Jennifer Rankin

Belgium’s national drug commissioner, Ine Van Wymersch, says criminal gangs are using flexible Airbnb-type rentals to store and package drugs, weapons and cash. Recent seizures in Brussels and West Flanders illustrate the problem, while Airbnb says suspicious bookings are a tiny minority and are flagged to authorities. Van Wymersch argues that e-commerce, anonymous communications, cryptocurrency and parcel delivery are also enabling organized crime, which increasingly operates through loose, specialized networks. She advocates targeting criminal finances and money laundering while addressing poverty, housing, education and employment to reduce drug-related violence and prevent Belgium from becoming a narco state.

EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner criticised Spain’s plan to regularise undocumented migrants, calling it a poor signal for Europe, while acknowledging that migration policy remains a national competence. The comments followed an emergency meeting over the Ceuta crisis, in which tens of thousands crossed from Morocco and at least 75 people died, according to Spanish authorities. Ministers broadly endorsed measures proposed by Ursula von der Leyen to strengthen external borders, combat smuggling, improve returns, expand cooperation with non-EU countries and develop early-warning systems. The meeting also exposed continuing divisions over border controls, the Schengen area, alleged disinformation and whether the EU migration pact provides sufficient emergency tools.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen urged the EU to strengthen external borders, improve monitoring and physical barriers, disrupt smuggling networks, expand cooperation with non-EU countries and increase returns after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta from Morocco. Spain said about 69,500 people had returned to Morocco, while 88 people died attempting the crossing. The crisis exposed divisions among EU governments, with Italy, Denmark and other states criticizing Spain’s regularization programme as a potential pull factor; research cited in the report finds no evidence that regularization increases irregular arrivals. Rights groups condemned the EU’s restrictive approach and called for safe legal routes, while Morocco’s role and the prospect of offshore migration centres remained controversial.

Russian spy-ship and shadow-fleet activity near Ireland has exposed the country’s vulnerability as a key hub for transatlantic internet cables, gas pipelines and shipping routes. Ireland’s new maritime strategy and increased defence capital spending signal an effort to end longstanding “sea blindness,” but the navy remains undermanned and under-equipped, with defence spending still the lowest in the EU. Officials and security experts argue that Ireland’s neutrality does not remove its responsibility to protect critical infrastructure on which European economies depend, while domestic politics and public priorities continue to limit support for greater military investment.

EU rules taking effect on 2 August will require companies to visibly label realistic AI-generated or manipulated text, images, video and audio, while also adding digital watermarks to indicate synthetic origins. The requirements cover AI chatbots and public-interest texts without human editorial oversight, but exempt personal content and evidently artistic, satirical or fictional works. New systems must comply immediately, while existing systems receive an additional four months; violations could incur fines of up to €15m or 3% of global turnover. EU lawmakers say transparency is necessary to protect democracy and consumers, while technology industry groups warn that an overly broad definition of deepfakes could make labels ubiquitous and ineffective. Google, Meta and TikTok already operate related labelling or watermarking initiatives, although concerns remain about misleading AI-generated health content and the practical burden of compliance.

Three Greek firefighters died while fighting wildfires in Crete and southern mainland Greece as extreme heat and strong winds fueled fires across southern Europe. Major blazes affected Greece, Spain and France, prompting evacuations, widespread property damage and the deployment of international firefighting aircraft, helicopters, personnel and vehicles. Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the Madrid-area fire had improved after being placed under the highest operational response level, while fires near València remained uncontrolled. Officials and experts warned that climate-driven heatwaves are drying vegetation, extending the fire season and making fires harder to contain, and called for greater investment in prevention measures alongside emergency response.

Firefighters in France and Spain are racing to contain record-scale wildfires before temperatures rise again, with officials warning that hotter weather and strong winds could accelerate the flames. Spain’s largest fire on record has burned about 50,000 hectares, while fires near Madrid have scorched roughly 70,000 hectares. In France, the Gironde fire has burned around 42,000 hectares and contributed to the evacuation of 220,000 people, while a separate Landes fire prompted more than 30,000 evacuations. Wildfires have already burned unprecedented areas across France and Spain this year, which officials and EU representatives link to increasingly frequent heatwaves and the climate crisis. The EU has deployed aircraft, helicopters, firefighting teams and personnel, while Italy and other European countries are providing assistance. Fires and heat are also affecting Portugal and Italy, and smoke from the French fires has significantly worsened air quality in western France.

