Ukraine Russia war latest news: Russia advances on Ukraine city while Kyiv’s Kursk push slows

SummaryAt a historic summit on Monday, Sir Keir Starmer will be pressured by EU leaders to enhance Britain's offers on youth mobility and fisheries to secure a deal. Key discussions with leaders like French President Macron and European Commission President von der Leyen may include concessions for UK touring artists and agrifood trade in exchange for better terms for EU students and extended fishing rights. While Starmer expresses optimism about reaching an agreement, he faces...

SummaryThe chief executive of the CBI and BusinessEurope's director-general urge EU and UK leaders to prioritize economic cooperation over political disputes ahead of their summit. They advocate for enhanced collaboration in energy, mobility, and trade to overcome the challenges posed by Brexit, emphasizing the need for agreements on carbon pricing and reducing trade barriers without altering existing political frameworks. The letter highlights the potential for mutual benefits in agriculture and services, calling for pragmatic leadership...

Nato is collaborating on a broad investigation into alleged bribery involving its officials, who reportedly exchanged classified military procurement information for financial incentives. Raids and detentions have occurred across Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and the US, as authorities seek to uncover potential irregularities in contract awards for military equipment. The probe, initiated by the Nato procurement office in Luxembourg, involves former employees of the Nato Support and Procurement Agency suspected of leaking confidential...

SummaryStellantis chair John Elkann and Renault CEO Luca de Meo have urged Europe to reevaluate its industrial strategy and reduce regulations to support car manufacturing amid competition from the Trump administration and Chinese automakers. Elkann criticized the EU's complex regulatory environment, which he believes hinders the profitability of small cars, while de Meo highlighted the need for a coherent strategy over frequent regulatory changes. Both leaders emphasized that a less burdensome legislative framework could facilitate...

Germany plans to increase its defense spending in response to US President Trump's call for NATO members to achieve a 5% GDP target, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz aims to transform the Bundeswehr into Europe’s strongest military. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul indicated that Berlin is considering a proposal from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, advocating for a 3.5% focus on hard military spending by 2032, supplemented by 1.5% for related expenses like infrastructure. Merz has committed to...

The EU has taken steps toward fining TikTok, concluding that the platform has violated regulations by not providing a searchable ad library for online advertising scrutiny. This provisional conclusion could lead to a fine of up to 6% of TikTok's global turnover, following an investigation initiated over a year ago by the European Commission. The Digital Services Act mandates such transparency to combat scams and disinformation, and TikTok faces multiple ongoing probes, including one related...