Euractiv.com

France will freeze all funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for at least the first half of 2024 after Israel accused some of the organisation’s members of being involved in the 7 October Hamas terrorist attacks.

EU leaders are gearing up to push ahead with a €50 billion support package this week, with or without Hungary. But many in Brussels realise the step could come at a higher cost than money and time.

The German liberal FDP and social democrat SPD gathered on Sunday to pass their programmes for the upcoming EU election, as both parties try to mobilise voters against declining poll ratings. 

In this week's edition: Ukraine aid debate, Sweden's NATO path and more EU defence talk.

India is seeking to distance itself from its largest arms supplier after Russia's ability to supply munitions and spares was hobbled by the war in Ukraine, but must step carefully to avoid pushing Moscow closer to China, Indian sources said.

Intense fighting raged Saturday (27 January) in the Gaza city of Khan Yunis, sending Palestinians fleeing further south as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his vow to "eliminate Hamas".

Ukrainian defence officials and corporate leaders sought to steal about $40 million through a fraudulent arms procurement scheme, the country's main intelligence and security agency said Saturday (27 January).

The French government dropped plans to gradually reduce state subsidies on agricultural diesel but that seems not enough for angry farmers surrounding Paris and still threatening to converge on the capital in their tractors.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen will visit Italy again this weekend for an Italy-Africa summit, just a few weeks after her trip to flood-hit Forlì in Emilia-Romagna together with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The European Central Bank’s (ECB) decision to maintain interest rates at their record high levels on Thursday (26 January) has raised fears about its impact on Germany, as it shows increasing signs of weakness amid a manufacturing slump and declining business confidence.

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Friday (26 January) stepped up attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea, including a hit that sparked a fire on a fuel tanker operated on behalf of trading firm Trafigura.

Ukraine has invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in a planned "peace summit" of world leaders in Switzerland, a top diplomatic adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russia's invasion approaches its second anniversary.

The White House said Friday (26 January) it was "deeply troubled" by the first-ever execution in the United States using nitrogen gas, an untested method which also drew condemnation from the United Nations and the European Union.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Austria on Friday (26 January) to protest against right-wing extremism and racism, inspired by similar rallies in neighbouring Germany.

In a surprise U-turn, European Council President Charles Michel said on Friday (26 January) that he has decided to withdraw his EU elections candidacy and was planning to complete his mandate.

To defuse farmers' anger, the government announced on Friday (26 January) that it would step up controls and impose penalties on manufacturers and distributors who fail to comply with the national laws protecting farmers' incomes.

If you follow the EU’s, say, transport policy, there is one term you will hear over and over again: Technology neutrality.

Israel must take steps to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on Friday (26 January) but stopped short of ordering a ceasefire as requested by South Africa.

The European Commission is due to table a 90% climate target for 2040, according to a leaked draft, while a coalition of 11 EU countries including France and Germany have issued a letter calling for ambitious targets.

Let’s dive straight into a tour of the EU, dedicated to how the CAP and national policies support farmers coping with the damages caused by extreme weather events.