Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has presented the details of the Commission’s proposal for a new Ukraine Facility that, if adopted by the European Parliament and Council of the EU, will mobilise up to €50 billion over four years in the form of both grants and loans. The details were outlined…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash On 22 June the Commission paid €1.5 billion under the “Macro financial Assistance” package for Ukraine, worth up to €18 billion in total. With this instrument, the EU says it seeks to help Ukraine cover its immediate funding needs, with stable, predictable and sizeable financial support in 2023. This support will help Ukraine to continue paying wages and pensions, and keep essential…
Photo by Marek Studzinski on Unsplash The European Commission has authorised three genetically modified maize and renewed the authorisation for four genetically modified crops, three soybeans and one cotton for food and animal feed. The Commission’s authorisation decision does not allow for their cultivation in the EU, only for their use as food and animal feed. These genetically modified crops have gone through…
Photo by Precious Madubuike on Unsplash The EU risks falling behind in its bid to become a global battery powerhouse, according to a new report published by the European Court of Auditors. It says it is true that the EU’s industrial policy on batteries has been promoted effectively in recent years. But access to raw materials remains a major…
Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash Russia has triggered an environmental disaster that has become a threat to millions of Europeans Russia is using terrorist attacks as tool of warfare. At this stage of the unprovoked war against Ukraine, Russian forces have weakened to the point where they cannot hold previously occupied territories. A lack of weapons and…
Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash Member states have given the green light for a “massive expansion” of renewable energies.After months of blocking, the Council decided to tighten the EU Renewable Energy Directive. Campaigners have greeted the news saying “an investment boom across the EU will be the result.” German Greens MEP Sven Giegold says the revised EU…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash MEPs have call on NATO allies to “honour their commitment” to Ukraine and pave the way for Kyiv to be invited to join the defence alliance. In the resolution, adopted with 425 votes in favour, 38 against with 42 abstentions, MEPs stress that they expect that the “accession process will start after…
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash On 16 June the day of an official visit from an African Peace Delegation, which brought its peace plan to Kyiv, the Russian Air Force carried out a missile strike on the Ukrainian capital. Six Kinzhal air ballistic missiles and six Kalibr cruise missiles were fired. Russia showed its disdain for…
Photo by Malu Laker on Unsplash Young people should receive the same pay and social security benefits as other workers, including the same minimum wages, which is still not the case in all Member States The EU and Member States need to put an end to discriminatory practices against young people, such as low youth minimum wages and…
Photo by Tobias Rademacher on Unsplash The world’s largest air conditioner manufacturer has launched a four-step initiative which, it claims, can help tackle the climate change crisis. Daikin, a Japanese multinational conglomerate company, believes its new campaign will help ensure a “healthy and sustainable environment and contribute to carbon neutrality.” One of the biggest challenges society is to maximize usage…
