CAVOK

Countries including France are said to want to tie a new post-Brexit security deal to more beneficial access to British waters, potentially holding up military cooperation.

In short:

Three European nations have asked the Trump administration for their unspent USAID contributions to be refunded.

Sweden, Norway and the Netherlands had been partnering with USAID on a project called Water and Energy for Food, or WE4F.

What's next?

The nations have asked for an explanation from the US government on whether the funds will be spent, or if they can be refunded.

Wood is a precious raw material. In Sweden, the packaging industry is destroying more and more old-growth forests to make toilet paper or cardboard. Biologists warn these ancient woodlands will no longer be able to help protect ecosystems and the climate.

Pekka Toveri (EPP) delivers a powerful reminder: Europe cannot afford to ignore the Russian threat. Drawing on the painful history of countries like Finland, Estonia, and Poland, he rejects the notion that diplomacy alone can stop aggression. Toveri stresses the need for continued defence investments to ensure Europe's security and protect future generations. Highlighting the real power behind Russia’s defence budget, he urges Europe to stay on course. Watch to understand why he believes defence readiness is not optional—it’s essential.

The US, grappling with an egg shortage, is reaching out to Lithuania for egg exports after Finland declined. The situation has prompted ridicule online.

The European Union plans to dramatically ramp up defense spending, mobilizing 800 billion euros over the next four years. The aim is to strengthen Europe's defense readiness and boost military support for Ukraine. The sharp increase signals growing concern that the bloc could also come under attack by Russia -- and can no longer depend on US protection for Europe via NATO.