Latest News
- Ukraine claims to capture Russian positions using unmanned systems for the first time
- Germany overtakes UK as largest European defence investor, spending €97 billion
- Young Cyclist Killed in Collision with Lorry on London Road | News UK
- French teenager charged with public nuisance in Singapore after vending machine stunt
- Hungarian Prime Minister-elect confirms EU funds could be released soon
- France identifies woman murdered over 20 years ago, arrest made in case
- Italy files as civil party in Swiss fire case that killed 41 people
- Europa League — Thursday’s 30th Apr fixtures
EU
European defence spending surged by 14% in 2025, totalling €739 billion, with Germany becoming the largest investor after increasing its budget by 24% to €97 billion. This rise comes amid US pressure for NATO members to meet 5% GDP targets by 2035, marking the highest growth since the 1950s.
Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar indicated that EU funds could soon be released to Hungary following productive talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Their discussions addressed unlocking billions in frozen funding, necessary for economic support, amid a looming August deadline.
As EU countries debate the European Commission’s proposal, China is urging national governments to abandon the planned law. Beijing has warned that failure to comply will lead to countermeasures, highlighting escalating tensions between the EU and China over regulatory standards.
French liberal MEP Christophe Grudler, set to lead negotiations on the “Made in Europe” law, has expressed concerns about the European Commission’s proposed strategy, stating it unfairly includes too many non-EU countries in its scope to counter foreign competition within the EU market.
MEPs Dirk Gotink and Maria Ohisalo confronted each other in The Ring, broadcast from the European Parliament in Brussels, discussing the escalating housing crisis in Europe. Their debate addressed critical policy implications and potential solutions to the pressing issue affecting citizens across the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy firmly rejected the notion of partial EU membership during discussions at an informal summit in Cyprus, asserting that Ukraine deserves full membership. Following the unblocking of a €90 billion loan and new sanctions against Russia, focus shifts to Hungary’s ongoing veto of Ukraine’s EU accession.
Scandinavian Airlines has cancelled around 1,000 flights, while Lufthansa has eliminated 20,000 routes amid soaring jet fuel prices, attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The European Commission contends these cancellations stem from airline profitability issues, not fuel shortages.
EU DEVELOPMENTS
This morning, Europe addresses economic strategies amid rising geopolitical tensions
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has unveiled a new military strategy for the Bundeswehr aimed at enhancing operational readiness in response to evolving threats, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Key elements include a focus on capabilities over numbers and increased emphasis on “deep strike” capabilities, such as long-range precision weapons.
© 2026 WTX News.