EU Council adopts defense industry programme to boost readiness

The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday formally adopted the European Defense Industry Programme, aiming to boost the EU's defense readiness.

The programme supports common procurement among member states, ramps up production capacity of critical defense products, and activities to increase interoperability and interchangeability, said the council, adding that it also supports Ukraine's defense industry through a dedicated instrument.

It will provide 1.5 billion euros in grants for the period 2025-2027, out of which 300 million euros are earmarked for Ukrainian support, according to the council.

The adoption marks the final step in the legislative procedure. The regulation will be signed on Dec 17 and enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, the council said.

EU Council adopts defense industry programme to boost readiness

EU Council adopts defense industry programme to boost readiness

EU Council adopts defense industry programme to boost readiness

EU Council adopts defense industry programme to boost readiness

A China Media Group (CMG) reporter helped evacuate Chinese nationals stranded at Dubai International Airport before it was damaged in an ''incident" early on Sunday morning.

The reporter, who went to the airport by car to investigate flight delays, met several stranded Chinese nationals at the airport who had been unable to leave on their scheduled flights as the Middle East conflict forced airlines to stall operations.

The Chinese passengers said after they arrived a little before 19:00, the check-in counter was closed, raising their concern that the airport might be taken over by the military.

"I was thinking of finding some chairs for the kids to sleep on before going back to ask what was going on. At first, the airport staff offered to help, but then some people who looked like soldiers came and told us to leave," said a Chinese passenger.

Footage from the reporter showed that the area outside the airport was almost deserted, with very few vehicles. Public transportation had been suspended early, and only police cars were parked on both sides of the road, with emergency staff signaling all civilian vehicles to leave immediately.

Dubai Airports confirmed that a concourse at Dubai International Airport later sustained minor damage in what it referred to as an “incident”. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and were managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities. Aviation sources told Reuters news agency that one of the terminals had been damaged during an overnight Iranian attack.

The Dubai Media Office said that four staff members sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.

CMG reporter helps evacuate Chinese nationals from Dubai airport