Author: staff
It comes as Europe faces multiple water-related problems, including PFAS and nitrate pollution, leaky infrastructure, more severe droughts and higher intensity rainfall. The Commission will work with EU members to “develop a joint methodology for water efficiency targets” that considers differences between countries, regions and sectors. In a 2027 review of the strategy, the Commission will develop “common benchmarks.” Asked about the rationale behind the non-binding 10 percent target, EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall told reporters: “For me, it’s obvious that we need to have some targets to go to — but also [to be] very aware that the situation…
The EU’s sanctions are expected to include restrictions on companies connected to the two Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany, and a lowering of an oil price cap. After meeting with American Republican Senator Lindsey Graham on Monday, von der Leyen said she was pleased about his plans to pile pressure on Russia. A bipartisan bill he is sponsoring would impose tariffs of 500 percent on goods imported from countries that still buy Russian fossil fuels and other products. When asked what she expected from impending sanctions, von der Leyen said: “So if the Americans decide to impose…
However, diplomats said, the deadline to actually reach the objective is still undecided; NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is proposing 2032. “We are currently negotiating within the North Atlantic Council the timelines and what’s included in the 5 percent, both from a core defense standpoint and also defense-related and security-related spending,” the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, told reporters on Wednesday. “But let me be clear on this, we cannot have another Wales pledge style where a lot of allies don’t meet their commitments until year 10 or year 11,” he added, referring to the 2014 decision at a NATO…
Defendants in France typically see punishments temporarily lifted by appealing a verdict, at which point in the judicial process they return to being presumed innocent. However, the prosecutors in Le Pen’s case argued — and the judges agreed — that her crimes were so grave that her ban on running for public office should be handed down immediately, regardless of whether she appeals. Le Pen has appealed the decision and a verdict in that case is expected by summer 2026, though chances of the court overturning it are slim. In the meantime, Le Pen is battling hard to keep her…
It also introduces the crime of injuring a police officer while on duty and allocates up to €10,000 to cover legal fees for officers investigated over their conduct on the job. “With the final approval of the Security Decree in the Senate, the Government takes a decisive step to strengthen the protection of citizens, the most vulnerable groups and our men and women in uniform,” Meloni said on Wednesday. Other measures include longer sentences for inmates who riot or disobey orders in prisons and migrant detention centers, and new rules targeting pickpockets on public transport and especially those claiming pregnancy…
By Abby Chitty with EBU Published on 04/06/2025 – 18:54 GMT+2Left Party MP Cansin Köktürk was thrown out of a German parliament plenary chamber on Wednesday for wearing a t-shirt with the word “Palestine” printed on it, a move deemed a political statement by the parliamentary leadership.Bundestag President Julia Klöckner intervened during the session, reminding MPs that political messages on clothing are not permitted in the chamber.”We have agreed and these are the clear rules of the House,” Klöckner said, “that neither stickers nor any other form of denomination on T-shirts play a role.”She continued, “I have asked Ms. Köktürk to change her…
As evidence, the SBU released a collection of new video footage that shows Ukrainian drones hitting engines, antennas, wings and other parts of different Russian strategic and reconnaissance aircraft at four military airfields located thousands of kilometers inside Russia. Russia frequently uses those airfields to bomb Ukraine’s cities with ballistic and cruise missiles. “Among the hit aircraft were ‘A-50,’ ‘Tu-95,’ ‘Tu-22,’ ‘Tu-160,’ as well as ‘An-12’ and ‘Il-78,’” the SBU said, claiming that its clandestine operation caused more than $7 billion worth of financial damage to Russia. Open source intelligence experts and journalists have confirmed, using newly released satellite footage,…
Explosions followed air raid sirens just after 2.28 am, with fires breaking out across the city. One drone crashed in a park but was safely disarmed. A man was injured, and several fires erupted in industrial areas, including tyre warehouses, sending thick smoke over the western outskirts.In Sumy, rescuers came under repeated attacks while responding to earlier strikes that injured one person and damaged homes and vehicles.Elsewhere, a drone strike on Odesa left one person injured. Ukraine’s air force said Russian forces launched a barrage of 95 drones; 61 were intercepted or jammed.
Zwischenfall im Plenarsaal des Bundestags: Erst verweist Julia Klöckner eine Linken-Abgeordnete des Saales, weil sie ein Oberteil mit Palästina-Aufdruck trägt. Kurz danach gibt es „Free Palestine“-Rufe von der Zuschauertribüne. Rasmus Buchsteiner und Rixa Fürsen ordnen die Vorfälle ein. Außerdem geht es um die geplante Reform des Bürgergelds. Arbeitsministerin Bärbel Ba äußert sich ausführlich dazu – dabei macht sie eine Ansage an Sozialbetrüger und schickt eine Absage an die Union. Personalie: Der frühere außenpolitische Berater von Olaf Scholz wird Staatssekretär im Verteidigungsministerium. Warum sich die Begeisterung darüber in Grenzen hält, dass Jens Plötner diesen neuen Job bekommt, erklärt Hans von der…
The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Wednesday delayed voting on a report evaluating North Macedonia’s progress towards accession to the EU.The report was set to be voted on alongside files for other countries vying for EU membership. While the reports for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Georgia were adopted, North Macedonia’s was blocked due to a last-minute disagreement among political groups.The MEP responsible for writing the report, Austrian Thomas Waitz from the Greens/EFA group, announced the decision to delay the vote following a request from the European People’s Party (EPP), the largest group in the Parliament.The EPP withdrew its…