FirstUp: EU panel to visit India, nationwide shutdown in France... today's top headlines

It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, the European Union (EU)’s Political and Security Committee (PSC) will make its maiden visit to India. A nationwide shutdown will take place in France today.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her annual State of the Union (SOTEU) address today. Nasa will host a media teleconference today to share the details of the findings of the new Perseverance Mars rover. India will face the United Arab Emirates today in the second match of the Asia Cup tournament.

EU panel on 1st visit to India

The European Union (EU)’s Political and Security Committee (PSC) will make its maiden visit to India today. The committee which comprises of ambassadors of the 27 members of the bloc will hold discussions aimed at deepening strategic cooperation ahead of the India-EU Summit next year.

As a key body for the EU’s common foreign, security, and defence policies, the PSC provides advice to the European Council. This trip is a direct follow-up to the visit of the College of Commissioners, led by President Ursula von der Leyen, to India in February.

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Nationwide shutdown in France

A nationwide shutdown is set to take place in France today. The Bloquons Tout movement has planned to go ahead with the protests even after the collapse of Francois Bayrou's government. Now, the organisers will not just target Bayrou’s budget but also President Emmanuel Macron himself, reported news website Monaco Life.

A ‘massive’ security operation is underway for the protests, with the Interior Ministry deploying 80,000 police officers, gendarmes, and armoured Centaur vehicles. The force, also supported by helicopters, drones, and water cannons, is part of what one senator called an ‘unprecedented mobilisation’ to prevent unrest during the ‘Bloquons Tout’ movement.

Ursula von der Leyen’s annual ‘State of the Union’ address

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her annual State of the Union (SOTEU) address to Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.

In her annual speech, the President of the European Commission will present the main priorities and directions of the Union’s action in the coming period and reflect on the results of the Commission’s first year in office. Enlargement and the Western Balkans will feature prominently in the address.

Nasa to share details of new Perseverance Mars rover finding

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) is set to host a media teleconference today to discuss the analysis of a rock sampled by the agency’s Perseverance Mars rover last year.

The sample, called “Sapphire Canyon,” was collected in July 2024 from a set of rocky outcrops on the edges of Neretva Vallis, a river valley carved by water rushing into Jezero Crater long ago.

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Since landing in the Red Planet’s Jezero Crater in February 2021, Perseverance has collected 30 samples. According to the official statement, the rover still has six empty sample tubes to fill, and it continues to collect detailed information about geologic targets that it hasn’t sampled by using its abrasion tool.

India vs UAE at Asia Cup 2025

India is set to clash with the UAE team today at the second match of the Asia Cup 2025. This will be India’s first match at the tournament.

With this, India is entering the tournament under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav and features a squad without veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The match will be played in the T20 format at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Asia Cup serves as a lead-up to the T20 World Cup next year.