The European Union is facing one of its most consequential decisions of the Ukraine war: whether to use frozen Russian central bank assets to help finance Ukraine’s future. Around 210 billion euros in Russian assets, frozen after Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022, are now at the center of a fierce debate inside Europe. 

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Udine, Italy, ahead of the Italy vs Israel World Cup qualifier, demanding Israel’s exclusion from international football. Despite a Gaza ceasefire and tight security, clashes erupted between demonstrators and police outside the stadium. Italy won 3–0, but the match was overshadowed by chants, protests, and anger at Italy’s football federation for refusing to boycott Israel.