The Latest Breaking News from European Union

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver a major state of the union speech on the challenges facing the world’s biggest trading bloc and laying out her vision for tackling them

EU lawmakers gave a final green light Tuesday to a law on slashing back the mountains of food wasted in Europe each year, and curbing the environmental impact of so-called fast fashion.

Divisions within the EU persist, as its two largest economies remain at odds over nuclear power — France relies heavily on it, while Germany shut down its last reactor in 2023.

Paris-based Mistral AI has achieved Europe’s largest fundraising round in artificial intelligence to date, securing €1.7 billion and bringing Dutch semiconductor giant ASML on board as a strategic partner in a deal seen as bolstering Europe’s drive for technological sovereignty.

ASK ME ANYTHING: Simon Calder, The Independent’s travel correspondent, is on hand to answer your questions and demystify the EU’s new entry-exit system and post-Brexit travel rules

In today’s newsletter: After François Bayrou resigned, Emmanuel Macron is looking for his sixth prime minister since assuming power

The World Health Organization and several international NGOs have raised the alarm on the need to evacuate sick and injured children from Gaza. But some governments refuse to welcome patients from the Strip out of fear of repercussions to their security and migration policies.

Political groups disagree over how best to help the sector - the coming months will be crucial.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will open the IAA motor show in Munich on Tuesday as debate rages over the EU's target to phase out combustion-engine vehicle sales within a decade.