EUROPEAN UNION

The latest draft proposal for new European Union sanctions over Russia's war in Ukraine says "alternative measures" should be considered before the bloc restricts trade with any third country for busting existing sanctions, a document showed.

EU lawmakers on Thursday urged the European Commission to continue talks to reinforce a proposed data transfer pact with the United States, saying there were still shortcomings in the agreement.

At least 17.6 million Ukrainians require humanitarian assistance this year, according to the United Nations.

The rest of the world should copy European Union rules for cryptoassets to create a robust global approach that protects consumers and financial stability, the EU's financial services chief said on Wednesday.

In recent days, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia banned the import of grain and other food items from Ukraine after a slump in prices triggered protests from local farmers.

Russian forces marked a grim milestone Thursday after their death toll surpassed 180,000 in the war in Ukraine.

Lagging behind, Italy's plans for EU funds at risk

A landmark deal to prohibit new sales of fossil fuel cars from 2035 is key to the bloc's ambitious plan to become a "climate-neutral" economy by 2050, with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The global auto industry took a hit Friday when U.S. automaker Ford announced it would be slashing 1,100 jobs at its Spanish plant in Valencia.

Citizens of European Union member countries are also barred from carrying out P2P transactions that use the Russian ruble, according to reports.

EU vows to boost investment in Kenya to strengthen ties

The E.U.'s top diplomat Josep Borrell expressed concern during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about China's alleged plan to arm Russia.

According to a Spanish newspaper, former Russian First Lady Lyudmila Ocheretnaya owned properties in the resort town of Marbella worth $2.3 million.

The newborn baby girl rescued alive from the rubble is the sole survivor after her immediate family got crushed to death during the earthquake.

There is a growing conviction that the recall of EU ambassadors and the closure of Western embassies in Tehran, followed by the expulsion of all Iranian diplomatic staff and their cohorts from Europe and the U.S., would be a more forceful response to the regime's barbarity.

Around half of the residents of Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy and Spain support the immediate cessation of hostilities, even if Ukraine gives up its territories.

The new sanctions package will focus on imposing "massive consequences" on people who bring modern technologies from the EU to Russia, said the European Commission President.

Belgium makes EU parliament arrests in Qatar corruption probe

Former President of Albania Sali Berisha was punched while leading a protest against Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The European Parliament voted to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism on Wednesday.

The European Union backed an initiative Thursday night that would create a "broad donor base" to a fund that would aid countries vulnerable to climate change.