There was little surprise when the Lobito Corridor project was the first example cited by EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at the start of the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels on Thursday.

Privately, most international observers are more grim about Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan — and for all their hope, they still expect the plan to collapse.  But the recent ceasefire itself has demonstrated that peace plans driven by external powers can be effective when backed by carrots and sticks.

After more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas, all remaining living hostages have been released, a ceasefire has taken hold, and world leaders are gathering in Egypt to talk peace, but only one side of the conflict will be there. So, what kind of peace can be built without Hamas at the table?

EU states are struggling with upcoming border rules that critics say could led to detention-like centres. Under the new regime authorities will have only seven days to screen a prospective asylum seeker.

Today, we kick off an anniversary campaign to convince new supporting members to join EUobserver's mission of providing the information citizens need to safeguard EU democracy.

Russian spies are still active in the EU capital and have a "higher risk appetite" than before the Ukraine war — despite Belgium's efforts to push back against their plots.