EU

France and Germany announced the abandonment of their Future Combat Air System (FCAS) joint fighter jet programme due to unresolved disagreements between companies involved. This setback hinders European defence cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions, although development of the Combat Cloud digital network will proceed.

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During the EU-Western Balkans summit, momentum for EU enlargement was underscored by Hungary’s decision to lift its veto on Ukraine’s accession negotiations. António Costa noted that upcoming talks will showcase renewed European unity, particularly ahead of the June summit, despite ongoing challenges in the accession process.

US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Pudzer has stated that President Trump remains deeply dissatisfied with European nations over their refusal to assist during the Iran conflict. The US expects European allies to permit access to military bases, prompting questions about transatlantic reliability and damaging relations further.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has accused Ukraine of being a neo-Nazi state – with President Volodymyr Zelensky and his government often targeted as sympathisers. A video by a German “whistleblower” now accuses the Ukrainian president of buying a former Nazi holiday home that belonged to Hitler’s propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. In this episode of Truth or Fake, Vedika Bahl explains how this claim has been fabricated.

New year, new face.France’s youngest-ever president naming the country’s youngest-ever prime minister. We willl ask why Emmanuel Macron chose to replace Elisabeth Borne with Gabriel Attal and chart the meteoric rise of a 34-year old Parisian who has already enjoyed stints as city councilor, party spokesperson, budget minister, government spokesperson and most recently education minister.

When some French schools reopen in September this year, they will pilot a mandatory school uniform under a two-year trial period initiated by Education Minister Gabriel Attal. The initiative aims to tackle inequality among French students and reduce bullying and peer pressure. But some public school teachers, psychologists and experts remain sceptical, saying the uniforms are just putting a “plaster” on such issues. 

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday praised former finance minister and European Commission president Jacques Delors at a state funeral, saying he had “reconciled Europe with its future”. FRANCE 24’s Catherine Norris-Trent reports.

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