A German tabloid, Bild, claims the EU's sanctions on Russia aren't having the intended impact because the bloc is still importing billions in Russian oil, gas, and uranium. Essentially, the economic pressure meant to punish Russia isn’t working as planned.

Editor’s Note: If the EU is still heavily reliant on Russian energy despite sanctions, it raises big questions about how effective these measures really are—and whether they’re hurting Russia or just making life harder for Europeans. This could fuel debates about whether the sanctions need a rethink or if alternative strategies are necessary.

Lithuania is taking Belarus to court, demanding €200 million in damages over the 2021 migrant crisis, where Belarus was accused of funneling thousands of migrants to the Lithuanian border as a form of hybrid warfare. The lawsuit, filed at the International Court of Justice, claims Belarus orchestrated the crisis to destabilize its neighbor.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about money—it’s a high-stakes legal move that could set a precedent for how countries respond to hybrid threats like weaponized migration. If Lithuania wins, it might encourage other nations to hold Belarus (or similar regimes) financially accountable for political provocations. But given Belarus’s ties to Russia, this could also escalate tensions in an already volatile region.

French lawmakers have taken a significant step toward legalizing assisted dying, passing a bill that would allow terminally ill patients to end their lives under strict conditions. While the proposal still needs approval from the upper house, supporters are optimistic it could become law within the next few years.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about France—it’s part of a growing global debate over how societies handle end-of-life care. If passed, it would mark a major shift in a country where euthanasia has long been taboo, joining a handful of nations that permit assisted dying. For patients facing unbearable suffering, this could mean more autonomy, but it also raises ethical and religious questions that aren’t going away anytime soon.

The EU has just greenlit a massive €150 billion borrowing plan to fund defense projects across member states. This isn’t just pocket change—it’s a significant move to ramp up military spending and infrastructure, signaling a shift toward greater collective security in Europe.

Editor’s Note: With global tensions rising, this decision reflects Europe’s push to strengthen its defense capabilities independently. Whether you see it as a necessary step or a risky financial gamble, it’s a clear sign that the EU is taking security more seriously—and that’ll have ripple effects for budgets, politics, and global alliances.

Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz is putting pressure on Slovakia and Hungary, threatening to cut their EU funding if they continue to oppose the bloc’s stance on Russia. The warning comes as tensions rise over differing approaches to Moscow within the union.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just a bureaucratic spat—it’s a sign of deepening fractures in the EU over how to handle Russia. Germany’s hardline stance could escalate tensions with member states that favor a more neutral or Russia-friendly position, potentially weakening unity at a time when the bloc is already under strain. If funding gets pulled, it could hurt economies in Hungary and Slovakia, fueling even more political backlash.

A controversial Romanian politician, who was leading the presidential race last year before being disqualified by the Constitutional Court, has announced he’s stepping away from politics entirely. Known for his NATO-skeptic views, his exit marks the end of a turbulent chapter in Romanian politics.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one politician calling it quits—it’s a sign of how deeply polarized politics can get, especially when figures challenge mainstream alliances like NATO. For Romania, a country balancing EU ties with internal divisions, his departure could either calm tensions or leave a vacuum for new factions to emerge. Either way, it’s a moment worth watching.

Budapest police have officially blocked a planned Pride parade, enforcing a controversial Hungarian law that claims to protect children’s "mental development" by restricting LGBTQ+ events. This follows through on the government’s earlier promises to crack down on public displays of LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one event—it’s part of a broader pushback against LGBTQ+ visibility in Hungary, raising concerns about civil liberties under Prime Minister Orbán’s government. For activists, it’s another blow in an ongoing battle for recognition; for critics of the law, it’s a worrying sign of state overreach into personal freedoms. The move could also deepen tensions between Hungary and the EU, which has repeatedly clashed with Budapest over human rights issues.

The European Union is investigating Pornhub and three other major porn sites over concerns they aren’t doing enough to keep kids out. Regulators say the platforms lack proper age checks, making it too easy for minors to access explicit content.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about porn—it’s part of a bigger fight over who’s responsible for shielding kids online. The EU’s already cracked down on social media and gaming, and now adult sites are in the crosshairs. If the probe finds violations, it could force these platforms to adopt stricter age gates (like ID checks) or face hefty fines. Parents and privacy advocates will be watching closely, but critics might argue heavy-handed rules could backfire or push users toward shadier corners of the web. Either way, it’s another sign that governments are done trusting companies to self-police.

A video circulating online shows French President Emmanuel Macron being seemingly pushed by his wife, Brigitte Macron, as they disembarked a plane in Vietnam. The brief clip captures her gripping his face and shoving him backward—though it’s unclear if it was playful or tense. The incident has sparked chatter about their dynamic, with some calling it awkward and others brushing it off as a private moment caught out of context.

Editor’s Note: While it might seem like just a weird viral clip, this moment taps into broader public fascination with how world leaders (and their spouses) behave off-script. Macron’s presidency has often been under scrutiny for both policy and personal flair, so even small, unguarded interactions like this get dissected. It’s a reminder that in the age of smartphones, no gesture—big or small—goes unnoticed.