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France Orders Deportation of Russian Media Figure Xenia Fedorova

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France has issued a deportation order for Russian media personality Xenia Fedorova, the country’s Interior Ministry confirmed. Fedorova, the former head of RT France, has remained in the country since the Russian state-backed broadcaster was banned across the European Union in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

French officials have accused Fedorova of spreading Russian misinformation, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot among those criticising her public role. In recent years, she has become a regular figure on French media outlets CNews, Europe 1 and JDNews, all of which are owned by the CANAL+ and Lagardere groups.

The media companies said they were shocked by the deportation decision and pledged full support to Fedorova. According to reports, her lawyer plans to appeal the order. The case comes amid continued scrutiny of Russian-linked media activities in Europe and ongoing efforts by EU nations to counter disinformation.

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Ceuta Declares Emergency After Surge in Migrant Arrivals

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Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta is facing a humanitarian and security emergency after around 1,500 migrants reached the territory by swimming from Morocco over the past week. Local leader Juan Jesus Vivas said the sudden influx has overwhelmed reception facilities, with hundreds of migrants forced to sleep outdoors and shelters for unaccompanied minors operating far beyond capacity.

Vivas described the situation as a national emergency and called for an immediate, coordinated response from the Spanish government. In response, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska is set to visit Ceuta to meet local authorities as the government works to strengthen border controls and expand humanitarian assistance. Moroccan security forces are also helping to reduce further arrivals.

Officials said migrant arrivals are averaging about 300 people per day, raising concerns of a repeat of the 2021 migration crisis, when nearly 10,000 people entered Ceuta within days. Vivas also highlighted the human cost of the dangerous sea crossings, noting that dozens of bodies have been recovered in recent months, and urged reforms to Spain’s immigration laws following a recent Supreme Court ruling on migrant returns.

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Google Faces Wave of Lawsuits After EU Fine

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Google is facing a growing number of private lawsuits across Europe after receiving a record $1 billion fine under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Legal experts say the ruling could encourage more companies to seek damages, with total claims potentially reaching $10 billion. The EU found that Google unfairly favored its own services and restricted app developers from directing users to cheaper payment options outside Google Play.

Several companies, including price comparison websites and technology firms, have already filed multibillion-dollar claims, arguing that Google’s business practices harmed competition over many years. Google has rejected the allegations, saying the lawsuits are driven by companies seeking financial payouts instead of investing in innovation. More legal actions are reportedly being prepared in multiple European countries.

The new lawsuits add to the billions of dollars in antitrust fines Google has already paid in Europe over the past decade. While recent court decisions have strengthened the position of Google’s rivals, legal experts expect appeals and compensation cases to take several years before reaching a final outcome.

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EU Charges TikTok Over Child Safety Concerns

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The European Commission has accused TikTok of breaching the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), alleging that the platform’s design does not provide sufficient protection for children online. Regulators said some account settings could expose minors to cyberbullying, unwanted contact, and online predators, potentially leaving the company facing a fine of up to 6% of its global annual revenue.

According to the Commission, TikTok allows children to create public accounts and makes it possible for users to discover minors through followers and following lists, even when accounts are private. EU officials said stronger privacy protections for children should be enabled by default rather than requiring users to change settings manually.

TikTok said it would review the findings and continue cooperating with regulators. The company stated that accounts belonging to users under 18 are private by default and include more than 50 built-in safety and privacy features, including restrictions on direct messaging for younger teens. TikTok will now have the opportunity to respond before the EU reaches a final decision.

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Poland and Hungary Tighten Foreign Worker Rules Amid Labour Shortages

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Poland and Hungary have introduced stricter measures to limit the employment of non-EU workers as both governments seek to address public concerns over immigration. Poland has reduced work permits for non-EU citizens, while Hungary has stopped issuing worker visas to applicants from several countries, including the Philippines, Georgia, and Armenia.

Business groups and economists have warned that the restrictions could worsen labour shortages and slow economic growth. Many industries in both countries rely heavily on foreign workers due to ageing populations and declining birth rates, with employers saying they are already struggling to fill vacancies.

Companies have also raised concerns about delays in processing work and residence permits, prompting some skilled workers to relocate to other European countries. While the governments say they are balancing economic needs with immigration policies, businesses fear tighter rules could affect expansion plans and long-term competitiveness.

