Hungary Close to Meeting EU Conditions to Unlock 10 Billion Euros
The European Union froze about 10 billion euros in recovery funds meant for Hungary because of concerns about rule of law, such as the independence of courts.
#European Union
Germany open to EU sanctions on Israel as Commission also demands settlement plan be scrapped
The European Commission has joined other countries in telling Israel to cancel a plan to build settlements east of Jerusalem, which would split the West Bank in two.
World ✳
UK Drafts Ban on Trade with Israeli Settlements After West Bank Building Plan Advances
Israel has opened bidding for more than 1,200 homes for Israeli settlers in a West Bank area called E1.
Apple cuts and simplifies EU app fees, but Epic says it's not enough
Apple has changed how it charges app developers in the European Union, simplifying its fee structure and lowering some rates, starting October 2026.
German lawmakers from all major parties want EU to sanction Israeli minister
Politicians across Germany's political spectrum, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives, the AfD and the Left party, are calling for the EU to sanction Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir over his remarks about killing people in Gaza.
Czechia ✳
Uber and Chinese firm Pony.ai to launch 2,000 driverless taxis in Europe
Uber and Chinese company Pony.ai plan to put more than 2,000 self-driving taxis on European roads, with a similar push planned for the Middle East.
EU Weighs New Tax Rules That Would Cover Vapes for the First Time
The European Commission wants to update the EU's tobacco tax rules for the first time in ten years, raising cigarette taxes and taxing vapes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches across the EU for the first time.
EU lets countries skip deficit rules for energy spending too, through 2028
The European Union limits how much extra debt member countries can take on each year.
Latvia asks the EU for €7 billion to help cover its war costs
Latvia's prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, has asked the European Union for 7 billion euros to help cover costs from Russia's war against Ukraine, saying countries near Russia carry too much of that burden.
Analysis ✳
Four countries call very different military plans "deterrence"
In one week, four governments used the word "deterrence" for four unrelated plans: a Saudi Arabia-Pakistan-Turkey defense pact backed by Pakistan's nuclear weapons, a NATO drone-and-sensor network in the Baltic states, European weapons-repair lines set up inside Ukraine as a model for future conflicts, and a North Korean threat of stronger nuclear measures against US-South Korea military drills.
Trump puts new tariffs on drones, but EU and UK pay much less
US President Donald Trump has placed steep new import taxes on drones and drone parts, saying he wants to rebuild American drone manufacturing, which the White House calls key to modern warfare.
EU asks countries to send Ukraine Patriot missile defenses, but can't force it
Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, and the European Commission are asking EU countries to voluntarily give Ukraine some of their Patriot air-defense systems, which shoot down incoming missiles.