The European Commission is showing signs of losing patience with Bulgaria, which has dragged its feet for more than two years in adopting reforms to continue payments under the Recovery and Sustainability Plan.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD/NI) lashed out at major media outlets at a press conference on Tuesday, accusing them of undermining his government and hinting at new possible measures against them, including creating a national media authority.

As Czechia recovers from years of high inflation, newly appointed Industry and Trade Minister Lukáš Vlček has presented an ambitious economic strategy to become one of the EU's top 10 economies in terms of GDP per capita by 2040.

Polish MEPs from the Civic Coalition (KO, EPP) alliance pushed for an earlier review of the 2035 ban on new combustion car selling, a proposal put forward by Italy.

One rainy evening last November, I lit a candle in memory of the assassinated Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnirová at their Memorial in Bratislava. It was very cold and windy, but our small delegation from the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) was determined to pay their respects to these two young people, murdered because one of them was not afraid to hold power to account.

"Georgian people have the right to choose their own political future,” according to EU leaders.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro on Tuesday reiterated his government’s goal of strengthening the country's consular network and, along with Brazil, making Portuguese an official language of the United Nations.

Norway will raise its threat level from moderate to high, namely because of the intensification of threats against Jewish and Israeli targets in the country, the Norwegian Police Security Service said on Tuesday.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has hailed the drop in asylum applications as proof that the country’s tough measures are working, with figures for 2024 showing a 23% drop from the previous year.

Italian Prime Minister and European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) leader Giorgia Meloni appears to be looking to unite the right-wing European People's Party (EPP) group and the new far-right Orban-led Patriots for Europe group, as both have been invited to a three-day convention in Dubrovnik.

Amid an apparent rightward shift on migration, EU ministers are meeting to talk new migration deals and how to make the return of irregular migrants more efficient.

Slovakia has lost a Court of Justice ruling over continuous late payments to public hospitals. The state-owned health insurance company is facing serious financial struggles as healthcare budget troubles mount.

The European Union is bolstering its strategic partnership with Kazakhstan, aiming to enhance cooperation in energy, critical materials, connectivity, and agriculture.

The European Union and India have concluded the ninth round of talks on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA). Although divergences on key issues remain, an FTA is in the interest of both sides.

Almost three-quarters of Kazakhstan voters said “yes” in a nationwide referendum held on 6 October, which asked citizens if they agreed with the construction of a nuclear power plant.

For its proponents, the lesser-known nuclear process – fusion - could bring a new era of clean and secure energy to Europe. For its detractors, it’s an expensive distraction.

Steel for Packaging Europe has outlined its industry priorities for the 2024-2029 term. The industry association aims to put circularity at the heart of Europe’s economy while promoting recycling rates for steel.

Novo Nordisk is to launch another Ozempic-like drug in France, but the country's drug safety agency is eager for it to only be used as a second-line treatment.

"While European industry has technological excellence in many aspects, Chinese car manufacturers enjoy technological advantages on batteries, software, infotainment systems and development time," EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said.

The planes would complement US-made F-16s already received by Ukraine.