European Union

A parliamentary report on foreign interference in France, prepared upon demand of  Marine Le Pen's far-right party and published on Thursday (June 8), highlighted China's growing interference, pointing to its methods that are becoming increasingly aggressive.

The Green Deal must be the EU's response to both past and present crises, Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius told EURACTIV France, adding that he will continue to meet with MEPs to explain his side of the debate.

TTo tackle the railway delays plaguing Germany, the federal government plans to reform the company structure of state-owned operator Deutsche Bahn, but private railway operators and the opposition warn that the reform might fall short.

Plenary Session, Strasbourg

Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

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A European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling published on Thursday (8 June) slammed Barcelona’s strict private hire vehicles rules as “contrary to EU law”, in a move that could have EU-wide repercussions.

After years of dispute, EU interior ministers have agreed on a significant tightening of the bloc's asylum policy. A sufficient majority of member states voted in favour of establishing reception centres with fast-track procedures on the EU's external borders for those coming from countries considered safe. In addition, EU states that are unwilling to take in refugees are to pay compensation. Is this progress?

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnieper River has led to the flooding of vast areas of land in Ukraine and deprived thousands of people of their livelihoods. Many have sought refuge on rooftops and are waiting to be evacuated. There is also growing concern about the colossal impact on the environment, drinking water supplies, agriculture and the cooling water for the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station. The quest for the truth about who did this and their motives continues.

The collapse of Kakhovka Dam is widely seen in Ukraine and the West as an act of war by Russia, and the resulting devastation as an act of aggression. Among Russia's neighbours, concerns are now mounting that their own dams and other critical infrastructure may not be adequately protected.

In Annecy in eastern France, six people including four toddlers were injured in a stabbing attack on Thursday. Two are currently in a critical condition. The attacker, a Christian from Syria, shouted "Jesus Christ" before the attack. The attack drew immediate calls for a stricter immigration policy from the far right and on social networks. France's press makes a first assessment of the events.