This Europe bulletin rounds up major developments shaping politics, security, and policy across the region.
The UK is reassessing Chinese investments amid rising national-security concerns, while the EU prepares for a tougher, faster asylum system set to reshape migration rules from 2026.
In London, a new “milkshake tax” is brewing as part of efforts to close a budget gap.
And in a significant defence move, Ukraine has secured a large Rafale fighter jet deal with France.
A glance at the major developments in Europe today.
China’s UK investments spark security fears
China has been pouring huge amounts of money into the UK, tens of billions of pounds across different industries, and it’s ended up giving Chinese companies access to some pretty advanced, military-level technology.
According to the BBC, this has sparked serious worries among British officials and security experts.
The concern is that these big investments have let Chinese entities get their hands on strategic assets and sensitive tech, which is now leading to calls for stricter oversight.
The UK government is reportedly taking a closer look at these deals and weighing new rules to protect critical sectors from foreign influence or misuse.
Europe tightens asylum and migration rules
Europe is getting a lot stricter about asylum and migration.
Starting in 2026, when the EU’s new migration pact kicks in, many countries are reworking their policies.
Places like Denmark and even the UK are leaning toward giving refugees temporary protection instead of permanent status.
The overall goal is to speed up how quickly asylum applications are processed, tighten who actually qualifies, reduce some of the benefits given to asylum seekers, and make it easier to send back people whose applications are rejected.
On top of that, some countries are signing one-on-one agreements to help deport people more quickly.
At the EU level, the idea is to strike a balance: offer protection where it’s needed but keep migration more controlled.
These changes are happening because asylum applications have gone up, and governments are facing pressure from the public to take tougher action.
Altogether, it signals a shift toward a faster, stricter approach to managing asylum across Europe.
UK tax shift targets sweet milk drinks
Rachel Reeves is planning to roll out what people are already calling a “milkshake tax” in her upcoming budget.
Right now, milk-based drinks are exempt from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, the tax that targets sugary drinks, but that exemption is about to disappear.
The sugar threshold will also drop from 5g to 4g per 100ml, which means lots of dairy-based sweet drinks will fall under the tax starting in April 2027.
The goal is to encourage healthier choices and bring in up to £100 million.
Reeves is also expected to introduce a few other smaller taxes, possibly even on holidays to help plug a budget gap after she backed away from raising income tax.
The plan has already stirred up controversy, with industry groups warning that prices will go up and consumers will feel the squeeze.
Ukraine secures Rafale fighter deal
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has struck a major deal with France to buy up to 100 Rafale fighter jets over the next decade.
He signed the agreement in Paris alongside President Emmanuel Macron, and it’s not just about jets; Ukraine will also be getting drones, advanced air-defense systems, and new radar tech.
The idea is to seriously strengthen Ukraine’s military as the war continues.
The first Rafales are expected to arrive within about three years, and France will also help train Ukrainian pilots and support the production side of things.
For Ukraine, this is a big strategic move, especially with another tough winter and more Russian attacks on the horizon.
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