Wildfires in France and Spain have forced about 375,000 people from their homes, with a major blaze in France’s Gironde region burning roughly 42,000 hectares and threatening the Bordeaux area. Wind, extreme heat and a fire-generated thunderstorm have made the French fire unpredictable, while hundreds of firefighters have been injured and thousands of emergency personnel deployed. Fires near Madrid were coming under control, but new blazes near Valencia and Toledo prompted further evacuations, with one death reported. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez said the Iberian peninsula was experiencing the effects of the climate emergency, while officials warned that 2026 could set a record for wildfire damage across Europe.

A 21-year-old German national, Abdul Ballout, was shot dead by police in Berlin’s Spandau district after allegedly driving a rented minivan into pedestrians near the city’s Christopher Street Day Pride celebrations and attacking people with a machete. One woman was killed and 29 people were injured, forcing the event to end early. Officials identified Ballout as having a history of criminal offences and alleged Islamist radicalisation, while German media reported links to Islamic State; his father rejected any family support for the group and said his son had been brainwashed. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Berlin mayor Kai Wegner called for unity and defended Germany’s free, tolerant society, while European leaders expressed solidarity. The attack has intensified concerns about Islamist violence, far-right hostility and threats to LGBTQ+ people in Germany.

Andy Burnham is expected to inherit Keir Starmer’s UK-EU reset agenda, including proposed agreements on fresh-food exports, emissions trading and youth mobility. European leaders have welcomed his appointment, but negotiations remain difficult: EU states consider the UK’s proposed 50,000 youth-visa cap too low and oppose NHS surcharges and higher foreign-student fees. Deeper economic integration is also constrained because the EU links single-market access to free movement, budget contributions and acceptance of rules without a UK vote. Burnham may offer concessions on youth mobility, but is unlikely to pursue rejoining the single market or reversing Brexit, given immigration concerns among leave-voting constituents.

The European Commission has proposed reforming the EU Emissions Trading System by extending free pollution permits for heavy industry, slowing the annual reduction in permits and allowing some international carbon credits. The changes are intended to protect European competitiveness and encourage domestic clean investment, while also expanding the system to municipal waste, private jets and more flights. Environmental groups and green lawmakers warn that the reforms could permit up to 2bn additional tonnes of CO2 emissions and weaken incentives for decarbonization, whereas EU officials and some centre-right lawmakers argue that greater flexibility is necessary to prevent industry from relocating. The draft must still be approved by the EU member states and European Parliament.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to propose EU-wide age restrictions on social media after experts recommended delaying access to “social media plus” platforms, including services with addictive features, video games and AI chatbots, for children under 13. France, Spain, Greece and other member states are pursuing stricter national limits, while Estonia opposes bans in favor of platform regulation. The experts cited vulnerabilities to addiction, mental-health problems, social comparison and body-image harms, and recommended progressively supervised internet use for younger children. The Commission has also criticized Meta and TikTok over infinite scroll, autoplay, notifications and personalized algorithms; both companies reject the findings. Any EU law would require approval from member states and the European Parliament.

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss possible restrictions on imports from Israeli settlements, but no immediate decision is expected because of divisions over policy toward Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and disagreement over whether unanimity is required. The European Commission has outlined three options: a full or partial import ban, punitive tariffs, or an import-licensing system. Legal scholars, human rights groups and several EU member states argue that only a ban would comply with a 2024 International Court of Justice ruling requiring states to prevent trade that helps sustain Israel’s occupation. Investigations cited in the report allege that settlement products benefit from tax breaks and are frequently mislabelled as Israeli goods. Further consideration may be delayed until October, prompting accusations that the EU is increasing its legal liability by continuing the trade.

EU regulators formally charged Meta with failing to mitigate the mental and physical health risks of addictive design features on Facebook and Instagram, citing autoplay and infinite scroll as contributors to compulsive use, particularly among children. The European Commission argued these practices breach the Digital Services Act and highlighted Meta’s insufficient prevention of under-13s using its platforms. Officials are considering changes including disabling autoplay by default and implementing screen breaks, with potential fines reaching 6% of Meta’s global turnover. The charges come as the EU prepares to issue recommendations on potential social media bans for minors, amid growing pressure from member states.

