Access to affordable, adequate and energy-efficient housing has become one of the EU's most pressing socio-economic challenges. Rising house prices and rents, limited affordable supply and regional disparities have intensified housing insecurity, especially for low-income households and young people. Although housing policy remains primarily a national competence, it has gained prominence on the EU agenda in response to concerns about affordability, social exclusion and energy poverty. In December 2025, the European Commission published an affordable housing plan aimed at boosting housing supply, mobilising investment, simplifying permits, and targeting young people and the homeless to facilitate access to affordable housing. Additionally, the Commission provides guidance to Member States on housing issues through the European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Semester. The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the main instrument of Next Generation EU, plays a significant role in supporting housing-related reforms and investments through Member States' national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs); it supports 50 housing-related investments and 21 reforms. Housing-related investments are also supported by traditional EU funding instruments under the multiannual financial framework (MFF), including cohesion policy funds and InvestEU. The NRRPs cover a wide range of relevant investment and reform measures, including areas such as social and affordable housing supply, energy renovation, urban regeneration and regulatory reforms. An analysis of the 10 plans with the largest share of measures supporting affordability and availability of housing show the different approaches Member States have taken within the RRF framework. The European Parliament has called for access to decent and affordable housing to be recognised as a fundamental right and put forward a set of recommendations prepared by its Special Committee on the Housing Crisis. Overall, the EU's evolving approach aims to enhance coordination between Member States, increase funding mobilisation and provide clearer policy guidance to tackle the housing crisis. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

“No punishment. No investigation,” the Pentagon chief wrote on social media hours after military officials announced they had grounded the pilots involved.

The order calls for limiting mail ballots and using federal data to compile lists of eligible voters – moves experts say exceed his constitutional authority.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a law authorizing the name change, marking another example of Trump’s name and likeness appearing on American buildings and institutions.

The Supreme Court again considered alleged bias accusations against an infamous Mississippi prosecutor.

Judge Richard Leon criticized the Trump administration’s “brazen” arguments for the project. The planned $400 million ballroom has been a presidential priority.

The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case that could determine whether a Florida child, and thousands like her, have a country to call home.

The major ruling casts doubt on similar prohibitions in 30 states. It is the latest decision by the high court rolling back protections for LGBTQ+ people.

In 2026, disbursements from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) could amount to some €180 billion in the best‑case scenario, more than twice the level of 2025. This support could help EU Member States mitigate the challenges they face in an increasingly uncertain global outlook. However, they need to make efforts to ensure full implementation of their national recovery and resilience plans and absorption of RRF resources, since the deadline to meet investment and reform objectives is 31 August 2026. Meanwhile, the military escalation in the Middle East is weighing on growth prospects and higher energy prices are adding new pressure on inflation. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The president and his son Eric shared images of a tower that appeared to be about 50 stories tall and would rise over downtown Miami.

The Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday in a case that could determine whether a Florida child, and thousands like her, have a country to call home.

This workshop assessed recent developments in human rights and accountability across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the context of the 4th EU–CELAC summit (Santa Marta, 9 November 2025). Bringing together EU policymakers, regional human rights representatives, academics and civil society actors, the discussion examined the structural challenges affecting democratic governance and the institutional mechanisms available to address them. Participants highlighted the coexistence of democratic backsliding, organised criminal violence, institutional fragility and shrinking civic space with enduring commitments to international human rights law and multilateral cooperation. Particular attention was given to the region’s complex “accountability mosaic”, comprising international and regional judicial bodies, national human rights institutions, transitional justice mechanisms and protection frameworks for human rights defenders. While these mechanisms have produced meaningful advances, their effectiveness remains uneven and vulnerable to political, economic and security pressures. The workshop also explored the human rights implications of transnational organised crime, climate-related vulnerabilities and trade-based cooperation frameworks, emphasising the need for policy coherence, sustained multilateral engagement and capacity-building. Overall, the discussion underscored that EU–LAC relations are grounded in shared normative principles but require more systematic operationalisation through political dialogue, cooperative instruments and support for regional and domestic accountability structures. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The president and his son Eric shared images of a towering skyscraper that would be located in downtown Miami.

The Democratic lawmaker’s move comes after report in The Post that Kash Patel was preparing to release investigative files related to the congressman.

Iran contradicted Trump’s claims that direct talks with more a moderate regime in Tehran were making “great progress.”

After President Trump said Sunday that “we have a lot of great candidates” when asked about Casey Means’s nomination, the White House reiterated its support for her.

An Army official said “appropriate action” will be taken if the probe reveals violations of safety standards or other regulations.

An Army official said “appropriate action” will be taken if the probe reveals violations of safety standards or other regulations.

