Political appeals in the UK, climate commitments from Brussels, a diplomatic tragedy in Paris, a high-profile legal update, and European market movements marked Tuesday’s news cycle.
From Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s most forceful speech since his election to rising investor optimism despite global trade uncertainty, the day captured a blend of political, social, and financial developments.
Starmer appeals to working-class voters against Reform UK
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued a direct appeal to working-class voters, urging them to reject what he described as the “snake oil” of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
In his most passionate defence of his premiership since Labour’s landslide victory last year, Starmer emphasised unity and accused Reform of seeking only to create division.
Facing pressure both from Reform on the right and a new leftist party led by his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer asked voters for patience as his government takes “its first steps along the path to renew Britain.”
He also drew on his personal background, recalling how his late father felt demeaned for working a manual job, pledging to elevate technical education as a priority.
EU to set climate targets before COP30
The European Union will set emissions reduction targets for 2035 and 2040 in time for November’s COP30 climate summit in Brazil, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday.
The announcement followed the bloc’s failure to meet a deadline this month, a target achieved by other major economies, including China.
Von der Leyen urged pragmatism amid internal divisions but underscored the need for clarity.
“By staying the course, we provide stability for workers, clarity for businesses, and certainty for investors,” she said.
South Africa’s Ambassador to France found dead
South Africa’s ambassador to France, Nkosinathi Emmanuel “Nathi” Mthethwa, was found dead on Tuesday at the Hyatt Regency hotel in western Paris, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
His wife had reported him missing the previous evening after receiving a troubling message.
Mthethwa had booked a room on the 22nd floor, where a secured window was found forced open.
French authorities have launched an investigation but have not yet confirmed the cause of death.
South Africa’s foreign affairs department described him as “a distinguished servant of the nation” and called his death “a national loss.”
European stocks close higher
European equities ended Tuesday in positive territory as investors weighed the impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and the ongoing political stalemate in Washington.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 0.5%, with the FTSE 100, Germany’s DAX, and France’s CAC 40 all posting gains.
In corporate news, Danish jeweller Pandora saw its shares fall 2.6% after announcing the retirement of CEO Alexander Lacik, who will be succeeded by Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier, a former LVMH executive.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa dropped 7.1% after disclosing plans to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030.
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