Low- and middle-income countries could soon leapfrog high-income countries in their adoption of new AI-enabled technologies in health, suggests a report led by the Novartis Foundation and Microsoft. Technologies such as mobile phone trading platforms, e-banking, e-commerce, and even blockchain applications have often been adopted faster and more comprehensively in low- and middle-income countries than…
The European Parliament Agriculture and Rural Development Committee has adopted MEP Petri Sarvamaa’s (EPP/FI) own initiative report on the European Forest Strategy. The Confederation of European Paper Industries (Cepi) welcomes the adopted report and encourages the European Parliament to adopt it in plenary session this month of October. The report manages to strike a balance between the many…
The British Meat Processors Association has urged the UK government to address its concerns about the current Brexit talks. On Wednesday, its CEO Nick Allen said, “Despite reassurances from our PM last week that “we’re ready for any eventuality”, the reality is that many key issues remain unresolved. Brexit contingency preparations are proceeding at a snail’s pace and…
Socialist group leader Iratxe Garcia has added her voice to those calling for next week’s plenary in Strasbourg to be scrapped. She joins other members who fear that having hundreds of MEPs, staff and others converge on the city could pose a serious health risk and lead to the coronavirus spreading far and wide. Garcia, a Spanish…
Commission President von der Leyen has proposed Mairead McGuinness as candidate to succeed the resigned Irish Commissioner Hogan to the Council and the European Parliament. McGuinness’ portfolio is financial services, financial stability and capital markets union. Commission Vice-President Dombrovskis takes over the trade portfolio from Hogan. The Irish government had proposed to the President of…
A UK gas company, Ascent Resources, has officially begun procedures to start an investor dispute against Slovenia for taking measures to protect its groundwater from fracking, in a case that could see the country paying out tens of millions of euros in damages, under the controversial Energy Charter Treaty. The case has emerged today, as…
The European Commission and External Action Service (EEAS) have not demonstrated that European Development Fund (EDF) aid to Kenya between 2014 and 2020 addressed the country’s development obstacles and focused on reducing poverty, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Projects funded under the previous 2008-2013 EDF delivered outcomes as…
Brussels observers of the fight against corruption in Ukraine have expressed deep concerns about the efficiency of policies put in place in the last five years, during an online dialogue organised by the Brussels Press Club on 2 September, writes Willy Fautré. On 28 August 2020, the Constitutional Court declared a decree by President Petro…
The 20 km of Brussels has grown and transformed into a ‘Run for Europe’. With the help of the European institutions, the European Parliament’s Sport Group and many partners, this virtual race will allow all Europeans, from their homes, to play sports and transform this activity into online donations for charities. More than ever, while…
Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament say they are following the developments of the political crisis in Bulgaria with “great concern.” S&D MEPs state their solidarity with the protesters and their demand for fair elections and upholding the rule of law. This is why the S&D Group will call for a plenary debate in the Parliament. S&D…
