The result of an election in Belarus is usually a foregone conclusion, but the run-up to polling day is rarely dull, and this year has certainly been no exception. Presidential elections are due to be held in Belarus on Sunday 9 August. Already since June there have been ongoing street protests by opposition democratic parties…
EU member states have renewed the so-called EU terrorist list, which sets out the persons, groups and entities subject to restrictive measures aimed at combating terrorism. The list was updated on Friday. Persons, groups and entities on the list are subject to the freezing of funds and other financial assets in the EU. It is…
The Council has decided to impose restrictive measures against six individuals and three entities responsible for or involved in various cyber-attacks. These include the attempted cyber-attack against the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) and those publicly known as ‘WannaCry’, ‘NotPetya’, and ‘Operation Cloud Hopper’. The sanctions imposed include a travel ban and an asset freeze. In addition, EU persons and entities are forbidden from making funds available to…
The Commission has proposed Erasmus+ funding for five new platforms of Centres of Vocational Excellence, to meet the needs of an innovative, inclusive and sustainable economy. Funded through Erasmus+ for a maximum budget of €4 million each, the platforms will be active in sectors such as green innovation and urban greening, microelectronics, and the furniture…
In letters to EU Ministers responsible for Cohesion policy, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, have clarified how Member States can make use of the REACT-EU fund. The fund is part of Next Generation EU and will focus on supporting labour market resilience, jobs, SME’s and low-income…
President Ursula von der Leyen has discussed over the phone with the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli and with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as chair of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union, about the next steps in the adoption of the EU’s recovery package NextGenerationEU and the next Multiannual Financial Framework….
Imagine opening a brand new restaurant and then, a few days later, being hit by the biggest health crisis in living memory. Well, that is exactly what happened to a couple of brothers who opened their new eatery just a fortnight before the lockdown started. Of course, Costa and Vassili Karagianis were not to know…
Fifty-five grantees of the European Research Council (ERC) have been awarded Proof of Concept funding to explore the commercial or societal potential of their research results. The grants are part of the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon 2020. The awarded projects cover a variety of topics e.g., making gecko-inspired gripping technology to help automate…
The commission says that the EU has continued its global deliveries of medical supplies and personal protective equipment. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, in response to a request from Kenya, Slovakia has sent 20,000 protective face masks, 50,000 coronavirus test kits, hand disinfectant and laboratory supplies to the country. On its return to Europe…
On World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, communities across Belgium will come together to pay homage to the work of first responders to human trafficking. These are the people who work in different sectors – identifying, supporting, counselling and seeking justice for victims of trafficking, and challenging the impunity of the traffickers. With the ongoing…
