Spain’s Cabinet has officially recognized a Palestinian state, signaling a deepening rift between the European Union and Israel. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the historic decision on May 28th, stating its aim to facilitate peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Ireland and Norway also followed suit, recognizing Palestine later that day.
Talks are underway between Thailand and the European Union (EU) for a free trade agreement that could reshape bilateral trade and boost economic cooperation. This potential agreement would cover areas such as business, services, and supply chains, with bilateral trade reportedly reaching nearly one billion euros on a weekly basis. The proposed agreement could also include comprehensive measures covering intellectual property, government procurement, and e-commerce.
In a significant move, the European Parliament has overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning Iran for its attacks on Israel and affirming Europe’s commitment to Israel’s security. The resolution passed with 357 votes in favor and 20 against.
French President Emmanuel Macron is preparing to address the European Parliament with a speech outlining his vision for a more assertive European Union. The speech comes ahead of pivotal European Parliament elections in June and is expected to focus on strategic and geopolitical issues facing Europe, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Macron is expected to prioritize discussions on Russia’s war in Ukraine and advocate for European solidarity with the country. He is also likely to rally support for his centrist Renaissance party ahead of the elections.
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.
