The European Commission announced which EU countries will receive aid and which will be exempt from helping with migration pressures under the new EU Solidarity Pool scheme, aiming for a fairer distribution of responsibilities in managing migration, with Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Italy identified as most in need of assistance.
UK health officials are urging at-risk groups, especially men who have sex with men, to get vaccinated against mpox as cases of the 'clade Ib' strain are emerging in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands, with concerns about local transmission and the importance of vaccination before events like Winter Pride.
Eighteen EU countries have applied for over 127 billion euros from a new 150-billion-euro defense fund, SAFE, to bolster Europe's military capabilities amid reduced U.S. prioritization of European security, with a focus on European-made military equipment and strategic independence.
Seventeen EU countries have criticized Hungary for passing laws that restrict LGBTQ+ rights, including banning Pride marches and recognizing only two sexes, prompting calls for the European Commission to consider legal action to uphold EU values of human dignity and equality.
China has announced that citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia will be able to travel visa-free to China for a year starting December 1. The visa-free policy allows for a stay of up to 15 days for purposes such as business, tourism, family visits, and transit. The decision has been welcomed by foreign ministers and ambassadors, who hope that the measures will eventually be extended to all EU member states, facilitating deeper personal, cultural, and economic relations between China and the EU.
The European Commission has proposed that EU countries authorize the use of glyphosate, a controversial weed-killing chemical, in farming for another 10 years. Glyphosate is the most widely used pesticide in the world, but critics argue that it is linked to cancer and harmful to wildlife. The European Food Safety Authority found "no critical areas of concern" but identified data gaps. The proposal will be discussed by member countries on Friday, with a vote scheduled for October 13. France, which previously voted against the approval, has indicated it will not oppose it this time.