Spain and the European Commission have sent Britain a proposal to keep the Gibraltar land border open as part of a definitive solution settling the post-Brexit status of the enclave. The Spanish-EU proposal includes removing the fence to ensure free flow of people between Spain and the enclave.
Source: Reuters
French prisons have reached record levels of inmates this year, with 72,809 people behind bars, despite there only being 60,700 places available. This overpopulation has led to a decline in prison standards, with some 2,225 prisoners having to sleep on mattresses on the floor.
Source: Euronews
The European Parliament adopted a resolution declaring Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism because of Moscow’s strikes on civilian targets. The resolution was adopted with 494 votes in favor, 58 against and 44 abstentions. The declaration is symbolic but it does call for new sanctions and further isolation of Russia.
Source: Politico
The European Parliament has formally adopted the new EU law on gender balance on corporate boards. By 2026, companies will need to have 40% of the underrepresented sex among non-executive directors or 33% among all directors.
Source: European Commission
Slovenians have voted to prevent the government from appointing people to public television and news organisations. More than 62% of voters gave their approval in the referend. The vote came after complaints that Slovenia's press freedom rights had deteriorated under former populist prime minister Janez Janša.
Source: Euronews
Under the agreement, signed by the British and French home affairs ministers, the British will pay France more than €72 million for the year 2022-2023 to fund increased security at ports. According to the joint statement, an investment will be made “in reception centres in the south of France to deter migrants entering France via the Mediterranean migration route from travelling to the Channel coastline […] and to offer them safe alternatives”. No details on these “safe alternatives” have been given at this stage.
Source: Euroactiv.com
Single mothers and single women are more likely to have problems paying their utility bills than any other group, according to a new Eurofound survey. It found almost half of single mothers (44%) and 31% of single women anticipate difficulties affording energy costs over the next three months. That compares to 26% of single men. The figures reveal the real impact on women of Europe’s 13% gender pay gap and highlight the need for urgent measures to be taken at a national and EU level to shield them from the crisis.
Source: ETUC
Hungary will not support a European Union plan to provide Ukraine with billions in budget assistance next year, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said. Speaking at a conference in Budapest, Orban said that while Hungary condemns Russia’s aggression and supports the Ukrainian people, he is not willing to put Ukraine’s interests before those of his own country.
Source: AP
MH17 was a passenger flight that was shot down over eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew. The three men convicted were former Russian intelligence agents Igor Girkin and Sergey Dubinskiy, and Leonid Kharchenko, a Ukrainian separatist leader.
Source: Euractiv.com