European Union approves new asylum rules and expands abortion funding access

The European Parliament approved a major overhaul of the European Union's asylum system. The new rules create an EU-wide list of 'safe countries' of origin, allow for faster deportations, and establish migrant processing centers.

Separately, the European Commission said existing EU social funds can be used to help people travel to other EU countries for abortion access. This followed a citizens' petition and pressure from left-wing members of the European Parliament.