The EPP Group says it is “shocked” to learn of the death of Alexei Navalny, the 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate. The death of the Russian dissident in prison was announced on Friday and led to condemnation across the world. Reacting, Manfred Weber, a German MEP and Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament,…
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash Climate action Network (CAN Europe) has launched a national energy and climate plans tracker tool which,it says, highlights “disparities” between national climate and energy commitments and the actual emission reductions and energy transition at country level. In the aftermath of the European Commission’s announcement of intending to set a 90% net greenhouse…
Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash The total cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine in the next ten years is $486 billion (€452.8 billion), a new report says. This is up from $411 bn (€383 billion) estimated one year ago. This comes after almost two years of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. This damage is the assessment…
Photo by Jeffrey Riley on Unsplash New rules are set to be introduced with the aim of combating the scourge of child abuse. This comes after the European Parliament and the Belgian Presidency reached an agreement that extends a temporary derogation to EU ePrivacy rules by 20 months to allow the detection of Child Sexual Abuse Material online. The…
Photo by Thomas Charters on Unsplash Production in the paper and board industry suffered a second consecutive year of contraction, decreasing by 12.8%, a new report says. After a year 2022 marked by sky high energy prices, the decrease in production in 2023 continues to be more pronounced even than it was during the Covid-19 crisis (-4.7% in…
Photo by Nong on Unsplash MEPs have backed new rules that aim to decrease the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU single market and protect children better from toy-related risks. On Tuesday, the parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee approved its position on an update of EU rules on toy safety unanimously, with 37 votes…
Photo by Max Bender on Unsplash The European commission has spelled out how it intends to distribute humanitarian aid this year. With almost 300 million people estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2024, the EU says it is “once again” reinforcing its commitment to support the most vulnerable globally. The Commission has therefore adopted its initial annual humanitarian…
Photo by Umberto on Unsplash Negotiators from the European Parliament and EU Member States have agreed on the EU-Gigabit Infrastructure Act. This is a new law which seeks to speed up the expansion of fibre connections across Europe. The move has been welcomed by some but not so by others. Centre right MEP Angelika Winzig, the lead negotiator…
Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash EU Institutions have reached a final agreement on the reform of the Economic Governance Framework. On Saturday, the EU Commission said it welcomed the deal between the European Parliament and the Council on what it calls “the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU’s economic governance framework since the aftermath of…
Calling all romantics out there. That one day of the year when we can all maybe indulge our loved ones is fast approaching. Yes, it is Valentine’s Day again very soon so why not try to hit the spot by treating your beloved to something tasty at a restaurant? Eating establishments all over Brussels have…
