Author: Press Room
The European Union is becoming increasingly dependent on the Arctic for its climate transition and defence goals and the bloc should mobilise efforts to use its own critical raw materials in the far North to cut dependencies on China, according to a European Commission official. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Speaking at an event on the EU’s Arctic strategy on Tuesday, the bloc’s special envoy for Arctic affairs, Jyrki Katainen, argued that the war in Ukraine, China’s growing influence and changing US policy had fundamentally altered the region’s geopolitical and economic importance. “We are becoming increasingly dependent on the Arctic, economically and militarily.…
Ringing school bells marked the start of the new year academic year in France on Tuesday. This year, the government has introduced a string of unprecedented measures, including a ban on mobile phones in primary and secondary schools, as well as new steps to tackle sexual violence. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT For the first time, France’s annual school questionnaire on bullying — which has been handed out to pupils since 2023 — will include questions on sexual violence. Pupils will be able to choose whether or not to they wish to remain anonymous in this questionnaire, which will be distributed in November.…
Published on 01/09/2026 – 16:07 GMT+2 The UK recorded its hottest summer on record in 2026, the country’s national weather service announced on Tuesday, marking its second record-breaking summer in a row. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT “An average mean temperature of 16.5°C puts this summer as provisionally the warmest on record, as well as the warmest season for the UK in a series which goes back to 1884,” the Met Office said. That beats the previous record of 16.1°C , set in 2025, and put the year comfortably above the next three hottest summers – 2018, 2006, and 2003 – which all…
The migrant crisis in Ceuta continues to dominate Spain’s political agenda. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved an extraordinary funding package worth €309 million for the autonomous city, aimed at safeguarding jobs, supporting businesses, strengthening security and ensuring public services. Government spokesperson Elma Saiz presented the measures alongside First Vice-President Carlos Cuerpo and Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres. The announcement came on the eve of a demonstration in the city that has exposed divisions in the PSOE and prompted Podemos to call a separate anti-racism rally. The package, Cuerpo explained, amounts to around 16% of the…
Following almost a week of relentless Russian attacks on Kyiv and non-stop air raid alerts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark warning to international airlines and insurers: “Russian airspace will effectively be closing.” ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In his evening address on 1 September, Zelenskyy said the consequences of the war Moscow launched more than four years ago could no longer be confined to Ukrainian territory and that Kyiv’s ever-growing drone operations would soon render Russian airspace unsafe. “It was from Russia that the first missiles and the first drones came, and they crossed our country’s border from Russian airspace,” Zelenskyy…
Published on 01/09/2026 – 16:54 GMT+2 The European Union is setting up a new high-level group of political and military leaders from member countries, the UK and Ukraine to work out how to boost Europe’s defence capabilities as threats from Russia escalate. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced the initiative at an informal meeting of defence ministers in Ireland on Tuesday, saying it would help design a new approach to European defence. “The aim is to have some of the brightest minds on security and defence come together and really provide…
By Kirsten Ripper & Euronews Published on 01/09/2026 – 17:52 GMT+2•Updated 18:54 Berlin has blamed Russia for an attempted drone “attack” at Leipzig airport last month. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT In a press conference on Tuesday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said an assessment of the incident “fits the known pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.” NATO member Germany, which supports Ukraine in its fight against Russia, has long accused Moscow of targeting it with a campaign of hybrid attacks involving espionage and sabotage, claims the Kremlin has rejected. Germany has for months reported suspicious drone sightings over military and industrial sites, but an…
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she stands in “full solidarity” with Germany after officials in Berlin formally attributed a high-profile drone incident to Russia at a press conference on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Von der Leyen said she would use a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday to discuss the matter, with additional sanctions to be prepared by foreign ministers at an upcoming meeting. “We will keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts,” she said in a statement posted on social media platform X on Monday. “The German government has taken strong measures.…
The European Commission is reluctant to reopen the sensitive debate on financial support for Ukraine, despite growing doubts about whether the €90 billion loan agreed by leaders last year will last until the end of 2027, as originally conceived. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Brussels intends to disburse €45 billion this year and €45 billion next year. So far, €3.2 billion in budgetary aid and €8.35 billion in military aid have been paid out. “In terms of longevity, that is what is foreseen: that this €90 billion loan should be disbursed (over) the two years,” Paula Pinho, the Commission’s chief spokesperson, said on…
The global apparel and fashion industry is moving in the wrong direction on climate emissions, with greenhouse gas emissions rising 6.3% in 2024 compared to the previous year, despite a growing number of companies investing in renewable energy, cleaner materials and coal phase-outs, according to the Apparel Impact Institute’s latest assessment. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The increase in emissions was driven largely by higher fibre consumption, particularly polyester, putting the European Union’s fashion industry further away from its goal of cutting emissions 45% by 2030 from 2019 levels. Since roughly 80% to 90% of the EU’s fashion footprint lies outside of Europe,…