The annual meeting of allied leaders will take place in Vilnius next week. #StateOfTheUnion

Political groups in the European Parliament are on manoeuvres ahead of a key vote on the EU’s proposed Nature Restoration Law on July 12. The draft legislation is seen as key to restoring millions of hectares of degraded land across Europe, but it has already been rejected by three parliamentary committees. Our guest, Utrecht University scientist Andre Faaij, argues that the stalling of the law is a “tragedy”, as what it “wants to achieve is very important for future food production”, as well as for reforestation. Faaij addresses the many potential benefits of restoring damaged habitats, including responsible production of biofuels that could be crucial to Europe’s energy transition and its quest for energy independence.

The public broadcast of police raids on Wagner Group head Yevgeny Prigozhin’s home and office are an obvious attack on the mercenary’s cherished reputation as a straight-talking patriot fighting against corruption – and, experts say, a warning to anyone else who might challenge President Vladimir Putin’s rule.

During almost a week of riots that shook France after the death of Nahel M., killed by police during a police traffic stop and seach, youth associations and elected representatives spent time with young people. Their presence helped lower tensions, but they say the situation remains fragile.

Copenhagen and Oslo top a list of European cities introducing measures to fight air pollution but may not be the cleanest cities yet

In 2022, Spain was the country in Europe worst hit by forest fires. More than 300,000 hectares went up in smoke in almost 50 separate fires. Due to drought and global warming, the Spanish government has decided to start this year’s prevention plan a month and a half early. Across the nation, regional governments, which each have their own firefighting unit, are preparing for the risk of blazes. Our correspondents report from the southern region of Valencia.