A group of Europe's leading chocolate makers — including Nestlé, Mars and Ferrero — have condemned the EU Commission’s plans to delay the bloc’s landmark anti-deforestation law by another year, warning that it would lead to more deforestation. 

"We do not represent the families of the hostages. We represent the State of Israel," the ambassador coldly replied, only to then complain that our resolution supported international law and the work of the International Criminal Court to prosecute war criminals on all sides, recalls the then MENA advisor to Renew Europe.

The EU has frozen talks on Israel sanctions due to a US ceasefire plan, as the daily "nightmare" of Israeli military operations in Gaza enters its third year. 

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.