- 3h ago
EU split over migration after 60,000 cross into Ceuta; 22 leaders demand border crackdown
After 60,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, 22 EU leaders signed a letter calling for stronger external borders, while Spain accused some partners of 'selfish' reactions and Italy suspended Schengen rules.
- 19h ago
Spain builds sea barrier in Ceuta after 60,000 migrants cross from Morocco, death toll reaches 67
Around 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish exclave on Thursday and Friday, overwhelming the city of 83,000. Spain began installing a 500-metre floating barrier on Saturday as the death toll rose to 67.
- 3d ago
EU opens bidding for seven AI gigafactories backed by €30 billion in public and private funds
The European Union launched a call for consortia to build up to seven AI gigafactories, combining 10 billion euros in EU and national funds with at least 20 billion euros in private investment to close the gap with the US and China.
- 3d ago
Death toll in Ceuta migrant crisis reaches 72 as Spain installs floating barrier
At least 72 people died trying to reach the Spanish enclave from Morocco, while Madrid installed a 500-metre floating barrier and over 48,000 migrants returned.
- Jul 25
Wildfires Force 270,000 Evacuations in France and Spain; Bordeaux Airport Closed, NASA Center Evacuated
Massive wildfires in southwestern France and central Spain have forced over 270,000 people to evacuate, with Bordeaux's airport closed and a NASA deep-space communications center threatened near Madrid.
- Jul 25
Greece dispatches two Canadair water bombers to Spain, EU mobilises rescEU fleet against devastating wildfires
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed the deployment of two Canadair CL-415 water bombers to Madrid on Saturday, as the EU's rescEU fleet rushed additional aircraft to battle out-of-control blazes in Spain and France.
- Jul 25
From Romanian stage, Viktor Orbán blasts Hungary's TISZA government and says EU won't exist in current form by 2051
Speaking at a summer university in Romania, the former Hungarian prime minister accused the TISZA government of authoritarian abuses, comparing Hungary to Venezuela. He predicted that the European Union in its current form will be gone within 25 years.
- Jul 24
EU adopts 21st Russia sanctions package, freezing oil cap at $44 and granting Greek LNG shipping exception
EU ambassadors agreed on the 21st sanctions package against Russia on 23 July, freezing the oil price cap at $44 per barrel and granting Greece a one-year exception for LNG shipments to non-EU countries.
- Jul 24
EU clinches 21st Russia sanctions deal after Greece wins one-year exemption for LNG tankers
EU ambassadors overcame months of deadlock on Thursday morning, agreeing to a 21st sanctions package after Greece secured a one-year exemption for its LNG tankers carrying Russian gas to non-EU countries.
- Jul 23
EU adopts 21st sanctions package against Russia, targeting banks, shadow fleet and oil price cap
The package extends the $44/barrel oil price cap, blacklists 32 more banks, and for the first time targets vessels aiding Russia's shadow fleet, while a last-minute Greek LNG exemption unlocked the deal.
- Jul 23
EU approves 21st sanctions package against Russia, freezes oil price cap at $44.10 after Greek shipping exemption
After weeks of wrangling, EU ambassadors agreed to freeze the oil price cap at $44.10 per barrel for 12 months, add 32 Russian banks to the transaction ban, and target the shadow fleet, but watered down LNG transport restrictions to satisfy Athens.
- Jul 22
France becomes first European country to ban social media for children under 15
The French parliament adopted a law on Tuesday prohibiting minors under 15 from using social networks, with the ban taking effect in September for new accounts and January for existing ones.
- Jul 21
Germany seeks more Azerbaijani gas and oil as Merz and Aliyev sign strategic pact, while Baku backchannel surfaces
Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev agreed in Berlin to deepen energy ties, with Germany seeking more gas and oil while Aliyev demanded new pipelines and investment. The meeting also surfaced a secret backchannel between former German and Russian officials in Baku.
- Jul 17
EU Commission slows ETS cap reduction to 1.7% after 2036 and extends free CO2 allowances to 2038
The European Commission proposed slowing the pace of emission cap reductions in the EU carbon market after 2030 and extending free allowances for CBAM sectors until 2038, drawing sharp criticism from both industry-aligned MEPs and Green lawmakers.
- Jul 16
EU and Ukraine sign joint drone manufacturing pact; Zelenskiy says output will double to 20 million per year
The accord, signed during Ukraine's independence celebrations, aims to marry Kyiv's combat-proven drone know-how with Europe's industrial scale, starting with joint production by year-end and anti-ballistic missiles by 2028.
- Jul 13
EU Commission presents report calling for social media ban for children under 13, phased access from 2026
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday presented an expert report recommending a progressive ban on social media for those under 13, with supervised use only, and announced legislative proposals after summer.
- Jul 13
EU split over Israeli settlement trade ban as foreign ministers fail to reach majority for action
A proposal to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank won the most support among EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, but fell short of the simple majority needed to compel the European Commission to draft sanctions.
- Jul 13
EU appoints Raffaele Fitto as Special Representative for Cyprus to support UN reunification talks
The European Commission appointed Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as its special representative for Cyprus on Monday, tasking him with supporting UN-led reunification efforts alongside envoy María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar.
- Jul 13
Macron's final Bastille Day parade showcases 500 coalition troops, 35 nations in a display of European rearmament
Some 6,500 to 6,800 soldiers, including 500 from the Coalition of the Willing and 25 Ukrainians, marched down the Champs-Élysées as President Macron used his final national day parade to signal Europe's strategic awakening and readiness to defend itself.
- Jul 13
EU experts recommend restricting social media for children under 13, propose tiered access model
EU Commission experts advocate an EU-wide restriction on social media access for minors under 13, with under-threes facing a total screen ban and platforms required to prove safety for teenagers.
