At the beginning of 2026, Bulgaria joined the Eurozone. It is a historic shift that comes at a moment of deep polarisation in the country and mass anti-corruption protests. They culminated in the resignation of its government and its president. FRANCE 24’s Elitsa Gadeva and Juliette Prudhomme were on the ground during that first week […]
Continue ReadingPortugal was hit hard by a particularly violent storm that has left a trail of destruction and at least 4 dead across Portugal on January 28. Lisbon and the centre of the country were hardest hit. All services remained suspended on several lines, several schools remained closed and almost 450,000 customers were still without power […]
Continue ReadingCzechia will go ahead with the purchase of 24 American F-35 fighter jets but is seeking to improve the conditions of the deal, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Thursday. “We will definitely want to work on this and improve the contract, because the project is at such a stage that it must continue,” Babiš […]
Continue ReadingRussia received 38 soldiers’ bodies in exchange as part of an agreement between the warring countries.
Continue ReadingThe European Commission has presented a new five-year strategy on migration. It will help guide future EU work on asylum and migration with concrete priorities, notably sustaining the reduction in illegal arrivals, while at the same time encouraging legal pathways to the EU. Both are needed for the migration and asylum system to work […]
Continue ReadingToday, the European Commission and KfW, the German development bank, announced the signature of a guarantee agreement worth up to €135 million to expand access to finance through alternative channels for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood, North Africa and the Middle East, and Türkiye. Supported by the European Fund […]
Continue ReadingThe European Commission, together with the European Investment Bank, has today provided an additional €50 million to Ukraine’s state-owned energy company, Naftogaz. It will support the country’s energy system amidst the harshest winter conditions since the start of the war. In the face of ongoing Russian attacks targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and sharply dropping temperatures, […]
Continue ReadingOn 22 and 23 January, Justice and Interior Ministers from EU Member States and Schengen Associated Countries gathered in Nicosia, Cyprus, for an informal Justice and Home Affairs Council session. On 22 January, Commissioner Magnus Brunner represented the European Commission, addressing EU Home Affairs issues. Discussions centred on sustainable approaches to returns and reintegration, steered […]
Continue ReadingThe European Commission is announcing €153 million in emergency aid to Ukraine and refugee-hosting Moldova, as millions Ukrainians face freezing temperatures without power under sustained Russian bombardment of energy infrastructure. Responding to the urgent needs, the EU is allocating an initial €145 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine to provide protection assistance, shelter, food, cash […]
Continue ReadingIf you are planning a trip to Europe, you may have heard about two new EU border management systems: the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Both systems modernise and digitalise the EU borders border checks, but they affect travellers in different ways. Here is a simple explanation what […]
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