EU Perspectives

21% of the European Union population lives at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania are the worst off. In contrast, the lowest proportion of people living at risk of poverty is in Czechia, Poland, and Slovenia.

Lifting sanctions against Russia will not come without conditions. Speaking at the European Parliament, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Europe must have a say in any peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. She stressed that sanctions are a key bargaining tool and that Moscow must also make concessions, rather than expecting Europe to accept its demands. With peace negotiations in focus, Brussels is making clear that European interests cannot be left out of the deal. #EUPerspectives

US President Donald Trump is promoting former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a candidate for UN secretary-general. Washington is even considering a joint candidacy with Russia and China, according to The Wall Street Journal citing sources from the three nations. The term of current UN chief António Guterres ends on December 31, and UN states are already nominating candidates and publishing programs.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu: "We want to make Erasmus simpler to access. It's important that it's easy, that it's not bureaucratic."

A cruise holiday turned into a dramatic collision in Germany. The Mein Schiff 3 cruise ship, carrying 3,350 passengers and crew, collided with two container ships while leaving the port of Bremerhaven on 25 October. Strong winds reportedly pushed the vessel off course, causing significant damage to the ships and forcing the cancellation of its planned voyage to the Canary Islands. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. #EUPerspectives

Empty supermarket shelves and disrupted deliveries are raising concerns in Italy as truck drivers protest against soaring fuel prices. Road blockades are putting pressure on supply chains, threatening deliveries of food and essential goods to shops across the country. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has warned that ordinary citizens are paying the price, with families and businesses caught in the middle of the dispute. The government has announced fuel tax relief and financial support for affected sectors, but tensions remain over the continuing blockades. #EUPerspectives