he threat of war in Ukraine is growing. As the unelected government in Kiev declares itself unable to control the rebellion in the country's east, John Kerry brands Russia a rogue state. The US and the European Union step up sanctions against the Kremlin, accusing it of destabilising Ukraine.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, told the press on Wednesday that she believes it to be both "understandable and appropriate" for EU member nations to consider mandatory vaccinations. This after it became clear that a full third of Europeans have yet to undergo the jab, according to the BBC.

Syrian friends Anas Kanaan, 34, and Mouein al-Hadi, 36, were told by people smugglers that they would easily be able to get to Germany from Belarus. They just had to pay 3,000 euros ($3,390) each to an intermediary in Turkey.

A project centered around the development of a subsea wave energy converter has taken another step forward after its two major constituent parts were joined together at a facility in Scotland. According to a statement from AWS Ocean Energy on Wednesday, the assembly, which it described as "a critical milestone", took place last week.

Ten years after the financial crisis, Europe's economy achieved a recovery, but not a revival. Low inflation, low interest rates and low growth were the new normal across the continent. Then, the coronavirus pandemic hit, causing incredible damage to the economies of numerous countries.

This story is outside the FT's paywall (you do not need a subscription to access it) so it can be shared freely. It was early 2018 when Jan Marsalek, the young chief operating officer of German fintech champion Wirecard, held a meeting in his palatial home in Munich to talk about a new special project he was interested in: recruiting 15,000 Libyan militiamen.

Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage tore into the European Parliament as he unleashed his final tirade after 20 years as an MEP. He said: "A 47-year political experiment which the British have frankly never been very happy with. Not to flags anthems presidents and now you even want your own army.

As Boris Johnson was declaring himself "The Dude" after being appointed as Tory leader, his Brexit plans were being shot down in Brussels as the bloc signals that it has no plans to make concessions.