European Union

A Russian military transport plane has apparently been shot down in the Belgorod region near the Ukrainian border. According to Russia, in addition to the crew and three guards, 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war were also on board, en route to a prisoner exchange. The Ukrainian military intelligence, however, says it has no reliable information about the identity of the passengers.

Donald Trump remains the favourite to become the Republican candidate in the US presidential election in November, having defeated his rival Nikki Haley by eleven percentage points in the New Hampshire primary. Haley is now pinning her hopes on the primary in her home state of South Carolina. Commentators ask how long the duel will last.

Greece's conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis wants to fulfil an election promise to introduce same-sex marriage in the country. The issue has triggered fierce debate in Greek society. The toughest opposition comes from the influential Orthodox Church, with some bishops even threatening MPs with excommunication.

Oil giant BP Europe is pushing for a revision of the EU’s rules for biofuels, fossil fuel alternatives made from crops, animal fats, and waste, to allow more crops into the EU’s definition of ‘advanced’ biofuels that can be used for aviation.

Russia's attempts to push narratives that Ukraine's EU membership prospects are doubtful or will simply make the country the EU's "agricultural appendage" have largely fallen on deaf ears as Ukrainians remain firmly in favour of EU accession.

Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Advocate General Medina: Member States are not bound to recognise refugee status granted in another Member State

Audi
Intellectual and industrial property
European Union trade mark: a car manufacturer can prohibit the use of a sign identical or similar to the trade mark it owns for spare parts

Following his hostile rhetoric towards Ukraine this week, Prime Minister Robert Fico showed his tamer side abroad as he reassured German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of his support for the country ahead of a meeting on Wednesday (24 January).

Laudamotion
Transport
Passengers who did not present themselves for boarding for a flight which arrived with a long delay or who purchased a ticket for an alternative flight and arrived at the destination with a delay of less than three hours are not entitled to fixed compensation