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Parliament’s Environment Committee wants to improve air quality in the EU to create a cleaner and healthier environment. Members of the European Parliament voted in favour of setting a stricter 2030 limit for several pollutants to ensure that air quality is not harmful to human health.

Following discussions with the European Commission and national consumer authorities, three major online travel agencies - Edreams ODIGEO, Etraveli Group and Kiwi.com – have committed to refund passengers, if their flight is cancelled, within 14 days.

Environment Committee Members of the European Parliament have adopted their position on protecting groundwater and surface waters from pollution and improving water quality standards. The proposed new law would see the establishment of a watch list of substances of emerging concern.

The Council of the EU is increasing the financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility to ensure the European Peace Facility's long term sustainability, preserve its global geographical scope and the EU's ability to prevent and respond to crises and conflicts.

The EU has confirmed its commitment to strengthen its partnership with Somalia and willingness to deepen strategic cooperation. As the Council approved conclusions on the partnership, it commended the Federal Government of Somalia for its efforts to build peace and stability in the country.

The Commission proposes to mobilise €430 million of additional EU funding, for EU farmers impacted by adverse climatic events, high input costs, and diverse market and trade related issues. Further measures, including higher advance payments of CAP funds are also being proposed.

The EU has adopted an 11th package of economic and individual sanctions to strengthen existing sanctions and crack down on their growing circumvention. This latest package of sanctions will further hinder the Kremlin’s ability to finance and conduct its war of aggression against Ukraine.

Last year, the euro remained the second most important currency globally. According to the ECB, the euro’s share across various indicators of international currency use averaged close to 20% despite the onset of Russia’s war in Ukraine and heightened geopolitical risks.

In the context of increased geopolitical tensions and accelerated technological shifts, the European Commission and the High Representative today published a Joint Communication on a European Economic Security Strategy.

The Commission has proposed to reinforce its long-term budget to help the EU tackle recent unexpected challenges. The budget revision proposes an increase in spending to provide stable financial support to Ukraine, to finance action on migration, and to support investments in strategic industries.

Environment ministers have agreed on a proposal for a nature restoration law. It contains recovery measures that will cover at least 20% of the EU’s land and 20% sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. This now needs to be negotiated with the European Parliament.

The Commission has proposed to set up a dedicated Facility to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and modernisation. Through this, the aim is to make up to €50 billion available to the Ukraine in the form of grants and loans for the period between 2024 and 2027.

The EU and Kenya have agreed an Economic Partnership Agreement. The Agreement will boost trade in goods and create new economic opportunities, with targeted cooperation to enhance Kenya's economic development.

The Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has called on the EU and Member States to put an end to discriminatory practices against young people.

The Commission has proposed new rules to make withholding tax procedures in the EU more efficient and secure for investors, financial intermediaries and EU country tax administrations. The rules will promote fairer taxation, fight tax fraud, and support cross-border investment throughout the EU.

The Commission has proposed new rules to help consumers make sustainable choices when buying mobile and cordless phones, and tablets. At the same time, measures to make these devices more energy efficient, durable and easier to repair were approved by the European Parliament and Council.

MEPs are calling on NATO allies to honour their commitment to Ukraine and pave the way for Kyiv to be invited to join the defence alliance. In the resolution, MEPs stress that they expect the “accession process will start after the war is over and be finalised as soon as possible”.

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the European Parliament outlined the reforms necessary to curb spyware abuse. Based on an investigation into the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware, MEPs say the illicit use of spyware has put “democracy itself at stake”.

The ECB has raised its 3 key interest rates by 25 basis points in a bid to ensure that inflation returns to its 2% medium-term target in a timely manner. According to June macroeconomic projections, Eurosystem staff expect headline inflation to average 5.4% in 2023, 3.0% in 2024 and 2.2% in 2025.