Internal Market Committee Visits Silicon Valley

Andreas Schwab

Last week a delegation from the Internal Market Committee visited leading tech companies including Google, Meta, Apple, Airbnb, eBay, Paypal and Uber in the Silicon Valley. From 23 to 27 May, an Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee delegation travelled to the Silicon Valley to meet with tech companies, local authorities and academia. MEPs had…

Common Charger for Mobile Devices

Consumers will no longer have to buy a charger together with their new mobile device. Instead, they will be able to use their old one, thus saving money and better protecting the environment from plastic and electronic waste. This will be possible thanks to the adoption of the report on the common charger for all…

Russia Exploits Dual Use Loophole to Source Parts for Lethal Missiles

Roscosmos

The Russian Federation is using cooperation with Western countries in the field of space research in order to source high-tech components for lethal missiles for the Russian Military according to reliable sources from the intelligence community. “Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the RF Armed Forces have launched hundreds of missile strikes on the…

Use of Pegasus Spyware Condemned by EP

Pegasus Spyware

The European Parliament has voted to set up an inquiry committee to investigate the use of  surveillance spyware against citizens, activists and journalists. This follows revelations from a group of journalists that many governments, including from EU Member States, have been using the NSO group’s Pegasus spyware against citizens. The Greens/EFA Group strongly condemns the…

Sustainability of batteries

sustainable batteries

The European Parliament has adopted a set of comprehensive and ambitious rules on sustainability, safety, labelling and information on batteries.  The future of batteries in Europe must be socially and environmentally sustainable. Now the ball is in the Council’s court to match our ambition and finalise its position in order for the new Batteries Regulation…

DLR Terminates Bilateral Cooperation with Russia

DLR Photo Credit

One of the largest research organisations in Europe, the German Aerospace Centre (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) condemned Russia’s hostile actions towards Ukraine and announced ceasing all collaboration activities with Russian institutions.  DLR employs staff from 96 different countries and is committed to engaging in international cooperation to benefit the industry. The organisation…

Suspension of Soyuz launches operated by Arianespace & Starsem

Ariane 6

Arianespace is strictly abiding by the sanctions decided by the international community (European Union, United States of America and United Kingdom) following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. As part of the mandate given by the ESA Member States to Arianespace, the operation of the Soyuz launcher from Europe’s Spaceport (CSG, French Guiana) and from…

Digital Connectivity Vital for Economy and Society

Telecoms infrastructure

CEOs from leading companies have called for large content platforms to contribute to the cost of the European digital infrastructure that carries their services. The plea comes in an open letter from José María Álvarez-Pallete (Chairman and CEO, Telefónica), Tim Höttges (CEO, Deutsche Telekom), Nick Read (CEO, Vodafone), Stéphane Richard (Chairman and CEO, Orange) The letter reads,…

Potential of Space for the Internet

Space based internet

The EPP group has called for more to be done to harness the potential of space for the internet. Massimo Salini MEP, the European Parliament Chief Negotiator on the EU’s Space Programme said the COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of secure internet connections.  “We all know how much broadband connections are important for our lives….