The EU has suffered a setback to its flagship climate change plans after political factions failed to agree on levying more punitive costs on polluters.
A deal to bring transport and commercial buildings under the umbrella of a pay-for-pollution scheme fell apart on Wednesday, as environmentalists accused their rivals of sabotaging the plans.
Amid acrimony in the European Parliament, Green MEP Michael Bloss said right-wing politicians had “massively scaled down” the proposals by pushing through amendments that would have prolonged free allowances for companies.
As a result, the Greens teamed up with left-wing parties to vote down a package they regarded as compromised, and “the negotiations have to start again from scratch,” Mr Bloss said.
The centre-right European People’s Party said it supported the EU’s green ambitions but that some free allowances were needed to protect jobs.
“We will not make the climate transition if we destroy jobs and industry in Europe,” the party said. “What happened during the votes today is what happens when pro-Europeans do not work together sufficiently.”
This surprise setback led to votes being cancelled on other parts of the EU’s climate agenda, known as Fit for 55 because it is meant to bring about a 55 per cent cut in emissions by 2030.
The longer-term aim is to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and limit global warming to 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels, as envisaged by the Paris Agreement.
Other EU proposals include a carbon border tax, meant to transform global trade by encouraging exporters outside the bloc's borders to reduce their carbon footprint.
The parliament’s environment committee is expected to meet next week to reconsider carbon pricing after the failure to find a consensus.
MEPs did agree on one of the most prominent Fit for 55 measures — a proposed ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2035.
The measure passed by 339 votes to 249 at the session in Strasbourg, France, and essentially limits future sales to emissions-free, all-electric models.
“This is how the combustion engine joins the steam engine at the scrapyard of history,” said left-wing MEP Monika Benova.
Approval by the relatively weak parliament is only one step on the EU’s legislative journey. A final deal would have to be negotiated with the bloc’s 27 governments and the European Commission.
Peter Liese, the centre-right MEP with the job of steering the carbon pricing reform, complained that the parliament had ceded the initiative to the 27 national capitals.
"It is a bad day for the European Parliament," he said.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- 600-seat auditorium
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yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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