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EU Court Upholds Spain’s Catalan Amnesty Law

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The European Union’s highest court has ruled that Spain’s controversial amnesty law for those involved in Catalonia’s independence movement does not violate EU law. The decision strengthens Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government, as the legislation was central to securing the support of Catalan separatist parties after the 2023 election.

The Court of Justice of the European Union said the amnesty is within Spain’s legal authority and can help reduce political tensions and promote reconciliation. However, it rejected one part of the law that required Spanish courts to suspend certain financial liabilities and legal proceedings within a fixed two-month period while awaiting broader EU decisions.

The ruling could benefit former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, who has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium, though a final decision on whether the amnesty applies to him still rests with Spain’s Constitutional Court. While Spain’s government welcomed the judgment, separatist leaders said the law has yet to be fully implemented for many eligible individuals.

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Britain and EU Sign Gibraltar Treaty to Ease Border Crossings

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Britain and the European Union have formally signed a treaty defining Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status, marking a significant step toward reducing border restrictions and ending years of uncertainty surrounding the British overseas territory. The agreement was signed in Brussels by European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, UK Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno, and Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.

Under the new treaty, Gibraltar residents will be able to cross into Spain using their residence cards without passport stamps, while Spanish citizens can enter Gibraltar using a government-issued identity card. Passengers arriving at Gibraltar Airport will undergo passport checks by both Gibraltar and Spanish border authorities, creating a streamlined system for cross-border travel.

The agreement builds on a deal reached last year and is intended to strengthen cooperation between Britain, Spain, Gibraltar, and the European Union. Gibraltar, a British overseas territory at the southern tip of Spain, has remained a sensitive issue since Brexit. Britain has controlled the territory since the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, making the new accord an important milestone in managing future border and travel arrangements.

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Gibraltar Ends 118-Year Border Controls with Spain

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Gibraltar is set to remove its 118-year-old border controls with Spain from July 15 under a post-Brexit agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The move will allow smoother travel between Gibraltar and Spain, ending decades of routine border checks that often caused long delays for the thousands of cross-border workers who commute every day.

The agreement is expected to boost trade, tourism and employment on both sides of the border. Businesses in Gibraltar anticipate increased visitor numbers, while neighbouring Spanish towns, where many residents depend on jobs and customers from Gibraltar, are expected to benefit from easier movement of people and goods. Gibraltar will also become part of the EU customs union and the Schengen free travel area under the new arrangements.

While the deal is being welcomed as a historic step towards closer cooperation, it also introduces new obligations for Gibraltar. Goods sold in the territory must now comply with EU regulations, and a new transaction tax will gradually replace import duties. Despite concerns about additional paperwork and compliance costs, business leaders say the agreement brings long-awaited certainty after years of Brexit-related uncertainty.

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France to Summon Russian Envoy Over Alleged Cyberattacks

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France has announced that it will summon the Russian ambassador to Paris in the coming days over an alleged cyberattack campaign targeting several European countries, including France. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the attacks were aimed at espionage and sabotage and accused Russia of orchestrating the operation.

Alongside the diplomatic move, France plans to impose sanctions on nine Russian individuals and four Russian entities allegedly linked to the cyber campaign. According to Barrot, the attacks were carried out under the direction of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB).

The announcement comes as the European Union works to finalise its 21st package of sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine. France has previously accused Moscow of launching cyberattacks against the country and says it will continue taking measures to strengthen its cybersecurity and national security.

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Trump Targets Spain and Revives Greenland Claim at NATO Summit

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U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Spain during the NATO summit, calling it a “wasted cause” and a “terrible partner in NATO” while threatening to cut trade ties with the country. Trump accused Spain of failing to meet NATO’s defence spending expectations and expressed frustration over Madrid’s refusal to allow greater U.S. military use of its bases during operations linked to the Iran conflict.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez dismissed the remarks, saying his conversation with Trump at the summit was friendly and focused on topics such as the FIFA World Cup. Spanish officials stressed that relations with the United States remain strong, while the European Union backed Spain, describing EU-U.S. trade as mutually beneficial and pledging to protect the interests of all member states.

Trump also renewed his claim that the United States should acquire Greenland, arguing the Arctic territory is vital for U.S. security. Denmark and Greenland once again rejected the idea, insisting Greenland is not for sale. Despite the disagreements, all 32 NATO members reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance’s collective defence principle, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte describing the summit as a success.

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