Europe

Ukrainian authorities report a surge in fake websites and social media accounts created by Russian intelligence services, impersonating government agencies and officials. These resources, identified by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), aim to disseminate disinformation and collect personal data to destabilise Ukraine’s political landscape.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is deliberating on calling an early general election after Congress rejected his government’s housing measures aimed at protecting vulnerable tenants. Following recent protests over the housing crisis, Sánchez is consulting PSOE leaders, with some advocating for a vote as soon as 29 November.

The EU is set to revisit its €68 billion Association Agreement with Israel after its External Action Service found indications that Israel breached core human rights obligations, particularly through Gaza-related measures, including humanitarian blockades, strikes on hospitals, and forced displacement.

The EU has been focused on NATO’s defence spending, with members agreeing to up spending to 5% of GDP (except Spain). European leaders are preparing to deal with Donald Trump again at the NATO summit, after several EU members called for retaliatory tariffs on the USA.

The war in the Middle East and Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine have also made up a lot of this week’s European headlines. Kyiv has suffered another heavy bombing, and there have been reports that the EU is considering suspending its partnership with Israel over its genocide in Gaza.

The EU and Canada have strengthened their ties with a new partnership and talks of digital trade and deeper cooperation on AI. The EU-Canada summit comes just before NATO.

The continent (including the UK) has experienced a lovely heatwave last week, and whilst it may have ended for the UK, much of the rest of Europe is still basking in the sun – get out and see our incredible continent and all it has to offer, as the summer break begins for some – and is creeping close for the rest of us!

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