Author: Press Room

But first, just in: Mafred Weber, the chairman of the powerful centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), has just told Europe Today that unless the EU and China strike a deal to reduce trading imbalances by October, the bloc is “entering into a phase of conflict” with Beijing. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The EU’s trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said on Monday that the EU would seek a pact with China to address the ballooning trade deficit by October, as concerns mount over the impact of Chinese industrial overcapacity on Europe’s already struggling industries. Weber called for a “fundamentally changed” approach to China. “The…

The era of duty-free shopping from SHEIN, Temu and AliExpress is ending. From 1 July, the EU is scrapping the customs exemption that let parcels worth under €150 enter the bloc tax-free, and introducing a flat €3 duty per item instead. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The change targets a system the Commission says has been quietly distorting the market for years. More than two billion small parcels arrive in the EU annually, most valued below €150; Brussels estimates a large share carry incorrect valuations or unclear safety information. By shipping millions of individual orders straight from China, platforms avoided import duties altogether,…

Published on 30/06/2026 – 8:02 GMT+2 On today’s show: ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Euronews’ Laila Humairah reports from Qatar as US and Iranian delegations return to Doha for fresh talks aimed at turning their interim agreement into a lasting peace deal. Euronews’ Angela Skujins examines the outcome of high-stakes EU-China trade talks in Brussels after Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič set an October deadline to resolve key disputes with Beijing. Euronews’ Mared Gwyn speaks to European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño about the bank’s record €3 billion commercial loan to Airbus and what it means for Europe’s competitiveness. Euronews’ Jakub Janas explains why…

Published on 30/06/2026 – 9:00 GMT+2•Updated 10:40 Serbia is experiencing a monumental political shake-up but it looks more like a calculated strategy from a politician who has dominated Serbian politics since 2012. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT For over eighteen months, student-led demonstrations have shaken Belgrade. This powerful protest movement erupted after a tragic railway station canopy collapse in Novi Sad killed sixteen people, exposing, according to students and opposition parties, systemic state corruption. And Vučić is launching a tactical pivot. Barred constitutionally from seeking another presidential term in 2027, experts expect him to return to power by running for prime minister instead.…

The number of people living in cities worldwide has grown dramatically. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT More than 80% of the world’s population now lives in towns and cities, according to a United Nations report — and this figure is set to rise further, with many considering a move to urban areas due to their perceived convenience, superior infrastructure and opportunities. Copenhagen, Lisbon, and Vienna are considered to be the most liveable European cities in the world, according to Monocle’s 2026 Quality of Life survey. Liveability is a measure of a city’s quality of life that can be defined by subjective and objective…

Pope Leo XIV will visit the Italian island of Lampedusa on 4 July in a highly symbolic visit as he continues to advocate for migrants’ rights. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Vatican announced the three-and-a-half hour visit in April which is scheduled to take place on the same day as the pope’s native United States marks Independence Day. Pope Leo XIV has been outspoken on the issue of migration and has already visited one of Europe’s migration hotspots, Spain’s Canary Islands, where he stressed the need for a shared response to one of the archipelago’s biggest challenges. The pontiff arrived in Gran…

Published on 30/06/2026 – 11:32 GMT+2•Updated 14:21 After the national team’s embarrassing World Cup exit, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has caused astonishment with a post on the platform X. The chancellor praises the national team: “Even though going out hurts: what a match. With your commitment and team spirit at this World Cup you have thrilled our country. We are proud of you.” ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Merz’s post has attracted heavy criticism in the comments. Comedian Oliver Pocher also weighed in beneath the chancellor’s post on the social media platform Instagram. “I hope the account has been hacked. But it fits the…

More than 1 million undocumented migrants in Spain have sought legal status under a scheme that has defied a wider European crackdown on irregular immigration, the government said on Tuesday, the final day for submissions. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The vast scheme was predicted to benefit around 500,000 people, mostly from Latin America, when the left-wing government launched it in April. “The more than one million applications submitted…show how necessary this recognition of rights and responsibilities was,” Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said at an event in Madrid. Sánchez has become a standard bearer of more open immigration policies as his European…

Published on 30/06/2026 – 21:47 GMT+2 The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) said on Tuesday they were conducting raids in four countries to probe alleged misappropriation of EU funds by the former far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European parliament. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The EPPO said the searches were “part of an ongoing investigation into the use of EU funds by a former political group of the European Parliament between 2019 and 2024.” The ID group was formally disbanded after elections in 2024 and was succeeded by a new grouping Patriots for Europe. It contained MEPs from a range…

Published on 30/06/2026 – 14:06 GMT+2 Sinkevičius, a long-serving municipal politician from the central Lithuanian town of Jonava, is the third Social Democrat to serve as prime minister since the party won the 2024 parliamentary election. He replaces Inga Ruginienė, who resigned last week after the ruling coalition was reshuffled. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT “I will strive to be a Prime Minister who unites rather than divides, who listens and is not afraid to make decisions,” Sinkevičius told parliamentarians. The 42-year-old politician now has 15 days to form a cabinet and prepare the government’s programme, both of which must be coordinated with…