Σάββατο 17 Οκτωβρίου 2026
10 άρθρα
Who backs Ukraine’s next €70 billion?
Ukraine wants at least €70 billion more from Europe for 2027, on top of an existing €90 billion loan covering 2026 and 2027. EU leaders approved no new money at their October summit and asked the Commission for a proposal. A further loan would need governments to bear the repayment risk; Belgium still opposes using frozen Russian assets without shared guarantees.
Paris and Berlin trade engines for subsidies
France and Germany have agreed on a joint position that would let carmakers sell more petrol and hybrid cars after 2035 while favouring European-made vehicles for public support. Their plan keeps a 90% emissions-cut target but would drop the proposed duty to offset the remaining emissions. The crucial accounting and origin rules remain unpublished, and EU lawmakers must still agree.
EU regrets US opening for Russian diesel
A US licence permits Russian diesel sales, including imports into America, through 7 April 2027. EU leaders have put a joint objection on record despite disagreements over fuel costs. Their statement changes no sanctions: Russian diesel remains barred from the EU, European shipping and insurance remain subject to price caps, and no completed US purchase has been reported.
EU drops warning over Spain’s migrant permits
EU leaders left a proposed warning about irregular arrivals out of their 16 October conclusions after Italy, Denmark and Poland pressed for it. Their concern is that Spain’s regularisation could affect other countries in the passport-free Schengen area. Spain retains control over its permits, which do not grant a right to work elsewhere, and no evidence cited so far shows they have prompted onward movement.
Bulgaria seeks NATO cover after drone strikes
Drone strikes on merchant ships have pushed Bulgaria to ask NATO for fighters, air defences and a presence at sea. Its own F-16s are not yet on combat duty, and allies will discuss the request next week. The ship hit nearest Bulgaria was beyond its territorial waters, leaving a crucial question: who would protect vessels offshore?
Black Sea attacks leave ships unescorted
Merchant crews sailing toward Ukraine’s ports and the Danube have no announced allied escort despite a series of ship losses and fires off Bulgaria and Romania. Bulgaria has documented drone strikes on four vessels; the cause of the Romanian tanker fires remains disputed. NATO and EU leaders condemned the attacks, but neither announced an operation to protect the traffic.
Flanders records 14 local West Nile cases
West Nile virus is now reaching people through mosquito bites in Belgium. Flanders reported 14 confirmed cases and two deaths on 15 October, after the virus was found in wild birds last year. Bird and horse outbreaks across 18 of Belgium’s 44 statistical regions show where infected mosquitoes have been active; surveillance will track whether transmission returns next summer.
Romania’s deficit shrinks, September runs higher
Romania’s cash deficit fell by 23.95 billion lei in the first nine months of 2026 as receipts grew faster than spending. Higher VAT revenue and a smaller public payroll helped, but September’s shortfall exceeded the same month last year. The EU’s accounting measure still shows a large gap, leaving Romania’s path toward its 2030 correction deadline open.
Turkey contests Cyprus survey and Greek drill notices
Turkey has issued rival maritime warnings for a data-cable survey near Cyprus and a Greek naval drill, asserting a seabed claim in one notice and broadcast authority in both. Neither notice orders a ship away or concerns the EU-backed power cable. That project awaits a Greek vessel exemption and a Cypriot survey notice before its next steps become clear.
EU panel backs Foundayo amid stomach trade-off
Foundayo could make daily treatment easier: Lilly’s pill can be taken with or without food, and trials showed meaningful weight loss and better blood-sugar control. Stomach problems were more common than with oral semaglutide at diabetes doses. The European Commission must still authorise the drug; national decisions on price and reimbursement will determine access.