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- Pope Francis recovers after lung surgery at Gemelli hospital in Rome
- Federal IVF programme aimed at unifying diverse approaches, experts say
- Katie Zacharia dismissed as White House press secretary after five-day tenure
- Protests erupt in Iran against government’s handling of public health crisis: reporting varies
- London Underground closures this weekend affect Piccadilly, District and Overground lines
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EU
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defended his government’s migration policy at the European Council summit, countering criticism from Czech, Danish, and Austrian leaders. He asserted Spain effectively manages irregular immigration, highlighting successful interceptions and returns, while rejecting claims of facilitating secondary migrant movements within the EU.
MEP Rihard Kols has condemned US President Donald Trump’s deal to lift restrictions on Russian diesel, labelling it a “very bad signal.” Over 100 MEPs urge the EU to uphold support for Ukraine and impose an outright ban on Russian oil and gas imports.
Elon Musk clarified that any disruptions in Ukraine’s use of the Starshield satellite communications system are under the authority of the US government, not SpaceX. His comments follow concerns from Ukrainian officials regarding speed limits affecting military operations, amid ongoing conflict with Russia.
Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar indicated that EU funds could soon be released to Hungary following productive talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Their discussions addressed unlocking billions in frozen funding, necessary for economic support, amid a looming August deadline.
As EU countries debate the European Commission’s proposal, China is urging national governments to abandon the planned law. Beijing has warned that failure to comply will lead to countermeasures, highlighting escalating tensions between the EU and China over regulatory standards.
EU FOCUS THIS MORNING
Europe addresses ongoing energy and security challenges
as imminent discussions on sanctions and reforms continue.
The European Parliament has adopted its stance on the EU long-term budget, advocating for a 10% increase and the implementation of EU-level taxes. Members of the European Parliament are prepared for rigorous negotiations as discussions regarding the budget for the 2028-2034 cycle progress.
Relations between Hungary and its neighbours deteriorated ahead of the 12 April election, which saw newcomer Magyar defeat long-standing nationalist leader Viktor Orbán. This political shift marks a significant change in Hungary’s approach to regional relations and governance.
The European Commission is shifting towards a firmer stance on China, spurred by China’s threat of retaliation against the EU’s Made in Europe legislation. On 29 May, EU Commissioners will debate a new strategy amid rising pressures from industry and economic threats perceived from Beijing, signalling potential changes in trade policy.
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