fossil fuels with solar and wind energy. The CCC's head of net zero stated that the emissions from transport and buildings, the largest emitters from last year, had reduced, and an effective policy would lead to rapid change. The electricity heat pumps supply increased but still needed to tackle the electricity prices. Hence, the Energy Secretary said that the only way to tackle the issue was to achieve a clean energy superpower, and the government planned to remove the costs of older renewable energy projects. The Director of Policy, Adam Bell, said that it would take EUR 200 off the average household bill, but at the cost of about EUR 6 billion per year to the Exchequer. (Mark Poynting, “More people buying electric cars and heat pumps than ever before BBC, 24 June 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
Denmark launches satellite to monitor Greenland and the Arctic
On 24 June, High North News reported that a new satellite called Bifrost was launched to monitor Greenland and the Arctic. Bifrost is a microsatellite that weighs 50 kg with a wingspan of five meters. It was launched with a SpaceX rocket from Space Inventor, started 7 years ago. Since then, Terma, Gatehouse SatCom, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Sweden's Unibap Space Solutions have joined the project. Bifrost aimed to monitor the Danish Arctic waters around Greenland using sensors and AI that can detect radar signals from ships in the area. Space Inventor Karl Kaas hoped that Bifrost would be a precursor to many satellites. Currently, the Bifrost satellite can only monitor for 10 minutes and move for 300,000 kilometres per hour, and for 24-hour coverage, 20 more satellites need to be launched. It carries a range of sensors capable of capturing optical images and multispectral data in the infrared spectrum. With a constellation of 20 such satellites, Denmark and Sweden would be able to monitor Arctic maritime activity 24 hours a day. The satellite was launched into orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket - Transporter 14. This satellite was part of the government's Space Strategy for Research and Innovation 2025-2035. The strategy highlights the Arctic as a security policy priority where space-based technologies such as monitoring navigation of icy waters, search and rescue operations and enforcing sovereignty across the kingdom of Denmark. Beyond the Danish-made Swedish Defence Force's space-based surveillance, target identification, and real-time event reporting in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions, serving the purpose of AI-supported situational awareness and tactical observations. Sweden's capabilities to re-engage with European and international partnerships. The Danish Defence Minister says that Denmark is highly invested in the space sector, which has a lot of potential in the space defence system. (“ Space Inventor Launches First Danish Arctic Satellite, First Satellite Launched to Monitor Greenland and the Arctic,” Highnorthnews, Spacenews, 24 June 2025)
EU and Canada sign new trade and defence partnership
On 24 June, Euronews announced that the EU and Canada forged new trade and defence relations on digital trade and AI cooperation. They seemed to get close despite uncertainty in the NATO alliance and Washington's long-term policy. The decision was taken at the G7 Summit among European Council President, Antonio Costa, Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney and EU President Ursula von der Leyen. The outcomes of the summit were focused on crisis management, military mobility, maritime security, cyber and hybrid threats, defence industrial cooperation, counter terrorism, non-proliferation, disarmament, space policy, and support for Ukraine. According to the deal, Canada would send a representative to the EU and then decide on establishing an administrative relationship between Canada and the EU Defence Agency. This would make Canada accessible towards the EU's SAFE loan of EUR 150 billion. This relation would facilitate Canada and the EU to deliver the requirements of NATO from both sides with more efficiency. The trade relations between Canada and the EU have been fostered with the CETA free trade agreement since 2017. It made 98 per cent of tariffs from both sides zero. The two have launched negotiations on a Digital Trade Agreement. This aims to develop AI and establish interoperable digital identities. The first EU-Canada Digital Partnership was planned for next year. ( Alice Tidey & Romane Armangau & Peggy Corlin, “EU and Canada forge closer ties with new defence and trade partnership,” 24 June 2025)