Classic Hearse Is Not Just for Halloween

Some might see it as a dying trade but passion for classic hearses is very much alive and kicking. The funeral car is, of course, normally associated with sad and sorrowful occasions when we bid a final farewell to loved ones. But have you ever wondered what happens to these vehicles when they themselves come…

World Cannot Afford to Fail

COP26

European Parliament President David Sassoli, speaking ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, says the world “cannot afford” to fail at this week’s big summit “In just a few hours COP26 will begin in Glasgow. We cannot afford for it to fail. The UN Emissions Gap report makes clear that the current national plans to…

EU Digital Covid Certificate Needed to Enter Parliament

Digital Covid Certificate

Parliament’s Bureau decided that the request to present an EU Digital COVID Certificate to access Parliament’s buildings will be extended to all people wishing to enter. As of 3 November, all people entering Parliament’s buildings in its three places will be requested to present a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate, including journalists. The EU Digital…

Banking Regulation Reform

Banking Regulation Reform

The European Commission has published its proposal to reform banking regulation, inline with international agreements on banking regulation (Basel III). The revisions to the Capital Requirements Directive and Capital Requirements Regulation are aimed at preserving financial stability by addressing the systematic underestimation of risks, and ensuring that banks have sufficient capital to avert another crisis…

Industry Committee Adopts New Draft Text for Cybersecurity Directive

Industry Committee vote on Cybersecurity Directive

The new draft law would set tighter cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing. According to the legislative text adopted on Thursday by the Industry Committee, EU countries would have to meet stricter supervisory and enforcement measures, and harmonise their sanctions regimes. Compared to the existing legislation, the new directive would…

Tackling Shortages of Medicines

Medicine shortages

The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on Thursday to make the European Medicines Agency more effective in tackling shortages of medicines and medical devices. The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) capacity to manage the availability of medicinal products and medical devices will be strengthened with the creation of two “shortages steering groups”,…

New Industrial Strategy for Europe

European Industrial Strategy

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in Europe’s economic landscape, notably regional inequalities, skills gaps and risks to the single market and supplies of strategic goods. In the light of these lessons, the European Commission has updated its blueprint for a greener, more digital and competitive industrial landscape, the New Industrial Strategy for Europe. In…

Organ Harvesting in China Prompts Call for Olympic Boycott

Organ harvesting

Fresh concern has been voiced about what has been called the “forced organ harvesting industry” in China. A conference in Brussels, called “China: forced organ harvesting and the CCP”, was told that China conducts “thousands” of such transplants every year and the practice amounts to a “crime against humanity.” Many of those targeted for the…

Charles Michel on COVID-19: “We must learn new ways of working together.”

Charles Michel

EU council president Charles Michel has said the virus exposed “the gaps in our national preparedness.” In a speech at the world health summit, he said, “just last week we had our latest European Council meeting. I have now chaired over 16 meetings where the 27 EU Leaders have addressed COVID-19. And I can tell you…