The European Union's drugs regulator on Thursday said it recommends approval of Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi in patients with early Alzheimer's disease, months after the agency first rejected the treatment.

A European regulatory committee now recommends approval of the Alzheimer’s treatment lecanemab a few months after rejecting the drug

The European Union's drugs regulator reversed its decision to block the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab, a treatment aimed at slowing cognitive decline in patients. In July, the Amsterdam-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) denied recommending approval of the drug made by Eisai and Biogen because it considered the risks - especially bleeding and swelling in the brain - to be greater than the potential benefits in a broad population.

The European Parliament demanded further changes to a landmark law to tackle global deforestation, adding complications to a plan to delay the controversial rules before they take effect later this year.

The European Parliament voted on Thursday for a 12-month delay to the implementation of a law banning the import of commodities linked to deforestation, and adopted a series of amendments to weaken the law itself.

The European Parliament on Thursday approved a one-year delay on implementing the bloc's sweeping anti-deforestation rules but also voted to loosen some requirements -- raising fresh uncertainty over

The EU has struggled to find a strong united position on the Gaza war, which was triggered by attacks by Hamas Palestinian militants on Israel on Oct. 7 last year. The bloc has called on Hamas to release all Israeli hostages and on both sides to respect international law.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday rejected top EU diplomat Josep Borrell's proposal to suspend regular political dialogue with Israel in response to the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. "We are always in favour of keeping channels of dialogue open.

The EU's Josep Borrell has proposed suspending the political dialogue agreement with Israel due to its actions in Gaza, while Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of crimes against humanity. DW has more.