Fine for the Fidesz Group & Blocked EU Veto
Today's news focuses on the financial penalty imposed on the European parliamentary group including Fidesz, the Hungarian government's EU veto regarding Ukraine, and an Ebola case in France. Additionally, severe attacks have hit the Crimean Peninsula, while record heat and wildfires ravage Western Europe.
The Patriots for Europe European Parliament group – of which Fidesz is a member – must repay approximately 277,000 euros (about 110 million forints) due to irregular spending. According to the audit, the parliamentary group did not use public funds in accordance with regulations, so the improperly accounted amount must be returned to the EU budget.
Hungary has prevented European Union member states from urging Ukraine's accession to the community in a joint letter. The government continues to oppose the acceleration of the process, meaning member states were unable to take a unified stand on the issue.
The first patient infected with Ebola has been identified in France, marking the first such case in the country. Although the infection is currently an isolated case, authorities are calling for increased vigilance; the virus causes severe hemorrhagic fever, so those traveling within Europe are advised to stay informed about safety measures.
A severe Ukrainian attack hit the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula, where a power plant exploded, leaving the city of Sevastopol without electricity. Meanwhile, heat exceeding 44 degrees is raging in Western Europe, causing wildfires to break out in several places and forcing nuclear power plants to operate at reduced capacity.
For more details and other news – such as the possibility of a British return to the EU or artificial intelligence hacking into US government systems – visit the News section of the application.