Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at Canada’s future with the European Union, a war crimes conviction against former Kosovar President Hashim Thaci, and alleged Houthi targeting of the holy city of Mecca.

The EU Looks Across the Pond

Could the European Union expand beyond Europe? Some experts argue that being part of the continent is an integral component of membership. But that is the proposal European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated on Wednesday, when she suggested making Canada the bloc’s first associate member.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at Canada’s future with the European Union, a war crimes conviction against former Kosovar President Hashim Thaci, and alleged Houthi targeting of the holy city of Mecca.

The EU Looks Across the Pond

Could the European Union expand beyond Europe? Some experts argue that being part of the continent is an integral component of membership. But that is the proposal European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen floated on Wednesday, when she suggested making Canada the bloc’s first associate member.

“We must urgently reimagine our partnerships,” von der Leyen said in her annual State of the European Union address. With Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney seated on her left, von der Leyen outlined what such a future might look like, starting with an expansion of their existing free-trade agreement.

Carney has been pitching such an arrangement to European officials for months. A Canadian official told The Associated Press last week that the two sides are discussing potential ties that stop just short of full membership. This could include allowing Canadian citizens to live and work in EU member states without needing a visa. An expanded partnership might also bolster collaboration in defense production, critical minerals procurement, economic security, and the development of artificial intelligence, among others.

Canada wants “to get as close as we possibly can” to the bloc, Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s ambassador-designate to the EU, said on Wednesday, adding that further........

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