- 6d ago
EU approves €6.1 billion military aid tranche for Ukrainian air defence
The European Commission approved 6.1 billion euros in military loans on Ukraine's Independence Day, funding air defence systems, ammunition, and radars.
- Aug 23
Former Estonian Prime Minister and EU Commissioner Siim Kallas dies at 77
Former Estonian prime minister, central bank governor, and European Commission vice president Siim Kallas has died at 77, following a three-decade career in Tallinn and Brussels.
- Aug 23
Lower Saxony premier Olaf Lies urges EU tariffs on Chinese hybrid cars
Lower Saxony Minister-President Olaf Lies has written to European and German leaders seeking import duties on Chinese plug-in hybrids, warning of a 70% export increase and market distortion.
- Aug 7
Colombia shifts to recovery after magnitude 7.4 earthquake kills at least 289
One week after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, emergency teams are ending active survivor searches as the confirmed death toll reaches 289 and over 26,000 homes lie destroyed.
- Aug 4
Ceuta migrant surge: 50,000 cross from Morocco, 72 dead, EU split over Schengen suspension
A mass crossing of 50,000 to 60,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week left at least 72 dead, mostly drowned, and triggered a political crisis as 22 EU states demanded Spain's suspension from the Schengen zone.
- Aug 3
Ceuta border crisis exposes EU migration pact flaws as 60,000 attempt crossing, at least 72 dead
A mass attempt by 60,000 people to enter the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco left at least 72 dead and exposed deep divisions over migration policy, as EU interior ministers held an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
- Aug 2
EU split over migration after 60,000 cross into Ceuta; 22 leaders demand border crackdown
After 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, 22 EU leaders signed a letter calling for stronger external borders, while Spain accused some partners of 'selfish' reactions and Italy suspended Schengen rules.
- Jul 30
EU opens bidding for seven AI gigafactories backed by €30 billion in public and private funds
The European Union launched a call for consortia to build up to seven AI gigafactories, combining 10 billion euros in EU and national funds with at least 20 billion euros in private investment to close the gap with the US and China.
- Jul 30
Spain readies €165 million Ceuta aid package as opposition mounts offensive
The Spanish cabinet will approve €165 million in emergency relief for Ceuta on Tuesday, while Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez prepares to address Congress after weeks of political disputes over intelligence and border management.
- Jul 25
Wildfires Force 270,000 Evacuations in France and Spain; Bordeaux Airport Closed, NASA Center Evacuated
Massive wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain have forced over 270,000 people to evacuate, with Bordeaux's airport closed and a NASA deep-space communications center threatened near Madrid.
- Jul 25
Greece dispatches two Canadair water bombers to Spain, EU mobilises rescEU fleet against devastating wildfires
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed the deployment of two Canadair CL-415 water bombers to Madrid on Saturday, as the EU's rescEU fleet rushed additional aircraft to battle out-of-control blazes in Spain and France.
- Jul 25
From Romanian stage, Viktor Orbán blasts Hungary's TISZA government and says EU won't exist in current form by 2051
Speaking at a summer university in Romania, the former Hungarian prime minister accused the TISZA government of authoritarian abuses, comparing Hungary to Venezuela. He predicted that the European Union in its current form will be gone within 25 years.
- Jul 24
EU adopts 21st Russia sanctions package, freezing oil cap at $44 and granting Greek LNG shipping exception
EU ambassadors agreed on the 21st sanctions package against Russia on 23 July, freezing the oil price cap at $44 per barrel and granting Greece a one-year exception for LNG shipments to non-EU countries.
- Jul 24
EU clinches 21st Russia sanctions deal after Greece wins one-year exemption for LNG tankers
EU ambassadors overcame months of deadlock on Thursday morning, agreeing to a 21st sanctions package after Greece secured a one-year exemption for its LNG tankers carrying Russian gas to non-EU countries.
- Jul 23
EU adopts 21st sanctions package against Russia, targeting banks, shadow fleet and oil price cap
The package extends the $44/barrel oil price cap, blacklists 32 more banks, and for the first time targets vessels aiding Russia's shadow fleet, while a last-minute Greek LNG exemption unlocked the deal.
- Jul 23
EU approves 21st sanctions package against Russia, freezes oil price cap at $44.10 after Greek shipping exemption
After weeks of wrangling, EU ambassadors agreed to freeze the oil price cap at $44.10 per barrel for 12 months, add 32 Russian banks to the transaction ban, and target the shadow fleet, but watered down LNG transport restrictions to satisfy Athens.
- Jul 22
France becomes first European country to ban social media for children under 15
The French parliament adopted a law on Tuesday prohibiting minors under 15 from using social networks, with the ban taking effect in September for new accounts and January for existing ones.
- Jul 21
Germany seeks more Azerbaijani gas and oil as Merz and Aliyev sign strategic pact, while Baku backchannel surfaces
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed in Berlin to deepen energy ties, with Germany seeking more gas and oil while Aliyev demanded new pipelines and investment. The meeting also surfaced a secret backchannel between former German and Russian officials in Baku.
- Jul 17
EU Commission slows ETS cap reduction to 1.7% after 2036 and extends free CO2 allowances to 2038
The European Commission proposed slowing the pace of emission cap reductions in the EU carbon market after 2030 and extending free allowances for CBAM sectors until 2038, drawing sharp criticism from both industry-aligned MEPs and Green lawmakers.
- Jul 16
EU and Ukraine sign joint drone manufacturing pact; Zelenskiy says output will double to 20 million per year
The accord, signed during Ukraine's independence celebrations, aims to marry Kyiv's combat-proven drone know-how with Europe's industrial scale, starting with joint production by year-end and anti-ballistic missiles by 2028.
