European Union

European Union members should open talks with Bosnia on joining, the EU’s executive branch says

By Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press

The Western Balkan country is among six nations that are at different stages of the EU accession process following a period of wars in the 1990s. Their memberships have been stalled for years.

Europe is unprepared to grapple with escalating climate extremes, risk assessment finds

By Carlos Mureithi, Dana Beltaji, Associated Press

The assessment says the bloc has made substantial progress and has a lot of policies to counteract the long-term effects of climate change, but societies are not prepared for more urgent climate threats.

In first, European Union issues nearly $2 billion antitrust fine against Apple

By Kelvin Chan, Associated Press

The EU's executive commission says Apple muzzled streaming services from telling people about payment options available through their websites. That would avoid the 30% fee charged when people pay through apps downloaded with the iOS App Store.

Farmers from 10 EU countries join forces to protest agricultural policies

By Associated Press

Farmers complain that the 27-nation EU's policies on the environment, such as the Green Deal, which calls for limits on the use of chemicals and on greenhouse gas emissions, limit their business and make their products more expensive than non-EU…

Hundreds of tractors line the streets of Madrid as farmers protest EU farming policies

By Alicia León, Associated Press

The demonstration Wednesday, the biggest to take place in the Spanish capital after more than two weeks of daily protests across the country, including a rally outside the Agriculture Ministry.

Polish farmers block Ukraine’s border as they intensify protests against non-EU imports

By Vanessa Gera, Associated Press

Farmers across Europe have been protesting, worried that EU plans to place limits on the use of chemicals and on greenhouse gas emissions will result in a reduction in production and income.

Chief of UNRWA in Gaza calls EU funds ‘absolutely critical’ but the bloc wants an audit

By Lorne Cook, Associated Press

The aid agency, UNRWA, has been the main supplier of food, water and shelter during Israel's war against Hamas. But it's reeling from allegations that 12 staff members participated in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.

Farmers in Italy, Spain and Poland protest over European Union policies

By Ciarán Giles, Monika Scislowska, Associated Press

The actions follow similar ones in other EU member nations in recent weeks with farmers complaining that the 27-nation bloc's environmental and other policies are a financial burden and make their products more expensive than non-EU imports.

The EU announces 210 million euros in aid to help Mauritania curb migration

By Associated Press

The EU has announced 210 million euros to help the coastal nation of Mauritania combat irregular migration, as the number of migrants making the dangerous Atlantic crossing from West Africa to Europe rises sharply.

Thousands of Spanish farmers stage a 2nd day of tractor protests over EU policies

By Ciarán Giles, Raf Cassert, Associated Press

Spanish farmers blocked highways and caused traffic jams to demand changes in European Union farming policies. They are also calling for more funds and measures to combat production cost hikes and severe drought.