MCC Brussels, long funded by Viktor Orbán’s government, faces a financial crisis after Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, halted support and launched an investigation into the massive state asset transfers that benefited its parent organisation. The thinktank’s reputation is further strained by accusations of defending Orbán’s corruption, amplifying far‑right narratives, and attacking EU‑funded civil society groups. Its suspension from the EU Transparency Register over undisclosed funding heightens concerns about its credibility. Supporters argue it provides ideological balance in Brussels, while critics see it as part of an alt‑right infrastructure. With funding uncertain and scrutiny increasing, the organisation’s future is in jeopardy.

MEPs from the Greens/EFA group reported being denied full access to Italy’s offshore migrant detention centre in Gjadër, Albania, raising concerns about transparency and conditions inside. Cristina Guarda cited testimonies of isolation, widespread use of psychotropic medication and multiple suicide attempts. Delegates said staff withheld basic information and blocked access to cells. The centres, operated under a costly Italy-Albania agreement and intended to process asylum seekers intercepted at sea, have faced repeated legal challenges over repatriation safety. Italian government officials and the facility’s managing cooperative did not comment, while political figures across Europe called for explanations over the restricted visit.

The UK will cut its tariff‑free steel import quota by 51% from July to address a global oversupply of cheap Chinese steel and support domestic producers, alongside similar EU measures. Imports above the reduced quota will face doubled tariffs of 50%. The government also exempted 11 steel categories from tariffs where no domestic supply exists. Tata Steel and other industry representatives argue the quotas remain too high and risk continued pressure on UK producers, while UK steel users warn of higher costs and limited supply options. The UK and EU coordinated the changes after months of negotiations, with the European Commission saying both sides aim to protect long‑term steel industry viability amid a significant global surplus in supply.

EU institutions quickly stabilised after the Brexit vote, establishing firm negotiating principles and adapting to major global challenges while deepening integration in areas such as borrowing, defence procurement and energy. In contrast, the UK continues to debate its long‑term relationship with the EU, as public opinion among younger voters shifts toward rejoining and several European leaders signal openness to a future return. Analysts argue that rejoining would require a stable, long‑term national consensus, something currently absent amid frequent changes in UK political leadership.

Recollections from participants in the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign describe internal divisions, strategic missteps and contrasting energies between the remain and leave sides. Key figures recount the surprise over Boris Johnson’s decision to back leave, the disorganisation of the remain effort, and the effectiveness of leave’s messaging, including the £350m NHS claim and immigration-focused narratives. Barack Obama’s intervention, the Thames flotilla confrontation, and Vote Leave’s ‘Breaking Point’ poster are highlighted as pivotal moments. Jo Cox’s murder profoundly affected campaigners and halted activity, contributing to an atmosphere of shock and grief. As votes were counted, early results signalled a leave victory, prompting both euphoria among supporters and disbelief among remain figures. David Cameron’s resignation followed swiftly, and Boris Johnson confronted the scale of public anger as the political landscape shifted dramatically in the aftermath of the referendum.

European leaders praised Keir Starmer following his resignation as UK prime minister, prompting the postponement of the planned EU-UK summit. Ursula von der Leyen, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other leaders credited him with strengthening European and Ukrainian security and improving EU-UK relations. António Costa confirmed that the summit would be rescheduled, expressing hope for continuity under Starmer’s successor, with Andy Burnham widely expected to assume the role. Donald Trump issued a sharply critical response focused on energy and immigration, while other allies offered supportive messages. The article also details ongoing diplomatic issues, including disagreements with the US over the use of British bases in Cyprus and the failure to reach agreement on UK participation in an EU defence loans scheme.

Britain’s departure from the EU produced none of the predicted domino effects as no other country pursued exit, and instead more states have sought closer ties or accession. EU officials argue Brexit made decision-making easier, particularly on defence and security, though the bloc misses the UK’s influence on economic and technology policy. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accelerated integration and aligned EU‑UK cooperation on sanctions and military support. Despite gains, internal challenges persist, including weak political leadership in major member states and concerns about authoritarian tendencies from some governments. EU‑UK relations have stabilised, with both sides preparing for a reset summit, but rejoining is viewed as unlikely in the near term.