About this Episode
The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed on a draft proposal to extend their ceasefire by 60 days. According to reports, the plan still requires approval from US president Donald Trump. The development follows new military exchanges between the two countries. Iran targeted a US airbase in Kuwait after American retaliation strikes. Talks are continuing on Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and shipping routes in the Gulf. Oil prices fell following reports that the truce could be extended.
Meanwhile, several European Union member states are pushing back against planned reforms to the bloc’s carbon market. Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Poland, Romania and Slovakia warned that reductions in free emissions allowances could damage heavy industry. The European Commission wants to scale back free pollution permits by 2030 as part of efforts to accelerate emissions reductions. Countries opposing the changes argue that sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals cannot decarbonise as quickly as expected because affordable technologies are not yet widely available. Italy and Austria also called for greater flexibility. European commissioner Stéphane Séjourné said the system could still be adjusted.
France will become the first European country to reimburse weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro through its public health system from 15 June. The programme will permanently cover these treatments, reimbursing 65 percent of costs. Most patients are expected to receive full coverage because of related health conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure. The injections currently cost around 300 euros per month, while about 18 percent of the French population is classified as obese.
