Time for a new Franco-German engine, but let’s make it hybrid
Est. 6minThe Franco-German engine needs an overhaul to adapt to the realities of today’s Europe. These two very different sources of power can still move Europe forward – but they need to be better coordinated, write Mathieu Droin and Gesine Weber.
G7 ministers move closer to Russian assets deal to help Ukraine
Est. 4minG7 finance ministers are expected Saturday (25 May) to agree a broad plan to use interest from frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, paving the way for a potential agreement among leaders next month.
Zelenskyy says Ukrainian forces now control area where Russia pushed into Kharkiv region
Est. 2minPresident Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (24 May) that Ukrainian forces had secured "combat control" of areas where Russian troops staged an incursion this month in northern parts of Kharkiv region.
World Court orders Israel to halt its offensive in Rafah
Est. 3minThe International Court of Justice (ICJ), ordered Israel on Friday (24 May) to halt its offensive in Rafah, marking a landmark emergency ruling on a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in its assault on the Gaza Strip.
Latvia’s European elections race too close to call
Est. 5minLatvia's conservative-nationalist party Nacionālā Apvienība (ECR) is leading the polls ahead of the European elections, beating even the ruling coalition Jaunā Vienotība (EPP), but with 16 lists currently vying for at least one of Latvia's nine seats, the results are too close to predict.
Agrifood Special CAPitals Brief: the rules against unfair trade practices
Est. 11minOur tour of the EU this time focuses on unfair trade practices (UTPs) in the food supply chain, such as late payments or sales below production costs.
German conservatives make internal combustion engines an election issue
Est. 3minGerman conservative parties CDU and CSU (EPP) have launched a campaign against the de-facto ban of new combustion engine cars as of 2035, an issue the party says is critical for the EU election.
Austrian farm minister pushes for quick adoption of proposal to lower wolf’s protection status
Est. 4minAustrian diplomats will present a note pushing for quick adoption of the proposal to lower the protection status of wolves at a Council meeting on Monday (27 May) but EU countries are split on the issue, with a group of capitals calling for more data on the level of threat posed by the species.
The Brief – What about LGBTIQ+ rights, Ursula?
Est. 6minAfter the second EU election debate, everyone talked about von der Leyen leaving the door wide open to Giorgia Meloni’s hard-right Fratelli d’Italia. But does the Commission president also tolerate the party’s questionable stance on LGBTIQ+? Her answer was decidedly ... evasive.
How political feuds overshadowed EU election for the Austrian Greens
Est. 4minAustria's Greens have been contending with attacks against their lead candidate Lena Schilling, based on leaked chats and statements from former friends and allies, which the party says are orchestrated by left-wing rivals.
EU countries fail again to find agreement on gene edited plants patents
Est. 2minDespite the presentation of a new compromise text from the Belgian presidency, national experts could not find an agreement to unblock one of the agrifood unfinished dossier of the legislature.
Details revealed of EU Parliament data breach, new European Tech Deal proposed
Est. 13minWelcome to Euractiv’s Tech Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU.
EU election debates show it will be national governments calling the shots
Est. 9minTwo weeks ahead of the European elections, the main EU parties' lead candidates for the next European Commission president met twice this week to discuss their key priorities, with economy featuring prominently - and blurring party lines.
Commission suggests incentives to reduce dependency on protein in animal feed
Est. 5minEU specific support to oilseeds production and a joint public-private effort in research are key elements to increase the supply of EU-made proteins for animal feed, the bloc's executive recommended in a study published today (24 May).
Sources: Putin wants Ukraine ceasefire on current frontlines
Est. 9minRussian President Vladimir Putin is ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognises the current battlefield lines, four Russian sources told Reuters, saying he is prepared to fight on if Kyiv and the West do not respond.
ICC tribunal bans Gazprom from placing gas dispute at Russian court
Est. 2minAn International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal has prohibited Russia's Gazprom from continuing with Russian legal proceedings against CEZ, the Czech energy company said.
The AI Convention on Human Rights: Worth the hype?
The Council of Europe, the bloc's human rights body, adopted its first framework convention on artificial intelligence (AI, democracy and the rule of law on 17 May.
Putin in Belarus to discuss security, tactical nuclear weapon exercises
Est. 3minRussian President Vladimir Putin arrived on Thursday (23 May) in Belarus, Moscow's vassal state, for talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko expected to focus on security and exercises with tactical nuclear weapons.
Climate change spurs early blooms in Bulgaria’s historic rose industry
Est. 3minBulgarian farmers were busy harvesting rose petals for their renowned oil this week, about a month earlier than the historical norm due to climate change that has ushered in warmer and more humid springs.
EU elections: Two scenarios for the Day After
Est. 6minTwo scenarios - the rise of the hard right and the return to core EU values - depict contrasting futures for the EU in a year when half the world’s electorate goes to the polls, writes Michael Leigh.
Russian spy chief says Ukraine was directly involved in Moscow concert hall attack
Est. 2minUkrainian military intelligence was directly involved in a deadly attack on a concert hall near Moscow in which over 140 people were killed, the head of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov said, TASS reported on Friday (24 May).
Italian activist and MEP candidate on trial in Hungary assault case
Est. 4minAn Italian anti-fascist activist accused of attacking alleged neo-Nazis in Hungary is to go on trial in a Budapest court on Friday (24 May), in a case that has sparked tensions between Rome and Budapest.
World Court to rule on request to halt Israel’s Rafah offensive
Est. 3minJudges at the UN's top court will rule on Friday (24 May) on South Africa's request to order Israel to halt its Rafah offensive and withdraw from Gaza, part of a wider case accusing Israel of genocide.
France’s PM denounces in TV debate far-right’s ‘moral contract’ with Moscow
Est. 6minIn today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Spanish right's top EU candidate avoiding to comment on possible bloc alliance with far-right, journalists urging Brussels to safeguard Italy's media freedom, and so much more.