Russia and Germany are keen for full regulatory approval of the natural gas pipeline as European faces an energy crunch. Critics say the pipeline increases the EU's dependency on Russian gas.

Marine Le Pen heavily criticized the European Union during her visit with the Hungarian prime minister in Budapest. Viktor Orban praised Le Pen and said she would help renew Europe's political right wing.

European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager told DW in an interview that legal action against the tech giant could be endless, but regulation now could limit its damage.

The UN has suspended flights to Tigray's regional capital after a plane had to abort landing in Mekelle. The humanitarian situation in the region is dire with civilians facing famine-like conditions, the UN added.

Several EU member states are seeking a bloc-wide rapid reaction force. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the defense efforts should not duplicate existing structures.

Poland and the European Union have been at loggerheads this week over the country’s rejection of parts of EU law. But tensions have not emerged overnight. Despite the country’s overwhelming grassroots support of EU membership, bitter disputes over judicial matters and social policy have emerged since the Law and Justice (PiS) party came to power in 2015. While Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki insists that Poland's place is in the EU, some believe that the latest clash could signal the start of a ‘Polexit’.