Euobserver.com

German infighting held up EU deal-making on a crucial set of climate laws for almost the entire day on Tuesday. Environment minister Steffi Lemke said Germany would support a combustion engine ban in 2035. Then German minister of finance Christian Lindner publicly tweeted his disagreement, saying his pro-business FDP would block such a compromise. "No one understands what the German coalition agreement means anymore," one EU diplomat, speaking anonymously, said.

Rising energy and food prices shouldn't stop the Western public from supporting Ukraine, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said at the alliance's summit in Madrid.

The International Organization for Migration says more Ukrainians, displaced internally by the war, are now returning home. In a report, it says some 5.5 million internally displaced have gone home, while 6.2 million remain displaced. "About half of those who had left their homes due to the war since 24 February have now returned, especially to the north of the country and to the capital Kyiv," it said.

Estrella Galán, general director of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR), told Spanish media outlet Hora 14 on Monday (27 June) that 37 people had died in their attempt to scale the fence of the Spanish enclave of Melilla last week. "What happened on Friday in Melilla was a tragedy that has killed at least 37 people, but it is difficult to be sure," said Galan.

Thousands of Asian workers are picking fruit in slave-like conditions under Italy's agro-mafia "masters", who send the produce all over Europe.

While the EU has made a quantum leap in its foreign and security policy, unless it reconsiders its more muscular approach it risks an arms race towards total militarisation.

The EU's 27 energy ministers reached agreement on a crucial set of climate laws, but worried that the economic recession weakened some provisions in the commission proposal.

Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi defended his border forces despite evidence of illegal pushbacks, including a new testimony from a 26-year old asylum seeker from Gaza.

Exposure to air pollution, radon, ultraviolet radiation, asbestos, certain chemicals and other pollutants is linked to over 10 percent of all cancer cases in Europe, a report found.

Norwegian police on Monday called for all pride events in the country to be delayed "until further notice," arguing that security might not be guaranteed after a weekend shooting at a popular gay bar, which left two dead and 21 injured, Reuters reported. A major pride event programmed for Monday in Oslo was already cancelled. The terrorism threat level of the country was raised after Saturday's attack.

While Kyiv endured the heaviest bombing it has seen in weeks, G7 leaders have discussed putting a price cap on Moscow's oil revenues and raise new tariffs on Russian goods.

The full-scale war Russia has launched in Ukraine simply reinforced the Ukrainisation and Europeanisation of Ukrainian society.

Would you pick up a gun and fight for Ukraine? The injustice of the Russian invasion has led white-collar professionals like Florent and Thomas to trade suits and ties for camouflage and Kalashnikovs.

The EU Commission said on Tuesday that opening accounts in roubles at a Russian bank to pay for gas would breach the bloc's sanctions against Moscow. Russia has demanded foreign buyers start to pay for gas in roubles. The commission said EU sanctions do not prevent companies from opening an account at a designated bank so long as they do so in the currency agreed in their existing contracts.

Hungary is continuing to block an EU oil embargo on Russia, but there is optimism its objections can soon be overcome — perhaps within a few days to "a week or two", according to some EU foreign ministers.

EU plans to quit Russian gas and replace it, in part, by importing overseas liquified natural gas has lead to a flurry of new gas projects — which threaten to lock in unnecessary gas use for decades.

Iconic Western fast-food chain McDonald's on Monday set out detailed plans for exiting Russia due to its war on Ukraine, saying it will sell all its restaurants there and not allow franchises to use its brand or logo. "It is impossible to ignore the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine," CEO Chris Kempczinski said, while voicing sympathy for former Russian employees who will lose their jobs.

Norway, Denmark and Iceland pledged on Monday to support Finland and Sweden, which have both announced their bids to join Nato, in case the two Nordic countries come under attack, Reuters reported. "Together with Denmark and Iceland, Norway stands ready to assist its Nordic neighbours by all means necessary should they be the victim of aggression on their territory before obtaining Nato membership," said Norway's prime minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.

Germany will oppose EU plans to include nuclear energy as a sustainable investment in its "taxonomy" policy for labelling green investments, Reuters reported on Monday. The commission has support from MEPs and EU countries to temporarily label them as climate-friendly. Germany's red/green/liberal coalition government has now said it would vote no in the council of member states next week. MEPs will vote on the issue in July.

MEPs have raised concerns over the level of contamination of some hazardous chemicals in Europe, prompting calls to speed up the restrictions on the so-called "forever chemicals".