Ryanair has canceled over 300 flights on Thursday due to a strike by French air traffic control workers, impacting around 50,000 passengers across Europe. The airline is calling on the EU to protect overflights during such strikes, allowing other controllers to manage flights in French airspace. Despite some unions calling off the strike, disruptions are still expected due to late withdrawals and ongoing negotiations with other unions.
Labour’s vow to renationalize the rail network within five years, if elected, dominates headlines alongside other pressing issues: Tory defense spending debate, EU defense spending challenges, Brussels’ security supplier raid, underage drinking concerns in England, stabbing incident at a Welsh school, death of Princess Beatrice’s ex-boyfriend, and a study linking full English breakfasts to insomnia.
Emmanuel Macron is plotting to replace Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission, according to reports. The French President is reportedly in talks with other EU leaders about possible alternatives to the German politician, with former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi emerging as a potential contender. Macron is said to be unhappy with von der Leyen’s performance as president, believing that she has “over-politicised” her role. Several EU leaders are also said to be dissatisfied with von der Leyen’s performance, particularly her handling of trade negotiations, climate change, and relations with the US.
London’s façade of familiarity masks deep disquiet stemming from Brexit, creating a near-universal expectation of Labour’s victory in upcoming elections. The United States faces a similar immigration debate, leading to the rise of right-wing sentiments in both countries. Brexit, predicated on false promises, has led to economic contraction and public service collapse. Despite these drawbacks, some relish the inconvenience in exchange for reduced immigration. Nevertheless, a third of Britons now express regret over Brexit, acknowledging its detrimental impact. The Labour Party cautiously avoids embracing rejoining the EU but faces a dilemma as its support includes Brexit proponents. The UK’s fair play ethos persists, even amid Brexit’s challenges, while the United States grapples with a lack thereof.
Spotify has submitted a new update to its App Store app in the European Union that includes pricing information for users, as required by the European Commission’s ruling against Apple’s App Store policies. The update also includes instructions on how to subscribe to Spotify outside the App Store, but does not include a direct link to Spotify’s website. Spotify has also announced that it will not opt into the new business terms offered to developers in the EU in response to the Digital Markets Act, which would allow Spotify to use alternative payment methods and pay lower commissions to Apple.
The European Parliament has approved stricter standards to measure and monitor air pollutants, marking a significant step towards cleaner air in EU cities. The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) sets a zero-pollution goal for 2050 and introduces interim air quality standards for 2030 that closely align with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The new law aims to reduce premature deaths caused by air pollution, estimated at 300,000 annually in Europe.
The European Union has taken a significant step towards protecting marine life beyond national borders by ratifying the High Seas Treaty. This agreement aims to safeguard biodiversity in international waters and the seabed. The EU’s endorsement is a major boost, as it played a key role in treaty negotiations. The treaty requires 60 countries to ratify it before it comes into effect. With 89 countries having signed and four ratified so far, the EU’s ratification brings the total closer to the target. This move sends a strong signal that the EU prioritizes ocean protection and encourages other nations to follow suit.
The European Parliament has approved a proposal to withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty, an international agreement that protects energy investments. The treaty has been criticized for undermining efforts to combat climate change, as it allows energy companies to sue governments over policies that damage their investments. Several EU member states, including Denmark, France, and Germany, have already announced plans to leave the treaty, and the final decision is expected to be made in May. The EU’s withdrawal would significantly weaken the treaty, which currently has 50 signatories. The treaty secretariat has not responded to a request for comment, but Green EU lawmaker Anna Cavazzini has called the treaty “absurd” and said that it has “cost citizens billions in taxpayers’ money in the form of legal costs before private arbitration tribunals and compensation payments to multinational corporations.”
Moldovan authorities have seized over $1 million in illegal political financing from a Moscow-backed political group. The funds were confiscated from approximately 150 individuals at the Chisinau airport upon their return from a trip to Moscow. The political group, known as “Victory,” is opposed to Moldova’s plans to join the European Union. The seizure of the funds raises concerns about Russian attempts to influence Moldovan politics and destabilize the country amidst tensions with Ukraine, where Russian troops are stationed in the breakaway Transnistria region.
An unprecedented campaign has been launched in Europe to expand reproductive rights throughout the region. Led by groups fighting for reproductive freedom in eight countries, the campaign aims to collect 1 million signatures in the coming months to pressure EU leaders into committing to increasing access to abortion services. While legal abortion is generally available in the EU compared to the United States, there are exceptions and restrictions in several countries. The proposed EU mechanism would address these gaps by providing financial support for people to get care internationally if needed. Activists are mobilizing in advance of European parliamentary elections in June, seeking to make abortion rights a key issue for candidates and voters.
