This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted two new opinions warning that Europe’s defence ambitions risk falling short unless its industrial base becomes more integrated, better funded and easier to coordinate across Member States. Russia’s war against Ukraine and […]Defence industry needs joint action and stronger coordination to match EU security goals
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted two new opinions warning that Europe’s defence ambitions risk falling short unless its industrial base becomes more integrated, better funded and easier to coordinate across Member States. Russia’s war against Ukraine and […]Social services for persons with disabilities: towards genuine inclusion and independent living
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its March 2026 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an exploratory opinion on how to ensure social inclusion and independent living for persons with disabilities through high‑quality, specialised social services. Building on the UN Convention on […]The EU’s electricity grids must be strong, smart and secure
April 6, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) stressed that the EU needed more decentralised energy and better coordination on electricity grids. Networks should be rapidly digitalised and be aligned with national energy and climate plans. The […]Commission evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework highlights progress and emerging public health challenges
April 3, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has today published its evaluation of the EU tobacco control framework. It assesses the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the Tobacco Products Directive and Tobacco Advertising Directive in protecting public health and ensuring the smooth functioning of the internal market. The […]MEPs examined working conditions of vulnerable groups, firefighters and police in Italy
April 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. An Employment and Social Affairs Committee delegation went to San Patrignano, Foggia and Caserta to look into the working and living conditions of various groups. MEPs from Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee were in Italy from 30 March to 1 April 2026. After […]MEPs conclude fact-finding visit to Lisbon to assess housing affordability
April 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. From 30 March to 1 April, a Housing Committee delegation visited Lisbon in Portugal to review measures tackling the housing crisis with national authorities and stakeholders. Speaking on behalf of the delegation at the end of the visit, Chair Irene Tinagli commented: “Our mission to Lisbon […]EU to deliver €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets to be used for support to Ukraine
April 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Yesterday, the European Union received €1.4 billion in windfall profits generated by the interest on the cash balances originating from immobilised assets of the Russian Central Bank (RSB), held by central securities depositories (CSDs). The receipt of this amount marks the fourth transfer of […]Commission takes preparatory steps on financial support for Ukraine and boosting drone production
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission took preparatory steps for the implementation of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, aimed at securing necessary budgetary support and accelerating urgent defence procurement for Ukraine in 2026 and 2027. The package adopted today includes a proposal for the Council to […]EU reinforces the stability and predictability of its carbon market
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission has today announced a first concrete measure to reinforce the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Today’s proposal, which follows President von der Leyen’s announcement at the March European Council, adapts the ETS’s Market Stability Reserve (MSR) enhancing stability and predictability. The Commission […]Commission opens formal State aid assessment of French support to new nuclear programme
April 1, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that France plans to grant for the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors is in line with EU State aid rules. The opening of an in-depth State aid investigation […]Commission allocates €21.5 million in emergency support to farmers in Bulgaria, Estonia and Hungary
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, Member States endorsed the Commission’s proposal to mobilise €21.5 million from the agricultural reserve to support farmers in Bulgaria (BG), Estonia (EE) and Hungary (HU) affected by adverse weather events during the 2025 growing season. They will respectively receive €7,4 million (BG), €3,3 […]Commission publishes guidance to support implementation of new packaging rules, for a more sustainable and competitive EU packaging sector
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission published guidelines on the implementation of thePackaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to facilitate the uniform application of the new packaging rules across the EU and simplify compliance for economic actors and Member States. The full application of this law […]Commission adopts €1.5 billion work programme to boost European and Ukrainian defence industry
March 31, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission approved today a €1.5 billion work programme under the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) to enhance and modernise Europe’s defence industry, boost production capacity and secure technological advancement and resilience. EDIP tackles pressing challenges in European defence and security by boosting […]Commission approves €144 million French State aid to support HyforSeeds in the production of hydrogen
March 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €144 million French measure to support HyforSeeds to produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen for the fertiliser sector. The measure will contribute to achieving the targets of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Renewable Energy Directive for the […]Commission approves €500 million Luxembourgish cleantech manufacturing capacity State aid scheme
March 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €500 million Luxembourgish scheme to support strategic investments that add clean technology (cleantech) manufacturing capacity, in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy. The scheme was approved […]Commission takes action to ensure complete and timely transposition of EU directives
March 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission is taking action against several EU Member States that have failed to notify the Commission of measures they have adopted to transpose EU directives into their national laws. The deadline to transpose these directives has expired recently. The Commission is sending […]Commission responds to cyber-attack on its Europa web platform
March 30, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. On 24 March, the European Commission discovered a cyber-attack, which affected its cloud infrastructure hosting the Commission’s web presence on the Europa.eu platform. Immediate steps were taken to contain the attack. The Commission’s swift response ensured the incident was contained and risk mitigation measures […]Commission preliminarily finds PornHub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos in breach of the Digital Services Act for allowing minors to access their services