This study provides country-specific data and analysis on the potential impacts of the proposed revision of the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD). Using the Tobacco Excise Tax Simulation Model, it focuses on nine Member States. Simulations of higher minimum excise rates for cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes indicate higher prices, narrower price gaps between countries, reduced consumption, higher revenues and declines in premature mortality. These findings support timely and undiluted implementation of the proposed revision of the TTD. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

European Council President António Costa declared 2026 'the year of European competitiveness', emphasising the significance that the European Council places on the topic. Given the current geopolitical context, Costa put substantial efforts into maintaining the EU leaders' focus on this agenda point. Despite predictions that competitiveness would be sidelined, the European Council followed up on the discussions at the informal competitiveness retreat at Alden Biesen on 12 February, launching a 'One Europe, One Market' agenda to be implemented in the next two years. Two other crucial points were on the table. First, the enactment of the €90 billion loan to Ukraine, on which EU leaders did not convince Hungary to lift its veto on a required implementation law. This time around, leaders did not shy away from speaking bluntly, calling Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's behaviour 'disloyal', or even 'a betrayal'. For the sixth time in a row, a separate text was adopted on Ukraine, with the firm support of 25 EU leaders. The second central point was the escalating situation in the Middle East, on which EU leaders displayed unity in condemning Iran's indiscriminate military strikes against countries in the region and in rejecting US President Donald Trump's demands – and threats regarding the future of NATO – to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz. The European Council also discussed – albeit briefly – security and defence, migration, European democratic resilience, the protection of children online, the EU's eastern border regions and the situation at the Dniester river. Back-to-back with the European Council, EU leaders met for a Euro summit in inclusive format to discuss the euro-area economy in light of the war in the Middle East. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study provides country-specific data and analysis on the potential impacts of the proposed revision of the EU Tobacco Taxation Directive (TTD). Using the Tobacco Excise Tax Simulation Model, it focuses on nine Member States. Simulations of higher minimum excise rates for cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes indicate higher prices, narrower price gaps between countries, reduced consumption, higher revenues and declines in premature mortality. These findings support timely and undiluted implementation of the proposed revision of the TTD. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Supreme Court declined to review the murder-for-hire conviction of Joseph Maldonado-Passage, the “Tiger King,” who gained notoriety from a 2020 documentary.

An argument heading to the Supreme Court is built in part on a post-Civil War campaign that scholars say was steeped in anti-Black and anti-Chinese racism.

The planned White House addition, a top priority of the president, is facing a key vote this week. A federal judge may also rule to halt the project.

Organic production in the EU is governed by Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Following the Court of Justice's judgment of 4 October 2024 in Case C 240/23 Herbaria Kräuterparadies II, which stated that imported products recognised under equivalence arrangements cannot use the EU organic logo, the Commission has proposed adjustments to improve clarity for consumers and prevent trade disruptions. The proposal would revise the labelling rules for imports from equivalent third countries, allowing the EU organic logo to be used only when additional EU requirements are met. It would also simplify requirements for cleaning and disinfection products, raise the thresholds for exempting small sellers of unpacked organic products, ease the conditions for groups of operators, and extend equivalence recognitions to trade partners to prevent trade disruption. Further changes would address quail production rules, withdrawal periods for veterinary medicines, outdoor access for poultry and limits on poultry house size. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Adam Johnson has rarely voted and embraces his role as clown prince of Jan. 6. Floridians will decide whether a man who tried to upend democracy can help lead one.

If President Trump approves the plans, such an effort would mark a new phase of the war that could be significantly more dangerous to U.S. troops than the first four weeks.

FBI Director Kash Patel is pushing to post documents related to a Democratic lawmaker who has not been accused of wrongdoing, raising alarms within the Bureau.

President Donald Trump seemed set to endorse Sen. John Cornyn in the Texas Republican primary runoff. But strong opposition from MAGA activists forestalled that.

President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might move away from its commitment to defend NATO allies, criticizing them for not supporting the war in Iran.

Senate Democrats have said the plan is “dead on arrival” in the upper chamber.

The strike on Prince Sultan Air Base also damaged at least two Air Force refueling aircraft and underscored that despite weeks of strikes, Iran still poses a threat.

The testimony emerged as officials in Fulton County urged a federal judge to order the return of more than 650 boxes of materials seized by agents in January.

The oil price rose to $110 per barrel on Friday, as Iran has demonstrated it can inflict significant damage on the world’s economy, even while outgunned. That creates a dilemma for President Trump.

Speaker Mike Johnson said a vote would happen late Friday night on an eight-week measure to fund the Department of Homeland Security.