March 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission preliminarily found Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to protect minors from being exposed to pornographic content on their services. Risk assessment The Commission’s preliminary findings indicate that Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos did not diligently identify and assess the risks that their platforms pose to minors accessing their services. Even where risks were identified, Pornhub, Stripchat, […]Commission welcomes historic agreement to reform EU Customs Union
March 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The Commission welcomes today’s agreement between the European Parliament and the Council, delivering a landmark reform of the EU Customs Union. The most ambitious reform of EU customs rules since 1968 introduces new measures for e-commerce and launches a modern, data-driven customs architecture that simplifies procedures and enhances efficiency. With these vital upgrades in […]Commission investigates Snapchat’s compliance with child protection rules under the Digital Services Act
March 27, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has opened formal proceedings to investigate if Snapchat is ensuring a high level of safety, privacy and security for children online, in compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Snapchat may have breached the DSA by exposing minors to grooming attempts […]Future EU Customs Authority to be headquartered in Lille, France
March 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Wednesday, the Parliament and the Council decided to establish the future EU Customs Authority in Lille, France. In line with the agreed procedure, the Parliament and the Council first selected a shortlist of two top locations each on Wednesday morning. After that, the two […]Commission launches new strategy to tackle rising wildfire threat
March 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. As wildfires are getting larger, more frequent, and more destructive, the European Commission is presenting a new integrated approach to wildfire risk management. The strategy covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. This holistic approach will enhance Europe’s resilience against the growing threat of wildfires and […]€34.6 billion in cohesion policy funds reallocated to address EU’s strategic priorities
March 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Member States have successfully reprogrammed €34.6 billion in their 2021-2027 cohesion policy funds towards the EU’s most urgent strategic priorities. These include boosting competitiveness, enhancing defence and civil preparedness, promoting affordable and sustainable housing, improving water resilience, and advancing energy connectivity. This shift in […]SAFE approvals unlock defence funding for Czechia and France
March 26, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Following the approval of the first and second wave of defence funding, the European Commission has cleared two national defence plans under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, further strengthening the Union’s security and readiness. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Czechia and […]EIB Global and Techcombank announce €200 million credit line for climate investments in Viet Nam
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is published in association with European Investment Bank. EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB), and Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) have announced a €200 million financing agreement to accelerate climate action and environmental sustainability projects across Viet Nam. The long-term financing facility aims to bridge the financing […]Deeper EU capital markets need stronger supervision and integration
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. In an opinion adopted at its March plenary session, the EESC calls for more ambitious reforms to integrate Europe’s capital markets and reinforce EU-level supervision, warning that persistent fragmentation is holding back investment, competitiveness and growth. Supporting the European Commission’s proposals […]EU road deaths drop by 3% in 2025
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. Today, the European Commission has released preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2025, reporting around 19,400 deaths. This represents a 3% decrease from 2024, meaning that 580 fewer people died on European roads. Given the increase in vehicles on EU roads and kilometres driven, […]EU and Australia strengthen relations with Security and Defence Partnership and Trade Agreement
March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU and Australia have today announced the adoption of a groundbreaking Security and Defence Partnership. They have also concluded negotiations for an ambitious and balanced free trade agreement (FTA) and agreed to launch formal negotiations for the association of Australia to Horizon Europe, […]Commission approves French State aid scheme for production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a French scheme to support the production of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen in line with the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the Clean Industrial Deal. The scheme will also contribute to the […]Commission approves €5 billion Danish State aid scheme to support offshore wind energy
March 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Commission has approved a €5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish scheme to support offshore wind energy in line with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal. This measure will contribute to the transition towards a net-zero economy and reaching the 2030 renewable […]Statement by Commissioner Tzitzikostas on the IMO decision on the Strait of Hormuz
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The EU welcomes the adoption of the International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s Council decision, strongly condemning the threats and attacks by Iran against vessels which affect innocent civilian seafarers. The EU echoes IMO Council’s demands to cease any actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing […]Gender inequality continues to cast a shadow over the media
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. Gender stereotypes continue to be perpetuated and amplified by contemporary media, particularly in the digital sphere. At a conference organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), speakers called for stronger use of EU legal instruments to address the repression […]Deeper EU capital markets need stronger supervision and integration
March 20, 2026 by Leave a Comment
This article is brought to you in association with the European Economic and Social Committee. In an opinion adopted at its March plenary session, the EESC calls for more ambitious reforms to integrate Europe’s capital markets and reinforce EU-level supervision, warning that persistent fragmentation is holding back investment, competitiveness and growth. Supporting the European Commission’s proposals […]
